Polk County, Iowa

Polk County
Polk County Courthouse
Polk County Courthouse
Flag of Polk County
Official seal of Polk County
Map of Iowa highlighting Polk County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°41′06″N 93°34′13″W / 41.685°N 93.5703°W / 41.685; -93.5703
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedJanuary 13, 1846
Named forJames K. Polk
SeatDes Moines
Largest cityDes Moines
Area
 • Total592 sq mi (1,530 km2)
 • Land574 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Water18 sq mi (50 km2)  3.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total492,401
 • Estimate 
(2022)
501,089 Increase
 • Density830/sq mi (320/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.polkcountyiowa.gov

Polk County is located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 492,401.[1] It is Iowa's most populous county, and home to over 15% of the state's residents. The county seat is Des Moines,[2] which is also the capital city of Iowa. Polk County is included in the Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area.[3]

  1. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on March 2, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ United States Office of Management and Budget. "Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses" (PDF). pp. 5, 36. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 14, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2006.