What is the gross domestic product (GDP) in Polk County, IA?
Refreshed annually
About $50.5 billion in 2024. Gross domestic product (GDP) measures the value of goods and services a country, state, or county produces — it's the sum of consumer spending, business investment, government spending, and net exports. It is often used to quantify the size of an economy. The $50.5 billion is the "real GDP," which is adjusted to account for inflation to make it easier to compare the size of an economy over time.
$50.5B
Real GDP (2024)
+3.2%
Change in real GDP (2023 to 2024)
Changes in spending and investment cause the GDP to fluctuate.
As of 2024, real GDP was $50.5 billion in Polk County. This was 3.2% higher than in 2023.
Real GDP increased from 2023 to reach $50.5 billion in 2024.
Real GDP in Polk County, IA, adjusted for inflation (chained 2017 dollars)
Which industry contributes the most to Polk County's GDP?
The GDP can also be broken down and compared across industries — useful, as different industries experience different economic pressures.
The finance and insurance industry contributed the most to the GDP of Polk County in 2024, generating a value of $16.4 billion. It was followed by professional and business services ($6.47 billion) and real estate and rental and leasing ($3.92 billion).
The utilities industry grew the most, with a 2024 GDP that was 2.0 times the 2014 GDP.
In 2024, the finance and insurance industry contributed the most to GDP in Polk County, IA.
Real gross domestic product by industry in Polk County, IA, chained 2017 dollars
What is Polk County's GDP per person?
Another way to understand a population's standard of living is by taking the GDP and dividing it by the total number of people in the population. This figure offers insight into the average economic output per individual. When the GDP per person goes up, it suggests that individuals are becoming wealthier and/or resources are being used more efficiently. This helps economists understand whether economic growth is outpacing population growth.
In 2024, GDP per person was $98,379, up 1.8% from 2023.
In 2024, real GDP was equivalent to $98,400 per person.
Real gross domestic product per person in Polk County, IA, chained 2017 dollars
GDP and the economic experience vary by location due to factors like cost of living, population density, workforce education, and the leading industries in the area.
In 2024, Polk County's real (that is, inflation-adjusted) GDP per person was first highest out of Iowa's 99 counties. Counties with a similar standard of living include Hancock County (second).
In 2024, Polk County, IA was ranked 1 in Iowa for GDP per person.
Real gross domestic product per person in Iowa by county
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
