CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Polk County

Wisconsin · 44,977 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 $61,814. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $177,100. With a median age of 46.5, 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 46.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
23% 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
44,977
+9%since 2000
from 41,319 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
49 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 45 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
46.5
+20%since 2000
from 38.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
34K37K40K43K47K1990201020202024Polk County
202446K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$61,814
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,183 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,995
+67%since 2000
from $19,129 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
40.1%
+12.9 ptssince 2009
from 27.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
9.3%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade24%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade8.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Information8.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services4.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Public administration3.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Construction3%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$177,100
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $100,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$770
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $440 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
79.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 80.2% in 2000
20.6% rent
Afford Score
2.9
+18%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)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.9%(41,772)
Black0.4%(159)
Hispanic / Latino2.1%(947)
Asian0.5%(205)
Other2.4%(1,076)
Diversity Score13%(5,853)
Segregation Score21.8%(9,818)
Diversity Score
13
+335%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
22
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.6%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 15.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
94.1%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 85.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.9%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 4.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.8 min
+32%since 2000
from 22.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.8%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 78.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.9%
−3.9 ptssince 2011
from 7.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
63.6%
−3.2 ptssince 2011
from 66.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
33.6%
−25.4 ptssince 2009
from 59.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
49.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
1.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.8%
−83.7 ptssince 2013
from 89.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+61%
Home value$351,900+99%
Population59,142+29%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POLK COUNTY VS
Burnett County
Income$62,819+2%
Home value$231,300+31%
Population17,223−62%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POLK COUNTY VS
Barron County
Income$65,933+7%
Home value$216,600+22%
Population46,484+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POLK COUNTY VS
St. Croix County
Income$103,046+67%
Home value$377,700+113%
Population98,276+115%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Polk County, Wisconsin?

Polk County, Wisconsin has about 44,977 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Polk County, Wisconsin earns about $61,814 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 $177,100, and the typical rent is about $770 a month.

How educated are people in Polk County, Wisconsin?

About 22.6% 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 9.3% 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 10,204 residents, a change of about 29 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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