Polk City, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Polk City, Iowa had a total population of 6,037, the 66th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $164,389, which is 119% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 119% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Iowa.
- 44.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
Polk City Quick Facts
How Polk City Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,833 | 6,037 | +3.5% |
| Median household income | $163,000 | $164,389 | +0.9% |
| Median home value | $385,000 | $414,800 | +7.7% |
How Polk City Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Polk City Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 212,421 | $65,932 | 14.9% | $194,700 |
| Ankeny | 72,615 | $108,198 | 4.2% | $331,000 |
| West Des Moines | 71,083 | $86,594 | 8.4% | $309,000 |
| Urbandale | 46,595 | $112,795 | 6.8% | $335,500 |
| Johnston | 24,384 | $106,551 | 10.2% | $369,100 |
| Altoona | 21,495 | $86,114 | 8.3% | $274,600 |
| Clive | 19,012 | $132,121 | 7.3% | $401,100 |
| Grimes | 16,366 | $120,037 | 4.4% | $304,700 |
| Norwalk | 14,183 | $102,722 | 4.2% | $303,100 |
| Pleasant Hill | 11,136 | $90,508 | 8.9% | $295,100 |
Cities Similar to Polk City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asbury | 5,989 | $124,957 | $339,000 | 50.4% | 3.2% |
| Tiffin | 5,737 | $100,952 | $338,500 | 63.6% | 7.6% |
| Sergeant Bluff | 5,171 | $123,481 | $298,500 | 36.7% | 9.5% |
| Adel | 6,430 | $95,250 | $327,900 | 37.9% | 7.2% |
| Eldridge | 6,818 | $106,316 | $350,500 | 54.4% | 1.4% |
Population Overview
Polk City is a small city located in Iowa, within Polk County. The total population is 6,037. It ranks as the 66th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Polk City is 39.1 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Polk City is $164,389. This is 119% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 104% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.8%. This is 39% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $414,800. Housing costs are 99% higher than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Polk City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 89.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Polk City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.5%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
44.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Polk City in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 41% higher than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.4%. Notably, 18.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Polk City, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Polk City, Iowa?
Polk City, Iowa has a population of 6,037 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Polk City, IA?
The median household income in Polk City is $164,389, which is 104% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Polk City, IA?
The poverty rate in Polk City is 6.8%. This means approximately 404 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Polk City, Iowa?
Polk City's population is 96.2% White, 0.2% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Polk City, IA?
The median home value in Polk City is $414,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Polk City, Iowa?
44.2% of adults (25+) in Polk City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.