COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

Polk County

Wisconsin · 34,773 residents · 914.32 sq mi

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The short version

Polk County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $24,267. Population has fallen 16% since 2000, a loss of 6,546 residents. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $53,500.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $30,130

Mid-age

median age 34.6

US median: 33.0

Less educated

11% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 20%

More affordable

home values down 30%, inflation adjusted

US median home: $93,722

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

34,773

−16%vs 2000

vs 41,319 in 2000

1990 – 2025

Population density

38 / sq mi

−16%vs 2000

vs 45 / sq mi in 2000

US average: 221

Median age

34.6

−10%vs 2000

vs 38.7 in 2000

US average: 33.0

Population, 1990 – 2024

202446K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$24,267

−22%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $41,183 in 2000

US average: $30,130

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$11,291

−41%vs 2000

vs $19,129 in 2000

US average: $14,340

Poverty rate

11.8%

+4.7 ptsvs 2000

vs 7.1% in 2000

US average: 13.2%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$53,500

−30%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $100,200 in 2000

US average: $93,722

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$318

−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $440 in 2000

US average: $450

Owner-occupied

77.9%

−2.4 ptsvs 2000

vs 80.2% in 2000

22.1% rent

Afford Score

2.2

−9%vs 2000

vs 2.4 in 2000

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Polk County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000

White, non-Hispanic97.1%(40,131)

Black0.1%(56)

Hispanic / Latino0.8%(329)

Asian0.3%(105)

Other0%

Diversity Score3%(1,235)

1990

White, non-Hispanic98.8%(34,367)

Black0%(16)

Hispanic / Latino0.3%(119)

Asian0.1%(43)

Other1%(347)

Diversity Score3.7%(1,293)

Diversity Score

+24%vs 2000

vs 3 in 2000

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

11.4%

−4.1 ptsvs 2000

vs 15.6% in 2000

US average: 20.3%

High school or higher

78.0%

−7.9 ptsvs 2000

vs 85.9% in 2000

US average: 75.2%

Graduate degree

3.4%

−1.5 ptsvs 2000

vs 4.9% in 2000

US average: 7.1%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

31.1 min

+38%vs 2000

vs 22.5 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

Chisago County

Income$99,400+310%

Home value$351,900+558%

Population59,142+29%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

POLK COUNTY VS

Burnett County

Income$62,819+159%

Home value$231,300+332%

Population17,223−62%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

POLK COUNTY VS

Barron County

Income$65,933+172%

Home value$216,600+305%

Population46,484+1%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

POLK COUNTY VS

St. Croix County

Income$103,046+325%

Home value$377,700+606%

Population98,276+115%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Polk County, Wisconsin?

Polk County, Wisconsin has about 34,773 residents according to the 1990 Census.

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

The typical household in Polk County, Wisconsin earns about $24,267 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Polk County, Wisconsin expensive?

In Polk County, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $53,500, and the typical rent is about $318 a month.

How educated are people in Polk County, Wisconsin?

About 11.4% of adults age 25 and over in Polk County, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Polk County, Wisconsin?

About 11.8% of people in Polk County, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →