How to get the Polk County voter file
Request it from the office below, send us the file, and you're ready to cut turf. Running countywide or in just part of Polk County? This is the office either way.
- Where to request it
- Polk County Auditor - Election Office (largest county in Iowa; includes Des Moines metro)office: Polk County Election Office | address: 2309 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310 | phone: (515) 286-3247 | email: [email protected] | hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Cost
- Set by county. Follows the I-Voters fee structure: roughly $10 minimum for 20,000 or fewer records + $0.50 per additional 1,000. Polk County had ~330,000+ active registered voters as of 2026; estimated cost approximately $160-$170 for a full county pull. Confirm with [email protected].
- How to request
- Email the Election Office at [email protected] or call (515) 286-3247 to request a Polk County voter list. Submit a written/signed request stating purpose and the specific fields/jurisdiction requested; sign use-restriction affidavit consistent with state law. County may use the same Secretary of State request form for convenience.
- Turnaround
- Typically a few business days to up to 14 days, longer near elections.
- Use restrictions
- Same Iowa Code 48A.38/48A.39 restrictions as statewide. Requester signs affidavit. Commercial use = serious misdemeanor; resale/redistribution = aggravated misdemeanor.
Costs and rules change, so confirm the current details with the office before you order. Once you have the file, we handle loading it, cutting turf, and getting your volunteers knocking.
Prefer the whole-state file, or running in a county not listed here? See the Iowa statewide options.
Polk County at a glance.
Polk County had an estimated 516,185 residents in July 2024, the most populous of Iowa's 99 counties, up 4.8% since the 2020 census. Of those, 392,735 are 18 or older, the voting-age population, and 14.5% are 65 or older. It covers 573 square miles of land (901 people per square mile).
The largest cities and towns are Des Moines (part) (212,900), Ankeny (76,727), West Des Moines (part) (48,701), Urbandale (part) (35,312) and Johnston (25,022). The American Community Survey (2020-2024) puts it at a median age of 36.2, a median household income of $83,576, 40.3% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 67.4% of occupied homes owned by the people living in them. In 2024, 255,563 votes were cast for president, about 65.1% of the voting-age population; the Democratic ticket took 54.8% and the Republican ticket 43.9%.
The two-party margin moved from D+14.6 in 2008 to D+10.9 in 2024.
- Population (2024 estimate)
- 516,185
- Population (2020 census base)
- 492,402
- Voting-age population (18+)
- 392,735
- Residents 65 and older
- 14.5%
- People per square mile
- 901
- Land area
- 573 sq mi
- Median age
- 36.2
- Median household income
- $83,576
- Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree
- 40.3%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67.4%
Largest cities and towns
- Des Moines (part) 212,900
- Ankeny 76,727
- West Des Moines (part) 48,701
- Urbandale (part) 35,312
- Johnston 25,022
Presidential vote, 2008–2024
| Year | Democratic | Republican | Margin | Votes cast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 54.8% | 43.9% | D+10.9 | 255,563 |
| 2020 | 56.5% | 41.3% | D+15.2 | 258,755 |
| 2016 | 52.4% | 40.9% | D+11.5 | 228,420 |
| 2012 | 56.4% | 42.2% | D+14.2 | 227,563 |
| 2008 | 56.4% | 41.8% | D+14.6 | 214,386 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 population estimates and 2024 Gazetteer; American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates; certified county presidential returns. Growth, density and turnout are simple arithmetic on those figures.
Get set up in Polk County
Tell us about your race and we'll help you get the Polk County voter file loaded into Motion51 and your turf ready to walk.