About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the Polk County population over the last 20 plus years. It lists the population for each year, along with the year on year change in population, as well as the change in percentage terms for each year. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population change of Polk County across the last two decades. For example, using this dataset, we can identify if the population is declining or increasing. If there is a change, when the population peaked, or if it is still growing and has not reached its peak. We can also compare the trend with the overall trend of United States population over the same period of time.

Key observations

In 2023, the population of Polk County was 505,255, a 0.81% increase year-by-year from 2022. Previously, in 2022, Polk County population was 501,184, an increase of 0.67% compared to a population of 497,842 in 2021. Over the last 20 plus years, between 2000 and 2023, population of Polk County increased by 129,528. In this period, the peak population was 505,255 in the year 2023. The numbers suggest that the population has not reached its peak yet and is showing a trend of further growth. Source: U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP).

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP).

Data Coverage:

• From 2000 to 2023

Variables / Data Columns

• Year: This column displays the data year (Measured annually and for years 2000 to 2023)
• Population: The population for the specific year for the Polk County is shown in this column.
• Year on Year Change: This column displays the change in Polk County population for each year compared to the previous year.
• Change in Percent: This column displays the year on year change as a percentage. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Polk County Population by Year. You can refer the same here

Graph and download economic data for Population Estimate, Total (5-year estimate) in Polk County, IA (B03002001E019153) from 2009 to 2023 about Polk County, IA; Des Moines; IA; estimate; 5-year; persons; population; and USA.

Comprehensive demographic dataset for Polk County, IA, US including population statistics, household income, housing units, education levels, employment data, and transportation with year-over-year changes.

Graph and download economic data for Resident Population in Polk County, IA (IAPOLK3POP) from 1970 to 2024 about Polk County, IA; Des Moines; IA; residents; population; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Estimate, Median Age by Sex, Total Population (5-year estimate) in Polk County, IA (B01002001E019153) from 2009 to 2023 about Polk County, IA; Des Moines; age; IA; 5-year; median; and USA.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the data for the Polk County, IA population pyramid, which represents the Polk County population distribution across age and gender, using estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. It lists the male and female population for each age group, along with the total population for those age groups. Higher numbers at the bottom of the table suggest population growth, whereas higher numbers at the top indicate declining birth rates. Furthermore, the dataset can be utilized to understand the youth dependency ratio, old-age dependency ratio, total dependency ratio, and potential support ratio.

Key observations

• Youth dependency ratio, which is the number of children aged 0-14 per 100 persons aged 15-64, for Polk County, IA, is 31.0.
• Old-age dependency ratio, which is the number of persons aged 65 or over per 100 persons aged 15-64, for Polk County, IA, is 20.8.
• Total dependency ratio for Polk County, IA is 51.8.
• Potential support ratio, which is the number of youth (working age population) per elderly, for Polk County, IA is 4.8.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.

Age groups:

• Under 5 years
• 5 to 9 years
• 10 to 14 years
• 15 to 19 years
• 20 to 24 years
• 25 to 29 years
• 30 to 34 years
• 35 to 39 years
• 40 to 44 years
• 45 to 49 years
• 50 to 54 years
• 55 to 59 years
• 60 to 64 years
• 65 to 69 years
• 70 to 74 years
• 75 to 79 years
• 80 to 84 years
• 85 years and over

Variables / Data Columns

• Age Group: This column displays the age group for the Polk County population analysis. Total expected values are 18 and are define above in the age groups section.
• Population (Male): The male population in the Polk County for the selected age group is shown in the following column.
• Population (Female): The female population in the Polk County for the selected age group is shown in the following column.
• Total Population: The total population of the Polk County for the selected age group is shown in the following column.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Polk County Population by Age. You can refer the same here

U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts statistics for Polk County, Iowa. QuickFacts data are derived from: Population Estimates, American Community Survey, Census of Population and Housing, Current Population Survey, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, State and County Housing Unit Estimates, County Business Patterns, Nonemployer Statistics, Economic Census, Survey of Business Owners, Building Permits.

Graph and download economic data for Estimate of Median Household Income for Polk County, IA (MHIIA19153A052NCEN) from 1989 to 2023 about Polk County, IA; Des Moines; IA; households; median; income; and USA.

This resource is a member of a series. The TIGER/Line shapefiles and related database files (.dbf) are an extract of selected geographic and cartographic information from the U.S. Census Bureau's Master Address File / Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (MAF/TIGER) System (MTS). The MTS represents a seamless national file with no overlaps or gaps between parts, however, each TIGER/Line shapefile is designed to stand alone as an independent data set, or they can be combined to cover the entire nation. The All Roads shapefile includes all features within the MTS Super Class "Road/Path Features" distinguished where the MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code (MTFCC) for the feature in the MTS that begins with "S". This includes all primary, secondary, local neighborhood, and rural roads, city streets, vehicular trails (4wd), ramps, service drives, alleys, parking lot roads, private roads for service vehicles (logging, oil fields, ranches, etc.), bike paths or trails, bridle/horse paths, walkways/pedestrian trails, and stairways.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the Polk County population distribution across 18 age groups. It lists the population in each age group along with the percentage population relative of the total population for Polk County. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population distribution of Polk County by age. For example, using this dataset, we can identify the largest age group in Polk County.

Key observations

The largest age group in Polk County, IA was for the group of age 25-29 years with a population of 37,580 (7.69%), according to the 2021 American Community Survey. At the same time, the smallest age group in Polk County, IA was the 80-84 years with a population of 6,893 (1.41%). Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2017-2021 5-Year Estimates.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2017-2021 5-Year Estimates.

Age groups:

• Under 5 years
• 5 to 9 years
• 10 to 14 years
• 15 to 19 years
• 20 to 24 years
• 25 to 29 years
• 30 to 34 years
• 35 to 39 years
• 40 to 44 years
• 45 to 49 years
• 50 to 54 years
• 55 to 59 years
• 60 to 64 years
• 65 to 69 years
• 70 to 74 years
• 75 to 79 years
• 80 to 84 years
• 85 years and over

Variables / Data Columns

• Age Group: This column displays the age group in consideration
• Population: The population for the specific age group in the Polk County is shown in this column.
• % of Total Population: This column displays the population of each age group as a proportion of Polk County total population. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Polk County Population by Age. You can refer the same here

Polk County, IA has a B wealth grade. Median household income: $81,561. Unemployment rate: 4.4%. Income grows 4.0% yearly.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the Polk County population by gender and age. The dataset can be utilized to understand the gender distribution and demographics of Polk County.

Content

The dataset constitues the following two datasets across these two themes

• Polk County, IA Population Breakdown by Gender
• Polk County, IA Population Breakdown by Gender and Age

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Polk County, IA (S1701ACS019153) from 2012 to 2023 about Polk County, IA; Des Moines; IA; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Estimate, Median Age by Sex, Total Population (5-year estimate) in Polk County, IA was 36.20000 Years of Age in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Estimate, Median Age by Sex, Total Population (5-year estimate) in Polk County, IA reached a record high of 36.20000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 34.60000 in January of 2009. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Estimate, Median Age by Sex, Total Population (5-year estimate) in Polk County, IA - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Population Estimate, Total, Hispanic or Latino (5-year estimate) in Polk County, IA was 49816.00000 Persons in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Population Estimate, Total, Hispanic or Latino (5-year estimate) in Polk County, IA reached a record high of 49816.00000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 26802.00000 in January of 2009. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Population Estimate, Total, Hispanic or Latino (5-year estimate) in Polk County, IA - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the population of Polk County by gender across 18 age groups. It lists the male and female population in each age group along with the gender ratio for Polk County. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population distribution of Polk County by gender and age. For example, using this dataset, we can identify the largest age group for both Men and Women in Polk County. Additionally, it can be used to see how the gender ratio changes from birth to senior most age group and male to female ratio across each age group for Polk County.

Key observations

Largest age group (population): Male # 10-14 years (18,914) | Female # 25-29 years (18,763). Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2017-2021 5-Year Estimates.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2017-2021 5-Year Estimates.

Age groups:

• Under 5 years
• 5 to 9 years
• 10 to 14 years
• 15 to 19 years
• 20 to 24 years
• 25 to 29 years
• 30 to 34 years
• 35 to 39 years
• 40 to 44 years
• 45 to 49 years
• 50 to 54 years
• 55 to 59 years
• 60 to 64 years
• 65 to 69 years
• 70 to 74 years
• 75 to 79 years
• 80 to 84 years
• 85 years and over

Scope of gender :

Please note that American Community Survey asks a question about the respondents current sex, but not about gender, sexual orientation, or sex at birth. The question is intended to capture data for biological sex, not gender. Respondents are supposed to respond with the answer as either of Male or Female. Our research and this dataset mirrors the data reported as Male and Female for gender distribution analysis.

Variables / Data Columns

• Age Group: This column displays the age group for the Polk County population analysis. Total expected values are 18 and are define above in the age groups section.
• Population (Male): The male population in the Polk County is shown in the following column.
• Population (Female): The female population in the Polk County is shown in the following column.
• Gender Ratio: Also known as the sex ratio, this column displays the number of males per 100 females in Polk County for each age group.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Polk County Population by Gender. You can refer the same here

Population Estimate, Total, Not Hispanic or Latino, Black or African American Alone (5-year estimate) in Polk County, IA was 36708.00000 Persons in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Population Estimate, Total, Not Hispanic or Latino, Black or African American Alone (5-year estimate) in Polk County, IA reached a record high of 36708.00000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 20827.00000 in January of 2009. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Population Estimate, Total, Not Hispanic or Latino, Black or African American Alone (5-year estimate) in Polk County, IA - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

The TIGER/Line shapefiles and related database files (.dbf) are an extract of selected geographic and cartographic information from the U.S. Census Bureau's Master Address File / Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (MAF/TIGER) System (MTS). The MTS represents a seamless national file with no overlaps or gaps between parts, however, each TIGER/Line shapefile is designed to stand alone as an independent data set, or they can be combined to cover the entire nation. The Address Range Relationship File contains the attributes of each address range. The term "address range" refers to the collection of all possible structure numbers from the first structure number to the last structure number and all numbers of a specified parity in between along an edge side relative to the direction in which the edge is coded. The address ranges in the TIGER/Line files are potential ranges that include the full range of possible structure numbers even though the actual structures may not exist. Each address range applies to a single edge and has a unique address range identifier (ARID) value. The edge to which an address range applies can be determined by linking the address range to the All Lines shapefile (edges.shp) using the permanent topological edge identifier (TLID) attribute. Multiple address ranges can apply to the same edge since an edge can have multiple address ranges. Note that the most inclusive address range associated with each side of a street edge already appears in the All Lines Shapefile (edges.shp). The TIGER/Line files contain potential address ranges, not individual addresses.

Graph and download economic data for Population Estimate, Total, Not Hispanic or Latino, Some Other Race Alone (5-year estimate) in Polk County, IA (B03002008E019153) from 2009 to 2023 about Polk County, IA; Des Moines; IA; non-hispanic; estimate; 5-year; persons; population; and USA.

The TIGER/Line shapefiles and related database files (.dbf) are an extract of selected geographic and cartographic information from the U.S. Census Bureau's Master Address File / Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (MAF/TIGER) System (MTS). The MTS represents a seamless national file with no overlaps or gaps between parts, however, each TIGER/Line shapefile is designed to stand alone as an independent data set, or they can be combined to cover the entire nation. The Feature Names Relationship File contains a record for each feature name and any attributes associated with it. Each feature name can be linked to the corresponding edges that make up that feature in the All Lines shapefile (edges.shp), where applicable to the corresponding address range or ranges in the Address Range Relationship File (addr.dbf), or to both files. Although this file includes feature names for all linear features, not just road features, the primary purpose of this relationship file is to identify all street names associated with each address range. An edge can have several feature names; an address range located on an edge can be associated with one or any combination of the available feature names (an address range can be linked to multiple feature names). The address range is identified by the address range identifier (ARID) attribute, which can be used to link to the Address Range Relationship File (addr.dbf). The linear feature is identified by the linear feature identifier (LINEARID) attribute, which can be used to relate the address range back to the name attributes of the feature in the Feature Names Relationship File or to the feature record in the Primary Roads, Primary and Secondary Roads, or All Roads shapefiles. The edge to which a feature name applies can be determined by linking the feature name record to the All Lines shapefile (edges.shp) using the permanent edge identifier (TLID) attribute. The address range identifier(s) (ARID) for a specific linear feature can be found by using the linear feature identifier (LINEARID) from the Feature Names Relationship File through the Address Range/Feature Name Relationship File (addrfn.dbf).