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COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Polk County

Tennessee · 16,050 residents · 434.605 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 $29,643. Population has grown 18% since 1990. 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $63,900.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 38.6
US median: 35.2
Less educated
8% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 29%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

16,050
+18%since 1990
from 13,643 in 1990
1990 – 2025
37 / sq mi
+18%since 1990
from 31 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
38.6
+6%since 1990
from 36.5 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 19902024
13K14K16K17K18K1990201020202024Polk County
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$29,643
+4%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $21,663 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
$16,025
+72%since 1990
from $9,311 in 1990
US average: $21,522
13.0%
−5.2 ptssince 1990
from 18.3% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

$63,900
+29%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $37,700 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
$345
+1%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $258 in 1990
US average: $602
80.8%
−2.1 ptssince 1990
from 82.9% in 1990
19.2% rent
2.2
+24%since 1990
from 1.7 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Polk County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic99.5%(13,578)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.4%(51)
Asian0.4%(55)
Diversity Score2.1%(287)
2000
White, non-Hispanic97.8%(15,689)
Black0.1%(22)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(117)
Asian0.1%(19)
Diversity Score2.5%(397)
2
+17%since 1990
from 2 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

7.5%
+1.7 ptssince 1990
from 5.8% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
62.2%
+11.0 ptssince 1990
from 51.3% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
3.6%
+2.0 ptssince 1990
from 1.5% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

22.0 min
−20%since 1990
from 27.5 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.

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Polk County, Tennessee?

Polk County, Tennessee has about 16,050 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Polk County, Tennessee earns about $29,643 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Polk County, Tennessee expensive?

In Polk County, Tennessee, the median home is worth about $63,900, and the typical rent is about $345 a month.

How educated are people in Polk County, Tennessee?

About 7.5% of adults age 25 and over in Polk County, Tennessee hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Polk County, Tennessee?

About 13.0% of people in Polk County, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.

Has Polk County, Tennessee grown since 1990?

Yes, Polk County, Tennessee has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,407 residents, a change of about 18 percent over that period.

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

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