Population 5,225 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Polk County
Household size in Polk County
| Period | Polk County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.43 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.32 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.51 | 2.51 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.44 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Polk County run small, averaging 2.44 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. The picture is much the same across Nebraska. Households are largest in the east and smallest in the south.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Polk County
| Period | Polk County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.6 | 37.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.4 | 37.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.9 | 38.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.0 | 38.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.4 | +0.9 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 45.0, Polk County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has crept up from 44.6 in 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Residents skew youngest in the east and oldest in the southwest.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Polk County
| Period | Polk County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.7% | 10.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.1% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.5% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.1% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | +0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Polk County: 6.1% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 0.7 points, as it has nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Polk County
Renters in Polk County
| Period | Polk County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.9% | 31.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 25.2% | 33.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.9% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.1% | 33.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.9 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Polk County is largely a place of homeowners: only 21.1% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Nearly six in ten owners (57.5%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 3.9 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Polk County
| Period | Polk County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.6% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.5% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 22.7% | 9.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.5% | 7.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.1 pts | −2.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Polk County: 14.5% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 2.1 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Polk County
| Period | Polk County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1952 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1956 | 1970 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1956 | 1972 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1957 | 1975 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +6 | +6 |
The housing in Polk County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1957, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1952 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the southwest has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Polk County
| Period | Polk County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $517 | $730 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $597 | $805 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $633 | $911 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $730 | $1,159 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$213 | +$429 | +$606 |
The median renter in Polk County pays $730 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $213 a month from 2006–10, a 41% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 22.4% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Rents run highest in the east and lowest in the center.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Polk County
Bachelor's degrees in Polk County
| Period | Polk County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.9% | 29.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.4% | 30.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.8% | 32.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.3% | 34.9% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.4 pts | +5.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Polk County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 20.3%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has risen 4.4 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Polk County has a lower share of college graduates than at least four in five Nebraska counties.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Polk County
| Period | Polk County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 92.8% | 90.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.0% | 90.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.3% | 91.3% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.0% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | +1.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Polk County is above the national rate: 94.0% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged up 1.2 points, a smaller shift than nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Polk County
| Period | Polk County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.6% | 5.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.0% | 5.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.8% | 3.4% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.2% | 3.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.4 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Polk County has been low: just 1.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 3.4 points, in line with the national trend. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Polk County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County | 2.44 | 45.0 | 6.1% | 21.1% | 14.5% | 1957 | $730 | 20.3% | 94.0% | 1.2% |
| Butler County | 2.37 | 41.8 | 4.9% | 20.1% | 12.5% | 1964 | $901 | 23.8% | 91.0% | 1.2% |
| Merrick County | 2.38 | 43.1 | 6.8% | 17.8% | 10.8% | 1965 | $842 | 19.0% | 91.7% | 0.3% |
| Howard County | 2.60 | 41.7 | 10.8% | 21.8% | 16.3% | 1961 | $939 | 25.6% | 96.0% | 3.7% |
| Saunders County | 2.62 | 40.4 | 7.8% | 17.9% | 12.0% | 1970 | $989 | 33.3% | 97.0% | 3.0% |
| Sherman County | 2.21 | 46.4 | 6.0% | 24.6% | 24.0% | 1955 | $779 | 20.7% | 92.1% | 3.3% |
| Douglas County | 2.55 | 36.7 | 11.6% | 38.5% | 6.3% | 1977 | $1,396 | 42.3% | 91.2% | 4.1% |
| Sarpy County | 2.71 | 37.0 | 9.5% | 29.6% | 4.6% | 1994 | $1,451 | 43.2% | 95.6% | 2.5% |
| Pottawattamie County | 2.45 | 41.1 | 11.3% | 30.1% | 7.3% | 1967 | $1,056 | 23.9% | 90.6% | 3.7% |
| Mills County | 2.67 | 42.2 | 9.2% | 16.5% | 11.2% | 1969 | $937 | 30.9% | 96.8% | 1.9% |
| Montgomery County | 2.24 | 44.0 | 11.5% | 30.9% | 8.5% | 1960 | $844 | 20.7% | 91.4% | 2.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Fall River County, SD · Sterling County, TX · Stephens County, TX · Steele County, ND · Stark County, IL · Stanton County, NE · Stanton County, KS · Stanley County, SD · Stafford County, KS · Spink County, SD
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Polk County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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