At a Glance
Median Income
$53,182
$28,281 per capita
Home Value
$80,300
Zillow: $171,023
Bachelor's Degree+
11.7%
97.0% high school+
Unemployment
1.6%
5.8% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
40.7%
14.5% smoking rate
How Polk Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Polk's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Polk a Good Place to Live?
B+
3.6 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Polk residents earn a median household income of $53,182 , which is 29% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $28,281. The unemployment rate stands at 1.6% (56% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 5.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 172 business establishments, including 6 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Polk is $80,300 , 72% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $171,023. The cost of living index is 90.1 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1938.
Education
11.7% of adults in Polk hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(65% below the national average).
97.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.9/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Polk has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C).
Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 28.1 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population331
Median Age43.2 yrs
Density676/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Foreign Born5.1%
Veterans8.2%
Economy
A
Median Income$53,182
Per Capita$28,281
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty5.8%
County GDP$467M
Avg Weekly Wage$914
Housing
A+
Home Value$80,300
Rent
Ownership87.0%
Zillow$171,023
Housing Units179
Rent Burden32.2%
Health
Obesity40.7%
Diabetes8.9%
Smoking14.5%
Heart Disease5.4%
Premature Death7,162/100K
Climate
Avg Temp50°F
Rain28.1 in/yr
Elevation1,744 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+11.7%
High School+97.0%
Graduate+8.1%
School Score5.9/10
Community
2024 VoteR 81% / D 18%
Commute25 min
Broadband85.6%
Internet Speed31 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries4
Did You Know?
The median home in Polk was built in 1938.
The nearest airport is Central Nebraska Regional (28 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.382 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
15.4% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 2 fatal vehicle crashes.