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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Polk County

Tennessee · 17,544 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 $45,326. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $112,700. With a median age of 46.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 46.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,544
+9%since 2000
from 16,050 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
40 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 37 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
46.8
+21%since 2000
from 38.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
13K14K16K17K18K1990201020202024Polk County
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,326
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,643 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,059
+75%since 2000
from $16,025 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
28.7%
+12.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
12.4%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 13.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade19.9%
US avg: 10%
Information8.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade8.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance7.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Other services2.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Construction2.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Public administration1.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$112,700
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $63,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$655
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $345 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
78.8%
−2.0 ptssince 2000
from 80.8% in 2000
21.2% rent
Afford Score
2.5
+15%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)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic93%(16,313)
Black0.3%(61)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(297)
Asian0.2%(33)
Other4.1%(712)
Diversity Score15.1%(2,646)
Segregation Score17.3%(3,041)
Diversity Score
15
+510%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
17
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.6%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
81.6%
+19.4 ptssince 2000
from 62.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 3.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.7 min
+35%since 2000
from 22.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
85.1%
+8.6 ptssince 2009
from 76.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.3%
−6.8 ptssince 2011
from 13.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
56.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2011
from 55.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.4%
−24.9 ptssince 2009
from 53.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
50.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
1.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
14.0%
−72.1 ptssince 2013
from 86.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+47%
Home value$261,900+132%
Population115,465+521%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POLK COUNTY VS
Fannin County
Income$57,073+26%
Home value$306,600+172%
Population26,111+40%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POLK COUNTY VS
McMinn County
Income$61,470+36%
Home value$211,800+88%
Population57,404+209%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POLK COUNTY VS
Murray County
Income$69,253+53%
Home value$180,700+60%
Population41,607+124%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Polk County, Tennessee?

Polk County, Tennessee has about 17,544 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Polk County, Tennessee earns about $45,326 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 $112,700, and the typical rent is about $655 a month.

How educated are people in Polk County, Tennessee?

About 12.6% 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 12.4% 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 3,901 residents, a change of about 29 percent over that period.

Keep going

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 →