COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

Polk County

North Carolina · 14,416 residents · 237.687 sq mi

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The short version

Polk County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $26,801. Population has fallen 21% since 2000, a loss of 3,908 residents. Median home value is $67,600. With a median age of 42.8, the population is older than the US median of 33.0.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $30,130

Older

median age 42.8

US median: 33.0

Average education

20% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 20%

More affordable

home values down 14%, inflation adjusted

US median home: $93,722

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

14,416

−21%vs 2000

vs 18,324 in 2000

1990 – 2025

Population density

61 / sq mi

−21%vs 2000

vs 77 / sq mi in 2000

US average: 221

Median age

42.8

−5%vs 2000

vs 44.9 in 2000

US average: 33.0

Population, 1990 – 2024

202420K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$26,801

−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $36,259 in 2000

US average: $30,130

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$14,213

−28%vs 2000

vs $19,804 in 2000

US average: $14,340

Poverty rate

9.6%

−0.4 ptsvs 2000

vs 10.1% in 2000

US average: 13.2%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$67,600

−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $103,900 in 2000

US average: $93,722

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$332

−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $515 in 2000

US average: $450

Owner-occupied

79.9%

+1.2 ptsvs 2000

vs 78.7% in 2000

20.1% rent

Afford Score

2.5

−12%vs 2000

vs 2.9 in 2000

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Polk County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000

White, non-Hispanic90.1%(16,504)

Black5.8%(1,061)

Hispanic / Latino3%(551)

Asian0.2%(39)

Other0%

Diversity Score21.2%(3,877)

1990

White, non-Hispanic92.1%(13,283)

Black7.3%(1,050)

Hispanic / Latino0.7%(106)

Asian0.3%(40)

Other0.3%(43)

Diversity Score19.8%(2,848)

Diversity Score

−7%vs 2000

vs 21 in 2000

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

20.1%

−5.7 ptsvs 2000

vs 25.7% in 2000

US average: 20.3%

High school or higher

69.6%

−11.0 ptsvs 2000

vs 80.6% in 2000

US average: 75.2%

Graduate degree

7.1%

−2.5 ptsvs 2000

vs 9.6% in 2000

US average: 7.1%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

21.9 min

+22%vs 2000

vs 18.0 min in 2000

US average: 21.9

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

Rutherford County

Income$51,410+92%

Home value$201,800+199%

Population65,745+220%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

POLK COUNTY VS

Henderson County

Income$68,187+154%

Home value$351,400+420%

Population122,375+496%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

POLK COUNTY VS

Spartanburg County

Income$66,234+147%

Home value$233,300+245%

Population380,857+1755%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

POLK COUNTY VS

McDowell County

Income$57,168+113%

Home value$171,100+153%

Population45,198+120%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Polk County, North Carolina?

Polk County, North Carolina has about 14,416 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Polk County, North Carolina?

The typical household in Polk County, North Carolina earns about $26,801 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Polk County, North Carolina expensive?

In Polk County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $67,600, and the typical rent is about $332 a month.

How educated are people in Polk County, North Carolina?

About 20.1% of adults age 25 and over in Polk County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Polk County, North Carolina?

About 9.6% of people in Polk County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

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Explore from here

8 census tracts

Census Tract 9201.04 Census Tract 9201.03 Census Tract 9202.01 Census Tract 9203.04 Census Tract 9201.01 Census Tract 9203.03 Census Tract 9202.02 Census Tract 9203.01

4 ZIP codes

ZIP 28782 ZIP 28722 ZIP 28756 ZIP 28773

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

How we source and harmonize this data →