Population 17,898 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Polk County
Household size in Polk County
| Period | Polk County | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.60 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.49 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.25 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.45 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.15 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Polk County has 2.45 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.60, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the north and smallest in the southeast.
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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.4 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.5 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.2 | 39.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.7 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.4 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
Polk County skews older: half of its residents are older than 44.7, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 42.4, in line with the national trend.
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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.5% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 12.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.1% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.3% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Polk County than nationally: 9.3%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 2.3 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than 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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.3% | 30.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.0% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.3% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 16.4% | 33.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.9 pts | +2.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 16.4% of households in Polk County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Nearly six in ten owners (58.2%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 2.9 points, even as the national share rose. Few Tennessee counties have a lower share of renters: only three of 95.
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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.9% | 11.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.9% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.7% | 11.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.8% | 10.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Polk County: 17.8% 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 2.2 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1978 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1982 | 1982 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1984 | 1983 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1989 | 1986 | 1980 |
| Change | +11 | +6 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Polk County is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1989, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. That is in line with the rest of Tennessee. The median year built has moved up from 1978 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $525 | $761 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $625 | $837 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $693 | $961 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $733 | $1,286 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$207 | +$526 | +$606 |
Rent in Polk County runs $733 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $207 a month since 2006–10, up 39%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 26.5% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the east; the highest are in the north.
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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.6% | 23.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.2% | 25.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.0% | 27.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.5% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.9 pts | +7.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Polk County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 16.5%, against 35.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 6.9 points, in line with the national trend.
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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 71.2% | 83.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 77.2% | 85.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 82.6% | 87.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 85.8% | 89.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +14.6 pts | +6.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in seven adults in Polk County never finished high school, more than nationally: 85.8% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 14.6 points, a much bigger 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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.6% | 8.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.9% | 9.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.8% | 5.4% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.4% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.2 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.4%, unemployment in Polk County is the same as the national rate. Unemployment is down 7.2 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. 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 | 2.45 | 44.7 | 9.3% | 16.4% | 17.8% | 1989 | $733 | 16.5% | 85.8% | 5.4% |
| Bradley County | 2.58 | 40.6 | 10.8% | 32.7% | 8.3% | 1986 | $1,068 | 25.1% | 88.6% | 6.4% |
| Cherokee County | 2.22 | 53.5 | 8.6% | 16.3% | 25.9% | 1993 | $880 | 24.8% | 92.4% | 3.5% |
| Hamilton County | 2.47 | 40.5 | 10.7% | 36.1% | 9.1% | 1981 | $1,317 | 36.9% | 90.8% | 4.7% |
| Clay County | 2.28 | 56.5 | 5.8% | 18.8% | 32.5% | 1989 | $773 | 32.3% | 92.7% | 3.3% |
| Marion County | 2.47 | 43.0 | 12.7% | 21.5% | 14.6% | 1985 | $885 | 17.3% | 83.1% | 7.1% |
| Macon County | 2.10 | 49.6 | 6.2% | 22.4% | 26.9% | 1987 | $822 | 27.3% | 89.9% | 2.9% |
| Franklin County | 2.40 | 42.7 | 8.3% | 22.6% | 13.6% | 1984 | $961 | 25.6% | 91.8% | 2.8% |
| Moore County | 2.49 | 45.6 | 10.4% | 17.5% | 8.3% | 1992 | $912 | 22.8% | 91.3% | 4.6% |
| Transylvania County | 2.27 | 49.5 | 8.8% | 25.3% | 20.7% | 1982 | $1,225 | 38.9% | 93.7% | 2.8% |
| Lincoln County | 2.42 | 42.3 | 11.4% | 24.2% | 9.4% | 1984 | $869 | 20.8% | 87.4% | 5.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Dixie County, FL · Swift County, MN · Swain County, NC · Sussex County, VA · Sublette County, WY · Stillwater County, MT · Somervell County, TX · Dukes County, MA · Duchesne County, UT · Drew County, AR
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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