Polk County, IA Property Records
Property records in Polk, Iowa provide important details about real estate ownership, assessed values, parcel boundaries, property characteristics, tax classifications, and recent sales information. These records are useful for homeowners, buyers, real estate professionals, researchers, and anyone who needs to verify ownership, review assessment history, estimate property taxes, or understand land and building details.
Official Polk property records are available through local government offices, including the Polk County Assessor for parcel and assessment information and the Polk County Recorder for recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, and liens. Users can begin their search through the county’s official online Polk property records resource, which provides access to assessor data and related property information.
Polk County, IA Property Records & Statistics
Polk County, home to Des Moines, is Iowa's most expensive and most urbanized housing market. The median rent is $1,034.50, far above the state median of $739 and the national median of $840.25. The median home value of $258,000 is nearly double Iowa's $134,900 and well above the national median of $173,750.
Property taxes are also higher here. The county's median property tax rate is 1.74%, compared with 1.27% across Iowa and 0.74% nationally. Combined with high home values, owners face substantially larger annual bills than in most of the state. Renter-occupied housing accounts for 28.07% of homes, well above both the state share of 19.29% and the national share of 21.81%, reflecting the apartment-heavy, urban character of the county.
Incomes are strong, which helps offset costs. The median household income of $83,166 exceeds Iowa's $67,426 and the national median of $65,108. The unemployment rate is 2.97%, higher than the state's 1.88% and slightly above the national rate of 2.87%, as larger metro areas often show.
The figures describe a high-cost, high-income, renter-heavy county with a deep real estate market and heavier tax burdens than the rest of Iowa.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Polk
Polk County has one of the largest property record collections in Iowa, covering tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, valuation data, and foreclosure filings. The county has 216,659 total parcels and tax records covering 85.92% of the population for the 2024 assessment year. The Recorder holds 425,500 deeds and 332,439 mortgages, and valuation data is available for 158,108 properties.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 216,659 |
| Residential Parcels | 173,622 |
| Commercial Parcels | 8,660 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 85.92% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 425,500 |
| Mortgage Records | 332,439 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 158,108 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Lis Pendens Records | 38,629 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records show what becomes of a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment documents a loan being transferred between lenders or servicers, and a release documents that the loan was paid off and the lien removed.
Polk County has 575,136 assignment and release records. They include 76,994 assignment documents recorded from January 3, 2005, to September 3, 2025, and 496,849 release documents recorded from March 3, 2003, to September 3, 2025, plus 1,293 other documents.
In a market this large, these records are valuable for title research. They help confirm that earlier mortgages were released, trace a loan through its holders, and uncover liens that could affect a sale or refinance.
How to Search Polk County, IA Property Records
Polk County's property records are kept by the Recorder's Office, which handles deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents for the county's 216,659 parcels. The records show ownership transfers, financing, and the recorded history of each property.
Start with the Polk County Recorder's Office for general information and contacts. To search recorded documents online, use the Polk County land records search, which allows a quick search by name. The recorder's forms page provides the paperwork needed for recording documents.
To search, have the owner's name or the property address ready, run the quick name search, and open the matching documents. Review deeds and mortgages in date order and note the document types and dates in case you need certified copies.
The office is at 111 Court Avenue, Des Moines, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Call 515-286-3160 with questions.
Polk Registrar of Deeds
The Polk County Probate Office is located at 111 Court Avenue Stereet, Des Moines, IA, 50309 and can be reached at 515-286-3160. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Records can be accessed through landrecords.polkcountyiowa.gov or the official website polkcountyiowa.gov.
Polk County Recorder's Office
Polk County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Polk County property records by address?
Use the Polk County land records search to find recorded documents, starting with a name or the details you have. If an address search isn't returning results, try fewer terms. The Recorder's Office at 515-286-3160 can also help.
How can I find property owners in Polk County?
Owners are named on recorded deeds. Search by name in the Polk County land records search and open the deed linked to the property. With over 425,500 deed records, adding a date range or full name narrows results.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Polk County?
The county's records reflect the 2024 assessment year. Assessed values are set by the county's assessment staff, so call the Recorder's Office at 515-286-3160 for direction to the right office, and have the address or parcel number ready.
Where can I find Polk County property tax bills and payment records?
Tax bills and payments are handled by the county treasurer's staff rather than the Recorder. Visit the county Recorder page on the Polk County website for navigation, or call 515-286-3160 to be directed to the right office.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Polk County?
Search recorded deeds, mortgages, and related documents through the Polk County land records search. To record or request documents, see the Recorder's forms page or visit 111 Court Avenue in Des Moines.
Where can I access Polk County parcel maps and GIS information?
The county tracks 216,659 parcels. To find current parcel maps and GIS tools, call the Recorder's Office at 515-286-3160 and ask where they are published. Maps are a reference only and are not a legal survey of boundaries.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Polk County?
Permit and zoning rules depend on the municipality. Inside Des Moines or another city, contact that city's permit office; for unincorporated land, ask county offices. The Recorder's Office at 515-286-3160 can point you to the right department.
How can I create a list of property owners in Polk County?
Online searches are built for individual lookups, so a list requires gathering records one property at a time. For larger needs, call the Recorder's Office at 515-286-3160 and ask about bulk data availability and fees.