County or equivalent · 19153
Polk County, Iowa
Annual housing permits and reporting coverage
- Published estimate · 2025
- 4,730
- Reported only · 2025
- 4,730
- Added by estimation · 2025
- 0
Reported and estimated units by year
| Year and source | Published estimate | Reported only | Added by estimation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Census file | 3,095 | 3,095 | 0 |
| 2024 Census file | 2,949 | 2,949 | 0 |
| 2025 Census file | 4,730 | 4,730 | 0 |
2024 to 2025 · published estimate +1,781 units · reported only +1,781 · added by estimation 0. This split describes the difference between the published columns.
What types of housing were authorized?
| Units in building | Published estimate | Reported only | Added by estimation |
|---|---|---|---|
| One unit | 2,306 | 2,306 | 0 |
| Two units | 110 | 110 | 0 |
| Three or four units | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Five or more units | 2,310 | 2,310 | 0 |
Local housing and rent context
| Measure | Estimate and margin |
|---|---|
| Housing units · Census table B25001 | 218,486 ± 136 |
| Median gross monthly rent · Census table B25064 | $1,149 ± $16 |
| Gross rent at least 30% of income · Census table B25070 | 46.2% ± 1.8 percentage points |
| Gross rent at least 50% of income | 20.4% ± 1.3 percentage points |
| Estimated households with a computed rent-to-income ratio | 64,297 |
The 2025 permit estimate amounts to 21.6 authorized units per 1,000 housing units in the ACS estimate. The numerator and denominator cover different periods.
The Vintage 2025 Census housing stock estimate changed from 224,135 in 2024 to 226,460 in 2025 (+2,325 units). This is a separate model-based inventory estimate.
Permit offices listed under this county code
Use the office pages for their own histories and source coverage notes.
- AltoonaPermit office 19014200 · Polk County · 183 authorized units
- AnkenyPermit office 19018100 · Polk County · 1,326 authorized units
- BondurantPermit office 19061300 · Polk County · 80 authorized units
- ClivePermit office 19133900 · Polk County · 40 authorized units
- Des MoinesPermit office 19177100 · Polk County · 1,676 authorized units
- ElkhartPermit office 19214300 · Polk County · 19 authorized units
- GrimesPermit office 19301000 · Polk County · 134 authorized units
- JohnstonPermit office 19376900 · Polk County · 122 authorized units
- MitchellvillePermit office 19496900 · Polk County · 4 authorized units
- Pleasant HillPermit office 19574000 · Polk County · 34 authorized units
- Polk CityPermit office 19583600 · Polk County · 52 authorized units
- Polk County Unincorporated AreaPermit office 19583900 · Polk County · 70 authorized units
- RunnellsPermit office 19631600 · Polk County · Latest year unavailable
- UrbandalePermit office 19729100 · Polk County · 646 authorized units
- West Des MoinesPermit office 19781000 · Polk County · 344 authorized units
- Windsor HeightsPermit office 19798100 · Polk County · 0 authorized units
Sources and definitions
How to read these figures
- The Census Building Permits Survey counts new privately owned housing units authorized by permits. One permit can cover multiple units. The counts describe authorizations, a stage before starts and completions.
- The published estimate includes reported units and Census estimates that fill gaps. The difference is calculated from those two columns. Reported-only units can include records from approved alternative sources. A missing report can leave an office without a usable count.
- County and state totals come from their own Census files. Permit offices can cover places across county lines or areas served by another jurisdiction. The office’s county field is used for navigation.
- ACS housing inventory and rents are survey estimates for 2020–2024. Gross rent includes rent and separately paid utilities or fuels. Rent burden is the share paying at least 30% of income among cash-rent households with a computed ratio. Margins are at 90% confidence. The margin for rent burden is approximate.
- Vintage 2025 county housing stock is a separate Census series. Its model uses building-permit data alongside other inputs. Read stock change and permits as separate measures.
Public sources retrieved November 10, 2026. Building Permits Survey annual data · Survey methodology · American Community Survey data · Download the comparison