Polk County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.6 | 505,255 people · 14th most distressed in Iowa
American Default Research

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Polk County, IA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.6 — 1976th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Iowa, it ranks 14th of 99 counties. It scores higher than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Polk County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 69.2 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 69.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 69
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 60
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 84
Homeownership Rate 80
Legal Distress 58.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 58
Consumer Credit Distress 37.8
Debt in Collections 41
Medical Debt 39
Auto Loan Delinquency 37
Credit Card Delinquency 39
Uninsured Rate 16
Subprime Credit Population 41
Economic Vitality 29.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 19
Rent-to-Income Ratio 38
Business Formation Rate 21
House Price Change (YoY) 75
Structural Poverty 23.8
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 33
Income vs. State Median 21
Child Poverty Rate 37
Disability Rate 11
Transfer Income Dependency 10

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Polk County
Polk County, IA 43.6 Normal —
Jasper County, IA 42.7 Normal -0.9
Story County, IA 34.9 Healthy -8.7
Warren County, IA 28.7 Healthy -14.9
Madison County, IA 28.5 Healthy -15.1
Marion County, IA 28.3 Healthy -15.3
Boone County, IA 24.4 Healthy -19.2
Dallas County, IA 24.2 Healthy -19.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Polk County
Dutchess County, NY 43.7 Normal +0.1
Kent County, MI 43.5 Normal -0.1
Albany County, NY 43.5 Normal -0.1
Plymouth County, MA 43.4 Normal -0.2
Rockland County, NY 44.1 Normal +0.5

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Polk County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Polk County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Polk County.

DES MOINES MUNICIPAL HOUSING AGENCY
Des Moines
515-323-8950 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair Housing
GREATER DES MOINES HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Des Moines
515-471-8686 Website
Pre-Purchase
HOME OPPORTUNITIES MADE EASY, INC. (HOME, INC.)
Des Moines
515-243-1277 Website
Home Improvement/RehabHomeless/DisplacementPost-PurchasePre-Purchase

See all counselors in Iowa →

Find an Attorney

Iowa State Bar Association Lawyer Referral offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Iowa State Bar Association Lawyer Referral 515-243-3179

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Polk County residents at no cost.

Iowa Legal Aid 1-800-532-1275

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Iowa →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Polk County, Iowa?

    Polk County has a County Distress Index score of 43.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,976th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 14th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Polk County?

    The primary driver of distress in Polk County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 69.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Polk County compare to neighboring counties?

    Polk County (43.6) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Jasper County, IA (42.7); Story County, IA (34.9); Warren County, IA (28.7).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Normal zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Polk County's score of 43.6 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Polk County's CDI score?

    Polk County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Polk County?

    Polk County, Iowa has a population of approximately 505,255 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.