COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Polk County

Missouri · 26,992 residents · 635.527 sq mi

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The short version

Polk County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $29,656. Population has grown 24% since 1990. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value has more than doubled since 1990, reaching $77,600.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $42,589

Mid-age

median age 35.0

US median: 35.2

Less educated

15% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 24%

Less affordable

home values up 49%, inflation adjusted

US median home: $120,530

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

26,992

+24%since 1990

from 21,826 in 1990

1990 – 2025

Population density

42 / sq mi

+24%since 1990

from 34 / sq mi in 1990

US average: 242

Median age

35.0

+5%since 1990

from 33.4 in 1990

US average: 35.2

Population, 1990 – 2024

202432K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$29,656

+21%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $18,672 in 1990

US average: $42,589

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$13,645

+54%since 1990

from $8,873 in 1990

US average: $21,522

Poverty rate

16.3%

−4.0 ptssince 1990

from 20.3% in 1990

US average: 12.4%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$77,600

+49%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $39,600 in 1990

US average: $120,530

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$391

+14%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $261 in 1990

US average: $602

Owner-occupied

72.8%

−0.7 ptssince 1990

from 73.5% in 1990

27.2% rent

Afford Score

2.6

+23%since 1990

from 2.1 in 1990

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Polk County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990

White, non-Hispanic98.1%(21,419)

Black0.3%(57)

Hispanic / Latino1.1%(244)

Asian0.5%(99)

Diversity Score7.2%(1,578)

2000

White, non-Hispanic96.4%(26,024)

Black0.4%(119)

Hispanic / Latino1.3%(350)

Asian0.2%(51)

Diversity Score4.8%(1,302)

Diversity Score

−33%since 1990

from 7 in 1990

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

14.6%

+2.6 ptssince 1990

from 12.0% in 1990

US average: 24.4%

High school or higher

77.5%

+10.5 ptssince 1990

from 67.0% in 1990

US average: 80.3%

Graduate degree

4.7%

+0.3 ptssince 1990

from 4.4% in 1990

US average: 8.8%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

18.8 min

−32%since 1990

from 27.8 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.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Polk County

Head to head

Compare Polk County to nearby counties

POLK COUNTY VS

Dallas County

Income$53,464+80%

Home value$190,300+145%

Population18,025−46%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

POLK COUNTY VS

Hickory County

Income$39,390+33%

Home value$176,100+127%

Population9,044−73%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

POLK COUNTY VS

Greene County

Income$61,479+107%

Home value$221,300+185%

Population309,286+820%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

POLK COUNTY VS

Cedar County

Income$48,181+62%

Home value$168,100+117%

Population14,888−56%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Polk County, Missouri?

Polk County, Missouri has about 26,992 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Polk County, Missouri?

The typical household in Polk County, Missouri earns about $29,656 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Polk County, Missouri expensive?

In Polk County, Missouri, the median home is worth about $77,600, and the typical rent is about $391 a month.

How educated are people in Polk County, Missouri?

About 14.6% of adults age 25 and over in Polk County, Missouri hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Polk County, Missouri?

About 16.3% of people in Polk County, Missouri live below the federal poverty line.

Has Polk County, Missouri grown since 1990?

Yes, Polk County, Missouri has grown since 1990. The population has added about 5,166 residents, a change of about 24 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →