Population 45,555 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Polk County
Household size in Polk County
| Period | Polk County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.44 | 2.45 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.38 | 2.47 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.33 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.32 | 2.40 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.12 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Polk County is a place of small households, averaging 2.32 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. The picture is much the same across Wisconsin. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.44, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.1 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.9 | 39.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.8 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.4 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.3 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
Polk County skews older: half of its residents are older than 46.4, 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 42.1, mirroring the country.
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 | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.8% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.4% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.2% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.5% | 9.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Polk County: 8.5% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 1.3 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.0% | 30.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.4% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.1% | 33.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 19.0% | 32.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.9 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Polk County is largely a place of homeowners: only 19.0% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About four in ten owners (39.9%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. The renter share has edged up 0.9 points since 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 | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.8% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.5% | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.7% | 10.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.0% | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.8 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Polk County: 17.0% 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. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 3.8 points, 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 | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1978 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1978 | 1971 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1981 | 1972 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1982 | 1974 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Polk County was built around 1982, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are newer than in Wisconsin as a whole, where the median home dates to 1974. The median year built has moved up from 1978 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the north 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 | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $699 | $758 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $736 | $821 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $784 | $904 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $997 | $1,139 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$297 | +$380 | +$606 |
The median renter in Polk County pays $997 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $297 a month since 2006–10, up 43%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 25.7% 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 north; the highest are in the south.
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 | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.4% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.1% | 28.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.0% | 30.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.3% | 33.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.9 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Polk County: 24.3% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 5.9 points, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the south and least in the northwest.
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 | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.5% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.8% | 90.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.8% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.0% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | +3.8 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%. Wisconsin as a whole looks much the same. The share with a diploma has risen 2.5 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.3% | 6.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.2% | 7.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.6% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.4% | 3.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.8 pts | −3.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Polk County runs below the national rate: 3.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 3.8 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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 | 2.32 | 46.4 | 8.5% | 19.0% | 17.0% | 1982 | $997 | 24.3% | 94.0% | 3.4% |
| Chisago County | 2.66 | 41.7 | 8.8% | 14.1% | 7.3% | 1990 | $1,252 | 24.8% | 96.0% | 4.3% |
| Barron County | 2.36 | 45.8 | 8.8% | 22.6% | 14.4% | 1975 | $928 | 23.5% | 91.6% | 2.8% |
| Isanti County | 2.62 | 40.8 | 10.4% | 16.3% | 6.3% | 1988 | $1,339 | 20.6% | 93.2% | 3.7% |
| Sherburne County | 2.85 | 37.8 | 10.5% | 16.8% | 6.3% | 1995 | $1,370 | 30.5% | 94.7% | 3.0% |
| Rusk County | 2.26 | 47.8 | 8.8% | 22.1% | 22.4% | 1978 | $904 | 16.8% | 92.6% | 5.1% |
| Stearns County | 2.53 | 37.2 | 8.9% | 32.1% | 8.2% | 1983 | $1,133 | 29.1% | 92.0% | 4.3% |
| Stevens County | 2.40 | 34.3 | 5.7% | 36.6% | 7.8% | 1969 | $956 | 32.2% | 93.5% | 1.8% |
| Forest County | 2.31 | 48.5 | 10.8% | 18.0% | 47.3% | 1979 | $592 | 16.2% | 90.5% | 2.8% |
| Big Stone County | 2.32 | 47.6 | 4.4% | 20.3% | 27.9% | 1957 | $759 | 26.0% | 93.8% | 1.6% |
| Menominee County | 2.25 | 49.0 | 10.2% | 19.3% | 20.8% | 1967 | $748 | 18.4% | 92.6% | 4.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: St. Martin Parish, LA · Fayette County, TN · Floyd County, KY · Franklin County, IL · Franklin County, KY · Franklin County, NY · Franklin County, TN · Franklin County, VA · Fulton County, NY · Gila County, AZ
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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