Median Income
$53,182
29% lower than US avg
Home Value
$80,300
72% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
11.7%
65% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
40.7%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment
1.1%
69% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate
5.8%
53% lower than US avg
How Polk Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population331
Median Age43.2 yrs
Density676/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 90%
Veterans8.2%
Economy
A
Median Income$53,182
Per Capita$28,281
Unemployment1.1%
Poverty5.8%
County GDP$467M
Commute25 min
Housing
A+
Home Value$80,300
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$164,531
Rent Burden32.2%
Health
Obesity40.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression18.5%
Heart Disease5.4%
Climate
Avg Temp51°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain28.8 in/yr
Elevation1,744 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+11.7%
High School+97.0%
School Score5.94
Community
2024 VoteR 81% / D 18%
Commute25 min
Broadband85.6%
Libraries4
Is Polk a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Polk receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Polk offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Polk is $53,182, 29% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.1%. Only 5.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Polk is $80,300, 72% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Education
11.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.
Climate & Weather
Polk experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 28.8 inches, including 29.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.
Polk has a population of 331 with a density of 676 people per square mile. The median age is 43.2 years, 11% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.7%).
Population
43.2yrs
Median Age
11% above US avg
Language Spoken at Home
| English Only | 87.8% |
| 12% above US avg |
| Spanish | 12.2% |
| 9% below US avg |
The median household income in Polk is $53,182, which is 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.
Income
| Median HH Income | $53,182 |
| 29% below US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $28,281 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $914 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $77,206 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 1.1% |
| 69% below US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% |
| 53% below US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 172 |
| County GDP | $467M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 6 |
| Healthcare | 9 |
| Retail | 17 |
| Manufacturing | 7 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $2,950 |
| 16% below US avg |
| Effective Tax Rate | 3.67% |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 25.3 min |
| Drive Alone | 73.9% |
| Public Transit | 1.1% |
| Work from Home | 4.3% |
The median home value in Polk is $80,300, 72% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $164,531.
Home Values
| Census Median | $80,300 |
| 72% below US avg |
| Zillow ZHVI | $164,531 |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $666 |
| 1 Bedroom | $732 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $961 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,152 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,284 |
Ownership & Property
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $2,950 |
| 16% below US avg |
| Effective Rate | 3.67% |
In Polk, 40.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 18.5% report depression. 26.3% are physically inactive.
Health Metrics: Polk vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 40.7% |
| 27% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 8.9% |
| Heart Disease | 5.4% |
| High Blood Pressure | 29.5% |
| Asthma | 9.5% |
| COPD | 5.7% |
| Stroke | 2.7% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| |
| Binge Drinking | 22.6% |
| Physical Inactivity | 26.3% |
| Depression | 18.5% |
| Mental Distress | 15.6% |
| Physical Distress | 11.4% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 85.7% |
| |
| Checkup Rate | 70.8% |
| Premature Death | 7,162/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 8.7/10 |
| Exercise Access | 29.3% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 9 |
Crime Rates: Polk vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Traffic Safety
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 2 |
Safety Score
Polk has an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 28.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 50.5°F |
| 6% below US avg |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
Precipitation & Snow
| Annual Rainfall | 28.8 inches |
| 24% below US avg |
| Snowfall | 29.3 inches/yr |
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,744 ft (532 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 676/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.0752°N, 97.7838°W |
| County FIPS | 31143 |