Polk County, Iowa

Polk County
Polk County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°41′5.338″N 93°34′8.295″W / 41.68481611°N 93.56897083°W / 41.68481611; -93.56897083
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedJanuary 13, 1846
Named afterJames K. Polk
SeatDes Moines
Largest cityDes Moines
Area
  Total
591.888 sq mi (1,532.98 km2)
  Land572.720 sq mi (1,483.34 km2)
  Water019.168 sq mi (49.64 km2)  3.0%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
492,401
  Estimate 
(2023)
505,255
  Density882.927/sq mi (340.900/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitepolkcountyiowa.gov

Polk County is located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 492,401. making it the most populous county in Iowa, and was estimated to be 505,255 in 2023. It is home to over 15% of the state's residents. The county seat is Des Moines, which is also the capital city of Iowa. Polk County is included in the Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area.