United States › Florida › Polk County COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS
Polk County Florida · 483,924 residents · 1,798 sq mi
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The short version
With 483,924 people, Polk County is a county in Florida. About 15% of adults have finished a four-year degree. The median age is 38.6, about 3 years above the US median. The typical home is worth $69,800. 73% of homes are owner-occupied. The population is up 19% since 1990.
At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 38.6
US median: 35.2
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 13%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01
Population & growth from 36.6 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
367K 482K 598K 714K 829K 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024 Polk County Age distribution, 2000
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02
Income & economy $36,036
+8%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $25,216 in 1990
US average: $42,589
from $12,392 in 1990
US average: $21,522
from 12.9% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
$69,800
−13%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $60,700 in 1990
US average: $120,530
$501
−1%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $386 in 1990
US average: $602
from 70.5% in 1990
26.6% rent
Section 04
Race & ethnicity 1990
White, non-Hispanic 84.4%(342,316)
Hispanic / Latino 3.7%(15,192)
2000
White, non-Hispanic 74.7%(361,366)
Hispanic / Latino 9.5%(45,933)
No data for the years selected.
Section 04 · Origins
Detailed origins & ancestry Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.
Hispanic origin
+ 10 more hispanic origin groups with data Asian origin
+ 6 more asian origin groups with data Ancestry
+ 50 more ancestry groups with data from 12.9% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
from 68.0% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
from 4.2% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06
Commute & transportation from 19.6 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07
Work & employment No data for the years selected.
Section 08
People & community No data for the years selected.
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married 24.3%(45,370)
Women 15+
Never married 17.8%(35,403)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2000
Section 09
Health coverage Showing 2024 (the nearest year with coverage data).
from 18.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
from 44.9% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
from 14.1% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
from 23.0% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
from 22.2% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
from 3.1% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
from 58.4% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
from 41.4% in 2020
US average: 36.7%
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later) 22%(9,755)
Gulf War (1990s) 20.3%(8,970)
Share of the 44,258 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
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Drill deeper
Places similar to Polk County Head to head
Compare Polk County to nearby counties POLK COUNTY VS
Hardee County
Income $60,489 +68%
Home value $153,600 +120%
Population 25,932 −97%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POLK COUNTY VS
Osceola County
Income $72,637 +102%
Home value $353,300 +406%
Population 481,718 −45%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POLK COUNTY VS
Hillsborough County
Income $79,540 +121%
Home value $371,500 +432%
Population 1,574,115 +80%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POLK COUNTY VS
Orange County
Income $79,719 +121%
Home value $390,100 +459%
Population 1,528,002 +75%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked
How many people live in Polk County, Florida? Polk County, Florida has about 483,924 residents according to the 2000 Census.
What is the median household income in Polk County, Florida? The typical household in Polk County, Florida earns about $36,036 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Polk County, Florida expensive? In Polk County, Florida, the median home is worth about $69,800, and the typical rent is about $501 a month.
How educated are people in Polk County, Florida? About 14.9% of adults age 25 and over in Polk County, Florida hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Polk County, Florida? About 12.9% of people in Polk County, Florida live below the federal poverty line.
Has Polk County, Florida grown since 1990? Yes, Polk County, Florida has grown since 1990. The population has added about 78,542 residents, a change of about 19 percent over that period.
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