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Polk County

IA · Pop. 497,441 · Urban County

20/100Homestead Score

Polk County is an urban county in Iowa, spanning 572 square miles with 497,441 residents at a density of 869.7 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $248,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.76%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.5°F and average winter lows of 13.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Broadlawns Medical Center is 6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.76%
Growing Season: 176 days
Broadband: 99.3%
Density: 869.7/sq mi

Pros

  • Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Broadlawns Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 10.1% signals a relatively stable local economy.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.76% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
  • Average winter lows of 13.7°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

Polk County, IA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
20/100
Median home price
$248k
Property tax
1.76%
Growing season
176 days (zone 5b)
Annual rainfall
36.1"
Broadband
99.3%
Nearest hospital
Broadlawns Medical Center, 6 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.76%
Median Household Income$81,621
Poverty Rate10.1%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$248K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5b
Growing Season176 days
Annual Rainfall36.1 inches
Avg Summer High84.5°F
Avg Winter Low13.7°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire6/10
Tornado10/10
Flood10/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalBroadlawns Medical Center (6 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities9

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.3%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.7%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Polk County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Polk County?
Polk County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.5°F, and average winter lows of 13.7°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $248,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.76%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Broadlawns Medical Center is 6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 9 hospitals in the county.

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Data sources

Verified

Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.