Polk County

Polk County is an administrative division in central Iowa with Des Moines as its county seat, where urban neighborhoods mix with rural farmland. The territory is traversed by Interstate highways that form major transportation corridors linking communities across the region.

Polk County was established in 1846 and named after President James K. Polk. The region developed from early settlement into a major trade hub because of its central location and transportation connections.

The county maintains multiple educational centers, including Living History Farms, Science Center of Iowa, and Blank Park Zoo for community learning.

Visitors can explore the area easily by car since several interstate highways including I-35, I-80, and I-235 are well developed and maintained. These roads offer straightforward access to various towns and points of interest across the county.

The area is home to Living History Farms, where visitors can observe historical farming techniques from different periods of time. This museum demonstrates how farms and rural life changed over generations.

Location: Iowa

Inception: 1846

Capital city: Des Moines

Elevation above the sea: 279 m

Shares border with: Story County, Warren County, Marion County, Jasper County, Boone County, Dallas County, Madison County

Website: http://polkcountyiowa.gov

GPS coordinates: 41.68500,-93.57028

Latest update: December 17, 2025 08:13