countyscore
36.6
County Score
Lawn Care 86.8Income & Jobs 85.5Soil Quality 77

County Report Card

About Polk County, Iowa

Urban Trade-offs Impact Score

Polk County holds a composite score of 36.6, which is below the national median of 50.0. This reflects the typical trade-offs found in Iowa’s most populous metro area, where high costs offset high incomes.

Below the State Average

At 36.6, Polk County sits well below the Iowa state average of 55.6. Despite being the state's economic hub, high property taxes and environmental risks lower its overall rank compared to rural peers.

Economic Vitality and Health

The county boasts a robust income score of 85.5, with a median household income of $81,621. Its health score of 76.1 also reflects superior access to medical facilities and wellness resources in the Des Moines area.

Heavy Tax and Risk Burdens

High demand leads to a low cost score of 15.4 and a tax score of 5.9, driven by a 1.757% effective tax rate. An environmental risk score of 8.0 also highlights the vulnerabilities associated with urban density.

Best for Career-Focused Urbanites

Polk County is the premier choice for professionals seeking career growth and high-end amenities. Residents here accept higher taxes and living costs in exchange for the opportunities and health services of a major metro center.

Score breakdown

Tax5.9Cost15.4Safety29.8Health76.1Schools47.2Income85.5Risk8Water69.8Weather49.8
🏛5.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠15.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼85.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡29.8
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤76.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓47.2
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧69.8
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤49.8
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨77
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱86.8
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Deep Dives

Polk County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Polk County

via TaxByCounty

Polk County: Iowa's highest tax burden

Polk County's 1.757% effective tax rate ranks in the 80th percentile nationally, significantly above the national median of 1.23%. At $4,364 annually, the median tax bill nearly doubles the national median of $2,690, placing Polk among the nation's most expensive counties for property taxes.

Polk County leads Iowa in tax burden

Polk County's 1.757% effective rate is the highest among all Iowa counties in this comparison and 31% above the state average of 1.344%. The median annual tax of $4,364 far exceeds the state median of $2,160, driven by the county's strong property values centered on Des Moines.

Polk's rates far outpace surrounding counties

Polk County's 1.757% rate is nearly double Plymouth's 1.081% and substantially higher than Poweshiek (1.282%) and Pottawattamie (1.613%). Even among higher-value counties, Polk's tax burden stands out as exceptional.

What Polk County homeowners pay

A median Polk County home worth $248,400 generates roughly $4,364 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, expect $4,498; without one, the bill drops to $4,033.

High-value homes deserve careful review

In high-assessment markets like Polk County, overvaluation is common and appeals are worth pursuing. Request a full assessment breakdown, compare your value to recent comparable sales, and consider filing an appeal if your assessed value appears inflated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Polk County

via CostByCounty

Iowa's urban core tests affordability limits

Polk County's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national average, placing it among the country's more expensive housing markets relative to local incomes. At $1,113 per month, median rents run 37% above the state average, reflecting the Des Moines metro's status as a regional economic hub.

Most expensive county in Iowa by far

Polk County tops all Iowa counties for housing costs as a share of income, with renters spending 16.4%—significantly above the state average of 14.1%. This reflects Des Moines' urban premium, where higher incomes ($81,621 median) still struggle to keep pace with rising rental and ownership costs.

Urban premium over surrounding counties

Polk County's $1,113 rent far exceeds rural neighbors like Poweshiek County ($864) and Pottawattamie County ($970), a 29–52% difference. The premium reflects metropolitan demand concentrated around Des Moines, creating a sharp affordability divide between the city and surrounding agricultural counties.

Ownership costs far exceed rent burden

Renters spend $1,113 monthly while homeowners pay $1,409—a $296 gap reflecting median home values of $248,400, the highest in the dataset. Combined with strong local incomes of $81,621, ownership consumes 20.7% of income for buyers, versus 16.4% for renters.

Urban opportunity with urban housing costs

Relocating professionals drawn to Des Moines' job market and amenities should budget carefully for housing, as Polk County rents and prices run well above Iowa averages. Renters may find better affordability in surrounding counties while commuting, but direct Des Moines living commands a premium.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Polk County

via IncomeByCounty

Polk County Beats National Average

Polk County's median household income of $81,621 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by nearly $6,900. This strong position reflects Des Moines's role as Iowa's economic and employment hub.

Iowa's Top Income County

Polk County's $81,621 median income ranks among the highest in Iowa, exceeding the state average of $69,830 by $11,800. As home to the capital and largest metro area, Polk drives the state's economic performance.

Outpaces Surrounding Rural Counties

Polk County ($81,621) significantly outearns Pottawattamie County ($71,446) and Poweshiek County ($64,837) in adjacent areas. The metro advantage provides diverse job markets and higher-wage opportunities.

Urban Costs Challenge Affordability

Polk County's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio remains manageable, though median home values of $248,400 require substantial household income. Des Moines's higher living costs consume a larger share of income than rural Iowa counties.

Use Metro Advantages to Build Wealth

Polk County residents benefit from higher incomes and diverse employer-sponsored retirement plans in Des Moines's job market. Maximize 401(k) matches, diversify investments, and consider tax-efficient strategies like HSAs to accelerate wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Polk County

via CrimeByCounty

Iowa's metro hub remains relatively safe

Polk County holds a strong safety score of 97.4, outperforming the national average. Its total crime rate of 1673.3 per 100K is lower than the U.S. national rate of 2,385.5.

Meeting the state's safety standards

With a safety score of 97.4, Polk County is just under the Iowa average of 98.3. For the state's most populous county, maintaining a crime rate of 1673.3 is a notable achievement compared to other urban centers.

Urban safety vs rural neighbors

Polk County's rate of 1673.3 is naturally higher than rural Ringgold County's 405.2. However, it is significantly lower than Pottawattamie County's rate of 2748.5 per 100K.

Violent crime stays below national levels

The violent crime rate of 274.0 is lower than the national average of 369.8. Property crime is the most common issue at 1399.3 per 100K, though it remains below the national 2,015.7.

Security measures for city living

Residents benefit from the oversight of 10 reporting agencies across the county. In this urban environment, using smart doorbells and alarms is a practical way to deter property crimes.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Polk County

via HealthByCounty

Polk County's health reflects urban complexity

At 77.2 years, Polk County's life expectancy sits slightly below the U.S. average of 78.1 years, despite housing Iowa's capital and largest metro area. A 17.0% poor or fair health rate indicates that urban density and economic diversity haven't eliminated underlying health disparities.

Urban county trails Iowa state average

Polk County's 77.2-year life expectancy ranks below Iowa's 77.7 average, surprising for the state's most populous and economically robust county. However, its 5.5% uninsured rate nearly matches the state average, suggesting coverage isn't the primary driver of modest health outcomes.

Urban center outpaces rural competitors on access

Polk County's 93 primary care providers per 100,000 residents vastly exceed rural neighbors like Pocahontas (28) and Palo Alto (45), reflecting Des Moines's urban advantage. With 351 mental health providers per 100K—the highest of any county profiled—Polk County offers unmatched behavioral health infrastructure.

Healthcare abundance masks persistent inequity

Polk County's 93 primary care and 351 mental health providers per 100,000 residents create Iowa's densest healthcare network, yet 5.5% remain uninsured and 17% report poor health. This suggests that access infrastructure alone doesn't guarantee equitable outcomes—social determinants and care quality play equally critical roles.

Access Polk's abundant healthcare resources

With 5.5% of Polk County residents uninsured and the state's best provider availability, there's no reason to delay enrollment at Healthcare.gov or through your employer. Security your coverage now and take full advantage of Des Moines's unmatched primary care and mental health resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Polk County

via SchoolsByCounty

Iowa's Largest Educational Hub

Polk County operates a massive network of 132 public schools serving nearly 79,000 students across 9 districts. This robust system includes 83 elementary schools, 22 middle schools, and 16 high schools.

Scaling Education in the Capital Region

The county maintains an 87.9% graduation rate, which aligns with the national average but trails the Iowa state average. Per-pupil spending sits at $7,679, slightly higher than the state average yet well below the national mark of $13,000.

Des Moines Independent and Suburban Leaders

Des Moines Independent is the state's largest district, managing 59 schools and over 30,000 students. Other major suburban districts include Ankeny and West Des Moines, all of which operate without charter schools.

Urban and Suburban Campus Life

This is Iowa's most urbanized system, featuring 69 city schools and 44 suburban campuses. Lincoln High School enrolls over 2,400 students, contributing to a county-wide average school size of 598.

Find Your Home Near Des Moines Schools

With diverse options ranging from urban Des Moines to suburban Ankeny, families find plenty of high-performing neighborhoods. Consider local school scores as a key metric when searching for your next home in the capital region.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Polk County

via RiskByCounty

Polk County faces the nation's significant hazard exposure

At 91.98, Polk County's composite risk score ranks among America's highest for disaster exposure, earning a Relatively Moderate rating well above the national average. This reflects concerning levels across multiple hazard types, particularly tornadoes and flooding.

Iowa's highest-risk county by composite score

Polk County's 91.98 score dwarfs Iowa's state average of 39.68, making it by far the riskiest county in the state. Elevated tornado (98.12), flood (92.14), and earthquake (66.76) risks create a layered hazard environment unmatched elsewhere in Iowa.

Polk faces dramatically higher risk than peers

Neighboring Pottawattamie County (80.44) and Poweshiek County (31.27) both carry substantially lower risk than Polk County. Polk's position as Iowa's urban center (Des Moines) exposes more people and infrastructure to its concentrated hazard profile.

Tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes pose serious threats

Tornado risk (98.12), flood risk (92.14), and earthquake risk (66.76) are all dangerously elevated in Polk County, with tornado exposure nearly maxed on the hazard scale. These overlapping threats create a complex risk environment that demands serious preparedness planning.

Comprehensive insurance is essential for Polk County

Polk County residents must maintain robust homeowners insurance covering tornadoes, hail, wind, and flood damage—with separate flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program if applicable. Establish a family safety plan with multiple shelter options and keep emergency supplies accessible.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Polk County

via WeatherByCounty

A Balanced Mid-Continent Climate Profile

Polk County closely mirrors the national temperature median with an annual average of 50.2°F. Its 36.6 inches of precipitation are typical for the humid continental climate of the American Midwest.

Warmer and Wetter Than Iowa Norms

Polk County is 2.2 degrees warmer than the state average of 48.0°F. It also receives slightly more precipitation than the statewide mean, recording 36.6 inches annually.

A Warm Hub in Central Iowa

Compared to Poweshiek County to the east, Polk is significantly warmer, averaging 50.2°F versus 47.5°F. It also experiences 10 more days of extreme heat annually than its eastern neighbor.

Hot Summers and Steady Snowfall

July averages a warm 75.5°F, contributing to 21 days of extreme heat per year. Winter brings a consistent 33.1 inches of snow and a January average of 21.5°F.

Plan for High Summer Energy Demands

Residents should expect high cooling costs during the 21 days of 90°F+ weather. All-season tires and standard snow tools are sufficient for the 33.1 inches of winter snowfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Polk County

via SoilByCounty

The State Standard for Soil

Polk County’s pH of 6.41 is almost identical to the Iowa state average of 6.43. This creates a perfectly balanced environment that supports a wide variety of Midwestern vegetation.

Silty Texture with Sandy Pockets

The soil contains 45.4% silt and nearly 30% sand, providing better drainage than many neighboring counties. This 29.6% sand content makes the ground easier to work for home gardeners.

High Organic Matter and Productivity

At 4.26%, the organic matter level is well above the state average of 3.81%. This high carbon content contributes to a solid soil score of 77.0, indicating prime agricultural land.

Moderate Hydrology in the Heartland

With an available water capacity of 0.192 in/in, the soil remains consistently moist. Though formal drainage classes are not listed, the sand-silt ratio suggests moderate water movement through the profile.

Abundant Growth in Zone 5b

Polk County sits in Zone 5b, perfect for everything from sunflowers to bell peppers. Start your urban or rural garden now to take advantage of this top-tier Iowa soil.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Polk County

via LawnByCounty

Exceptional Lawn Conditions in Polk

Polk County is a premier spot for lawns, boasting a difficulty score of 86.8, which is nearly 10 points higher than the state average. This high score indicates that maintaining a lush, green landscape is significantly easier here than in most of the country.

Ample Rain for Productive Growth

The county benefits from 36.6 inches of rain and 21 extreme heat days, providing ample moisture for the 3366 growing degree days. With a warm July average of 75.5°F, grass thrives through a long and productive growing season.

Ideal pH for Turfgrasses

A soil pH of 6.41 is nearly ideal for the most popular turfgrasses, requiring very little chemical adjustment. The soil's 29.6% sand and 23.4% clay composition provides a versatile base that supports healthy root structures.

A History of Consistent Moisture

Polk County showed incredible resilience with zero weeks of drought over the past year, though the entire county is currently flagged as abnormally dry. Even with this dry start, the historically consistent rainfall makes this one of the most reliable growing regions in Iowa.

Starting a Premium Polk Lawn

Zone 5b homeowners should choose premium Kentucky Bluegrass or perennial ryegrass for a classic look. Aim to finish your seeding projects well after the April 19 spring frost but before the October 18 fall frost to maximize growth.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Polk County's county score?
Polk County, Iowa has a composite county score of 36.6 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Polk County rank among counties in Iowa?
Polk County ranks #96 among all counties in Iowa on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Polk County, Iowa?
The median annual property tax in Polk County is $4,364, with an effective tax rate of 1.76%. This earns Polk County a tax score of 5.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Polk County?
The median household income in Polk County, Iowa is $81,621 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Polk County earns an income score of 85.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Polk County, Iowa a good place to live?
Polk County scores 36.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #96 in Iowa. The best way to evaluate Polk County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Polk County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.