The 3rd Congressional District encompasses 12 central Iowa counties including Polk at the western boundary, location of the State’s capital and largest city, Des Moines. The District’s most recent statistical profile indicates it has 622,000 inhabitants, 65% of which live in Polk County, an 8.4% minority population, the highest median income of the 5 districts at $43,176, a median owner occupied housing rate between 71%-74%, and one of the lowest poverty rates between 4%-9% below the federal threshold. It has one of the higher college degree rates between 22%-27%, the lowest percentage of people over the age of 65 at between 10%-11%, and one of the highest percent of people under the age of 18 at 24%-26%. It has an average life expectancy at birth of 79-83 years.
USDA Iowa Agriculture Facts: http://www.nass.usda.gov/ia/agriculturalfacts.htm
Iowa Data Center: http://www.iowadatacenter.org/about