Population 52,800 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Polk County
Household size in Polk County
| Period | Polk County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.56 | 2.87 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.47 | 2.93 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.50 | 2.95 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.59 | 2.83 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.03 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in Polk County average 2.59 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). The typical household here is smaller than in Texas as a whole, where it has 2.83 people. Household size has crept up from 2.56 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell.
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 | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.6 | 34.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.1 | 35.4 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.4 | 36.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.4 | 36.7 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.8 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 44.4, 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 43.6 in 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. The youngest areas are in the northeast, the oldest in the southeast.
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 | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.9% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.2% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.2% | 13.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.9% | 12.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are more common in Polk County than nationally: 13.9%, against 11.6%. Texas as a whole looks much the same. The single-parent share is down 1.0 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.1% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.9% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.0% | 38.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.9% | 37.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.8 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Polk County is largely a place of homeowners: only 21.9% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 61.5% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 0.8 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.9% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.4% | 10.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 28.0% | 10.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.8% | 9.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.9 pts | −2.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 24.8% of the housing in Polk County, 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. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 2.9 points, even as the national rate fell.
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 | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1981 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1986 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1986 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1990 | 1992 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +8 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Polk County is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1990, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1981 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the west, while the center 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 | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $640 | $921 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $694 | $1,005 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $770 | $1,178 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,027 | $1,560 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$387 | +$639 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Polk County costs $1,027 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $387 a month since 2006–10, up 61%, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 31.4% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the south; the most affordable are in the northeast.
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 | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.6% | 27.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.7% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.5% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.6% | 34.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.0 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Polk County: 17.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 7.0 points since 2006–10, 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 | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 74.9% | 80.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 78.9% | 82.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 81.7% | 83.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 83.8% | 85.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +8.9 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in six adults in Polk County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 83.8% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 8.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.7% | 7.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.0% | 7.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.6% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.6% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.9 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Polk County runs well above the national rate: 9.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Of Texas' 254 counties, only nine have higher unemployment. Unemployment has edged up 0.9 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 | 2.59 | 44.4 | 13.9% | 21.9% | 24.8% | 1990 | $1,027 | 17.6% | 83.8% | 9.6% |
| Tyler County | 2.55 | 43.5 | 11.3% | 18.8% | 24.8% | 1985 | $1,014 | 12.3% | 86.0% | 7.8% |
| Walker County | 2.57 | 37.9 | 9.3% | 43.5% | 16.9% | 1989 | $1,026 | 22.7% | 85.0% | 10.5% |
| Jasper County | 2.30 | 43.6 | 12.2% | 21.0% | 16.1% | 1987 | $905 | 15.6% | 90.0% | 12.1% |
| Newton County | 2.55 | 46.3 | 11.0% | 17.1% | 21.4% | 1990 | $1,004 | 7.4% | 85.3% | 8.1% |
| Brazos County | 2.48 | 30.1 | 10.7% | 53.2% | 11.6% | 1998 | $1,405 | 50.2% | 91.1% | 6.7% |
| Beauregard Parish | 2.68 | 37.8 | 11.1% | 15.2% | 14.1% | 1993 | $897 | 17.1% | 87.3% | 6.3% |
| Milam County | 2.49 | 42.7 | 8.5% | 23.1% | 13.1% | 1984 | $1,106 | 20.4% | 88.9% | 5.2% |
| Allen Parish | 2.47 | 36.9 | 16.6% | 26.0% | 17.5% | 1982 | $728 | 12.9% | 81.2% | 8.3% |
| Evangeline Parish | 2.59 | 38.4 | 20.9% | 33.8% | 14.8% | 1982 | $778 | 15.0% | 76.2% | 8.0% |
| Burnet County | 2.49 | 45.5 | 8.3% | 23.7% | 15.2% | 1995 | $1,242 | 27.9% | 88.6% | 2.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Somerset County, ME · Grady County, OK · Hancock County, ME · Hancock County, MS · Hardin County, TX · Harrisonburg City, VA · Hawkins County, TN · Henry County, VA · Hillsdale County, MI · Shelby County, IN
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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