Polk County Summary

Life in Polk County research summary. HomeSnacks has been researching the quality of life in Polk County over the past eight years using Census data, FBI crime data, cost of living data, and other primary sources. Based on the most recently available data, we found the following about life in Polk County:

  • The population in Polk County is 19,538.

  • The median home value in Polk County is $369,133.

  • The median income in Polk County is $60,465.

  • The median rent in Polk County is $984.

  • The unemployment rate in Polk County is 4.3%.

  • The poverty rate in Polk County is 11.0%.

  • The average high in Polk County is 74.3° and there are 121.0 inches of rainfall annually.

Cities & Towns in Polk County

List Of Cities & Towns in Polk County

Tryon, NC Population 1,516

Columbus, NC Population 1,087

Saluda, NC Population 617

Map Of Polk County

Polk County, NC Weather

  • The average high in Polk County is 74.3°.

  • There are 92.4 nice days each year.

  • Expect an average of 121.0 inches of rain each year with 2.9 inches of snow.

  • There is an average of 5:19 hours of sun each day in Polk County.

StatPolk County
Mean High74.3
Nice Days92.4
Rainfall121.0
Snowfall2.9
Sunny_hours5:19
74.3°
Average High
121.0
Inches of Rain

Polk County Photos

Green River Plantation   Columbusc Nc
Source: Wikipedia User Upstateherd | CC BY-SA 4.0

Polk County Demographics

Population over time in Polk County

The current population in Polk County is 19,538. The population has decreased -5.6% from 2019.

Year Population % Change
2022 19,413 -6.1%
2021 20,682 0.6%
2020 20,557 -

Gender in Polk County

  • Polk County is 53.4% female with 10,440 female residents.

  • Polk County is 46.6% male with 9,098 male residents.

Female
53.4% (10,440)
Male
46.6% (9,098)
Gender Polk County NC USA
Female 53.4% 51.0% 50.4%
Male 46.6% 49.0% 49.6%

Race / Ethnicity in Polk County

Polk County is:

  • 85.5% White with 16,714 White residents.

  • 4.9% African American with 948 African American residents.

  • 0.1% American Indian with 26 American Indian residents.

  • 0.2% Asian with 40 Asian residents.

  • 0.0% Hawaiian with 0 Hawaiian residents.

  • 1.6% Other with 314 Other residents.

  • 1.7% Two Or More with 334 Two Or More residents.

  • 5.9% Hispanic with 1,162 Hispanic residents.

White
85.5% (16,714)
African American
4.9% (948)
American Indian
0.1% (26)
Asian
0.2% (40)
Hawaiian
0.0% (0)
Other
1.6% (314)
Two Or More
1.7% (334)
Hispanic
5.9% (1,162)

Table: Polk County By Race

Race Polk County NC USA
White 85.5% 61.7% 58.9%
African American 4.9% 20.6% 12.1%
American Indian 0.1% 0.9% 0.6%
Asian 0.2% 3.1% 5.7%
Hawaiian 0.0% 0.1% 0.2%
Other 1.6% 0.4% 0.4%
Two Or More 1.7% 3.3% 3.5%
Hispanic 5.9% 10.0% 18.7%

Household Income For Polk County, North Carolina

  • 5.1% of households in Polk County earn Less than $10,000.

  • 5.2% of households in Polk County earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 8.9% of households in Polk County earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 10.9% of households in Polk County earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 11.4% of households in Polk County earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 18.7% of households in Polk County earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 13.9% of households in Polk County earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 14.5% of households in Polk County earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 5.3% of households in Polk County earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 6.0% of households in Polk County earn $200,000 or more.

Less than $10,000
5.1% (999)
$10,000 to $14,999
5.2% (1,011)
$15,000 to $24,999
8.9% (1,736)
$25,000 to $34,999
10.9% (2,132)
$35,000 to $49,999
11.4% (2,234)
$50,000 to $74,999
18.7% (3,653)
$75,000 to $99,999
13.9% (2,719)
$100,000 to $149,999
14.5% (2,827)
$150,000 to $199,999
5.3% (1,043)
$200,000 or more
6.0% (1,180)
Income Polk County NC USA
Less than $10,000 5.1% 5.1% 4.9%
$10,000 to $14,999 5.2% 4.3% 3.8%
$15,000 to $24,999 8.9% 8.1% 7.0%
$25,000 to $34,999 10.9% 8.5% 7.4%
$35,000 to $49,999 11.4% 12.3% 10.7%
$50,000 to $74,999 18.7% 17.3% 16.1%
$75,000 to $99,999 13.9% 12.9% 12.8%
$100,000 to $149,999 14.5% 15.9% 17.1%
$150,000 to $199,999 5.3% 7.2% 8.8%
$200,000 or more 6.0% 8.5% 11.4%

Highest level of educational attainment in Polk County for adults over 25

  • 2.0% of adults in Polk County completed < 9th grade.

  • 5.0% of adults in Polk County completed 9-12th grade.

  • 27.0% of adults in Polk County completed high school / ged.

  • 22.0% of adults in Polk County completed some college.

  • 11.0% of adults in Polk County completed associate's degree.

  • 21.0% of adults in Polk County completed bachelor's degree.

  • 9.0% of adults in Polk County completed master's degree.

  • 2.0% of adults in Polk County completed professional degree.

  • 1.0% of adults in Polk County completed doctorate degree.

< 9th Grade
2% (390)
9-12th Grade
5% (976)
High School / GED
27% (5,275)
Some College
22% (4,298)
Associate's Degree
11% (2,149)
Bachelor's Degree
21% (4,102)
Master's Degree
9% (1,758)
Professional Degree
2% (390)
Doctorate Degree
1% (195)
Education Polk County NC USA
< 9th Grade 2% 4% 3%
9-12th Grade 5% 7% 6%
High School / GED 27% 25% 26%
Some College 22% 20% 20%
Associate's Degree 11% 10% 9%
Bachelor's Degree 21% 21% 21%
Master's Degree 9% 9% 10%
Professional Degree 2% 2% 2%
Doctorate Degree 1% 1% 2%

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