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COUNTY · 2010 ACS

Polk County

Tennessee · 16,825 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 $34,027. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $96,300. With a median age of 42.5, the population is older than the US median of 37.2.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 42.5
US median: 37.2
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,825
+5%since 2000
from 16,050 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
39 / sq mi
+5%since 2000
from 37 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
42.5
+10%since 2000
from 38.6 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
13K14K16K17K18K1990201020202024Polk County
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$34,027
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,643 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,481
+9%since 2000
from $16,025 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
16.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.4% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
18.4%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.0% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.428
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade27.6%
US avg: 10.9%
Information9.9%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade9.8%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance4.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4.1%
US avg: 7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.5%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction3%
US avg: 1.4%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$96,300
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $63,900 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$546
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $345 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
38.3%
−42.5 ptssince 2000
from 80.8% in 2000
20.8% rent
Vacancy rate
20.1%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 18.2% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
23.4%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 19.7% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
32.9%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 26.5% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.8
+31%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Polk County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.8%(15,689)
Black0.1%(22)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(117)
Asian0.1%(19)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.5%(397)
2010
White, non-Hispanic96.7%(16,262)
Black0.3%(50)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(233)
Asian0.1%(23)
Other1.8%(306)
Diversity Score8.8%(1,488)
Diversity Score
9
+258%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.1%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
70.8%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 62.2% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
3.6%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 3.6% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.0 min
+37%since 2000
from 22.0 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
77.4%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 76.5% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
14.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
5.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.4%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
5.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
11.1%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
22.5%
−30.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.3% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
50.0%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
1.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
10.1%
−39.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Polk County

Henry County
Pop 18,394
Plumas County
Pop 18,583
Gilchrist County
Pop 20,488
Jasper County
Pop 17,632
Places similar to Polk County
Head to head

Compare Polk County to nearby counties

POLK COUNTY VS
Bradley County
Income$66,552+96%
Home value$261,900+172%
Population115,465+521%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POLK COUNTY VS
Fannin County
Income$57,073+68%
Home value$306,600+218%
Population26,111+40%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POLK COUNTY VS
McMinn County
Income$61,470+81%
Home value$211,800+120%
Population57,404+209%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POLK COUNTY VS
Murray County
Income$69,253+104%
Home value$180,700+88%
Population41,607+124%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Polk County, Tennessee?

Polk County, Tennessee has about 16,825 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Polk County, Tennessee earns about $34,027 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 $96,300, and the typical rent is about $546 a month.

How educated are people in Polk County, Tennessee?

About 10.1% 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 18.4% 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 3,182 residents, a change of about 23 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

6 census tracts
Census Tract 9503Census Tract 9504Census Tract 9502.04Census Tract 9502.03Census Tract 9502.01Census Tract 9501
10 ZIP codes
ZIP 37307ZIP 37362ZIP 37317ZIP 37361ZIP 37325ZIP 37391ZIP 37369ZIP 37333ZIP 37326ZIP 37316
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →