Polk County, Iowa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Polk County, Iowa | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Iowa |
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 Iowa's location in the U.S. |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | information needed |
|---|---|
| Seat | Des Moines |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
592 sq mi (1,533 km²) 569 sq mi (1,474 km²) 23 sq mi (60 km²), 3.81% |
| PopulationEst. - (2006) - Density |
408,888 [1] 658/sq mi (254/km²) |
| Website: www.co.polk.ia.us | |
Polk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of 2000, the population was 374,601. The 2006 estimate is 408,888.[2] Its county seat is Des Moines[1], which is also the capital city of Iowa. Polk County is one of the five counties that make up the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.[2]
Contents |
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 592 square miles (1,533 km²), of which, 569 square miles (1,475 km²) of it is land and 23 square miles (58 km²) of it (3.81%) is water.
[edit] Major highways
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[edit] Adjacent counties
- Boone County (northwest)
- Story County (north)
- Jasper County (east)
- Marion County (southeast)
- Warren County (south)
- Madison County (southwest)
- Dallas County (west)
[edit] History
Polk County was formed on January 13, 1846. It was named after President James K. Polk.
The first courthouse, a two-story structure, was built in 1846. Construction of a second courthouse was begun in 1858. Due to construction delays and the onset of the Civil War, the structure was not completed until 1866. The present courthouse was erected in 1900 in the Neo-Renaissance style. It was dedicated on October 31, 1906. In 1962, an extensive renovation was undertaken.[3]
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 82,624 |
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| 1910 | 110,438 | 33.7% | |
| 1920 | 154,029 | 39.5% | |
| 1930 | 172,837 | 12.2% | |
| 1940 | 195,835 | 13.3% | |
| 1950 | 226,010 | 15.4% | |
| 1960 | 266,315 | 17.8% | |
| 1970 | 286,101 | 7.4% | |
| 1980 | 303,170 | 6.0% | |
| 1990 | 327,140 | 7.9% | |
| 2000 | 374,601 | 14.5% | |
| Est. 2006 | 408,888 | 9.2% | |
| IA Counties 1900-1990 | |||
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 374,601 people, 149,112 households, and 96,624 families residing in the county. The population density was 658 people per square mile (254/km²). There were 156,447 housing units at an average density of 275 per square mile (106/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.34% White, 4.84% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 2.63% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.22% from other races, and 1.66% from two or more races. 4.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 149,112 households out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.00% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.20% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.70% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 32.20% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $46,116, and the median income for a family was $56,560. Males had a median income of $37,182 versus $28,000 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,654. About 5.30% of families and 7.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.70% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Communities
[edit] Cities
[edit] Census-designated place
[edit] Other place
[edit] References
- ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ United States Office of Management and Budget. Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses (PDF) 5, 36.. Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
- ^ Polk County
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
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