Iowa · Metropolitan Area
Polk City is a small city in Iowa with a population of 5,833. Residents earn $163,000 per year, which is 117% above the national average.
Based on current data, Polk City receives an overall livability score of 4.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Polk City stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.
The median household income in Polk City is $163,000, which is significantly higher than the national average — 117% above $75,149. This places Polk City among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.6%. Only 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.
The median home value in Polk City is $385,000, 37% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $746 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Polk City is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 825 per 100,000, 58% below the national average.
Educational attainment is solid, with 47.2% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 98.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.
Polk City experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.2 inches, including 38.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.
| English Only | 99.4% |
| 27% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 0.6% |
| 96% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $163,000 |
| 117% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $56,787 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,395 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $93,610 |
| Unemployment | 1.6% |
| 56% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% |
| 61% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 20,581 |
| County GDP | $63,823M |
| Restaurants | 1,227 |
| Healthcare | 1,513 |
| Retail | 1,606 |
| Manufacturing | 341 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $6,943 |
| 98% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 1.80% |
| Commute Time | 24.5 min |
| Work from Home | 17.1% |
| Census Median | $385,000 |
| 37% above US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $419,774 |
| Median List Price | $419,500 |
| Median List Price | $419,500 |
| $/Sq Ft | $243 |
| Homes Sold | 4 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 100.5% |
| Price Drops | 26.2% |
| Inventory | 42 |
| Census Median Rent | $746 |
| 36% below US avg |
| Studio | $1,063 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,109 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,318 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,794 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,841 |
| Owner-Occupied | 90.0% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $6,943 |
| 98% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 1.80% |
| Obesity | 34.2% |
| 7% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 7.7% |
| Heart Disease | 4.6% |
| High Blood Pressure | 27.3% |
| Asthma | 9.6% |
| COPD | 4.4% |
| Stroke | 2.2% |
| Binge Drinking | 23.8% |
| Physical Inactivity | 18.0% |
| Depression | 22.4% |
| Mental Distress | 16.4% |
| Physical Distress | 10.5% |
| Insurance Rate | 97.9% |
| Checkup Rate | 74.8% |
| Premature Death | 7,653/100K |
| Food Environment | 8.8/10 |
| Exercise Access | 90.6% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 1,513 |
| Total Violent | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 0.0/100K |
| Robbery | 0.0/100K |
| Assault | 0.0/100K |
| Total Property | 824.6/100K |
| 58% below US avg | |
| Burglary | 145.5/100K |
| Theft | 630.6/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 48.5/100K |
| Arson | 0.0/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 33 |
| FEMA Disasters | 91 |
| Safety Grade | C+ |
| Safety Score | 2.5 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 50.3°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 22°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 36.2 inches |
| 5% below US avg | |
| Snowfall | 38.0 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 45.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 67.5% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
| Elevation | 936 ft (285 m) |
| Area | 5.6 sq mi (14.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,049/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.7818°N, 93.7226°W |
| County FIPS | 19153 |
Winner: Democrat by 10.9 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% |
| 40% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 98.1% |
| School Test Score | 5.70 |
| RUCC Code 2 | Metro — 250K–1M |
| Population Density | 1,049/sq mi |
| Total Area | 5.6 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 1 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 3 |
| Public Libraries | 19 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 1,513 |
| Restaurants | 1,227 |
| Retail Stores | 1,606 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 33 |
| FEMA Disaster Declarations | 91 |
| Avg Commute | 24.5 min |
| Work from Home | 17.1% |