Dallas County, Iowa


Dallas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, its population was 99,678, and was estimated to be 115,343 in 2024. making it the sixth-most populous county in Iowa. Between 2010 and 2020, it was the fastest growing county in Iowa and one of the fastest growing in the country. The county seat is Adel and the largest city is Waukee. The county was named for George M. Dallas, Vice President of the United States under James K. Polk, the namesake of neighboring Polk County.
Dallas County is included in the Des Moines–Des Moines, Iowa|West Des Moines], IA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The land that now forms Dallas County was ceded by the Sac and Fox nation to the United States in a treaty signed on October 11, 1842.
On January 13, 1846, the legislative body of the Iowa Territory authorized the creation of twelve counties in the Iowa Territory, with general descriptions of their boundaries. Dallas County's name referred to United States Vice President George M. Dallas, who served from 1845 to 1849.
In 1847 the county residents voted to designate Penoch as the county seat. The county's population grew rapidly, with settlers coming to claim homesteads. By 1870, the population had crossed the 12,000 mark.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water. It is the 24th largest county in Iowa by total area.

Major highways

As of the second quarter of 2025, the median home value in Dallas County was $379,620.
As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 46,373 estimated households in Dallas County with an average of 2.47 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $95,334. Approximately 5.7% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Dallas County has an estimated 73.4% employment rate, with 54.1% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 94.4% holding a high school diploma. There were 48,279 housing units at an average density of.
The top five reported languages were English, Spanish, Indo-European, Asian and Pacific Islander, and Other.
The median age in the county was 36.6 years.

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 99,678 people, 38,291 households, and 26,000 families residing in the county. The population density was. There were 41,125 housing units at an average density of.
The median age was 35.4 years. 27.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 12.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.0 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 83.6% White, 2.7% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 5.0% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.6% from some other race, and 5.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 6.5% of the population.
78.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 21.3% lived in rural areas.
There were 38,291 households in the county, of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 55.8% were married-couple households, 15.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
Of the 41,125 housing units, 6.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.4% were owner-occupied and 29.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.1%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 66,135 people, 25,239 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was. There were 27,259 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 92.19% White, 1.39% African American, 0.19% Native American, 2.51% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.13% from some other races and 1.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 6.14% of the population.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 40,750 people, 15,584 households, and 11,173 families residing in the county. The population density was. There were 16,529 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 94.75% White, 0.74% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.79% from some other races and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.40% of the population.
There were 15,584 households, 37.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.60% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 23.60% of households were one person and 8.20% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.08.
The age distribution was 28.20% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.
The median household income was $48,528 and the median family income was $58,293. Males had a median income of $37,243 versus $27,026 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,970. About 4.00% of families and 5.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.10% of those under age 18 and 7.10% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Dallas County.
† county seat
RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation Population
1West Des Moines City68,72373,664
2Urbandale City45,58047,759
3WaukeeCity23,94034,420
4Clive City18,60119,508
5Grimes City15,39217,266
6PerryCity7,8368,046
7† 'AdelCity6,1536,763
8Granger City1,6542,095
9Dallas CenterCity1,9011,993
10Van MeterCity1,4841,840
11WoodwardCity1,3461,383
12De SotoCity915937
13RedfieldCity731719
14DexterCity640631
15MinburnCity325317
16LindenCity200206
17BoutonCity127125
18Dawson'City116110

Politics

Prior to 1932, Dallas County was strongly Republican in presidential elections. From 1932 to 1996, it was a swing county, having a Republican lean until 1960 & a Democratic lean from 1964 to 1996, especially after 1980. Since 2000, it has been consistently Republican, though no Republican presidential candidate has won over 58% of the vote nor has a Democrat won less than 41% since then.