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COUNTY · 2010 ACS

Polk County

Wisconsin · 44,205 residents · 914.32 sq mi
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The short version

Polk County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $49,806. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $170,300. 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
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 34%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
44,205
+7%since 2000
from 41,319 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
48 / sq mi
+7%since 2000
from 45 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
42.5
+10%since 2000
from 38.7 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
34K37K40K43K47K1990201020202024Polk County
202446K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$49,806
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,183 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,704
+29%since 2000
from $19,129 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
26.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 27.2% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
9.6%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.395
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade24.4%
US avg: 10.9%
Information10.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade8.3%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance4.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.4%
US avg: 4.2%
Construction3.2%
US avg: 1.4%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$170,300
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $100,200 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$659
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $440 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
55.0%
−25.2 ptssince 2000
from 80.2% in 2000
21.2% rent
Vacancy rate
24.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 25.5% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
35.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 34.9% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
42.9%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 42.7% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.4
+41%since 2000
from 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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic96.1%(42,475)
Black0.2%(91)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(656)
Asian0.3%(148)
Other1.6%(709)
Diversity Score8.9%(3,922)
Diversity Score
9
+197%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.4%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 15.6% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
91.4%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 85.9% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
5.5%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 4.9% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.9 min
+24%since 2000
from 22.5 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
79.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 78.6% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
12.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 12.4% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
4.6%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
3.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
12.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.4% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
26.2%
−32.7 ptssince 2009
from 59.0% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
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
1.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
12.2%
−37.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Polk County

Calaveras County
Pop 46,605
Bingham County
Pop 51,153
Tuolumne County
Pop 53,160
Montrose County
Pop 44,591
Places similar to Polk County
Head to head

Compare Polk County to nearby counties

POLK COUNTY VS
Chisago County
Income$99,400+100%
Home value$351,900+107%
Population59,142+29%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POLK COUNTY VS
Burnett County
Income$62,819+26%
Home value$231,300+36%
Population17,223−62%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POLK COUNTY VS
Barron County
Income$65,933+32%
Home value$216,600+27%
Population46,484+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POLK COUNTY VS
St. Croix County
Income$103,046+107%
Home value$377,700+122%
Population98,276+115%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Polk County, Wisconsin?

Polk County, Wisconsin has about 44,205 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Polk County, Wisconsin earns about $49,806 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 $170,300, and the typical rent is about $659 a month.

How educated are people in Polk County, Wisconsin?

About 18.4% 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 9.6% of people in Polk County, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has Polk County, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, Polk County, Wisconsin has grown since 1990. The population has added about 9,432 residents, a change of about 27 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

14 census tracts
Census Tract 9608Census Tract 9610Census Tract 9611Census Tract 9601Census Tract 9607.01Census Tract 9602Census Tract 9609.01Census Tract 9605Census Tract 9609.02Census Tract 9606Census Tract 9603.02Census Tract 9607.02Census Tract 9603.01Census Tract 9603.03
14 ZIP codes
ZIP 54001ZIP 54020ZIP 54024ZIP 54837ZIP 54853ZIP 54005ZIP 54810ZIP 54889ZIP 54009ZIP 54026ZIP 54824ZIP 54858ZIP 54826ZIP 54006
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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