Wealth Index
Wealthier than 94% of counties in Iowa
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Polk County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $81,561 | $73,286 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $62,938 | $58,328 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.0% | 4.2% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 13.1% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Polk County is about 11% higher than in Iowa. Income has been growing slower in Polk County (4.0%/yr) than in Iowa (4.2%/yr).
About 13% of adults in Polk County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Iowa average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Polk County, Iowa grew by 45.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $81,561 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.0% per year.
Economic Inequality in Polk County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Polk County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.512 | 0.518 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $69,531 | $64,701 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $55,743 | $50,787 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 19.8% | 21.5% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Polk County, it is 0.512, lower than Iowa's 0.518, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 25% more than women's income in Polk County, Iowa. Over a 35-year career, a 25% wage gap accumulates to roughly $482,580 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
The income gap between men and women in Polk County, Iowa has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 20%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,070 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Polk County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 13.9% | 10.4% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 12,090 people are unemployed in Polk County, Iowa.
The average commute time in Polk County is 18 minutes, longer than the 16 minutes in Iowa.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Polk County, Iowa has fallen from 5.8% to 4.4% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Polk County, Iowa has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than Iowa, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Polk County, Iowa.
How Rich Is Polk County, Iowa?
Polk County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $81,561, about 11% higher than the Iowa average of $73,286.
What is the current median household income in Polk County, Iowa?
As of 2023, the median household income in Polk County, Iowa is $81,561.
What was the median household income in Polk County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Polk County, Iowa was $81,561.
What was the median household income in Polk County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Polk County, Iowa was $69,755.
What is the Gini coefficient in Polk County, Iowa?
The Gini coefficient in Polk County is 0.512. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Polk County, Iowa?
The income gap between men and women in Polk County, Iowa has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 20%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,070 since 2009.