Polk, OH

Ohio

Polk is a small town in Ohio with a population of 535. Residents earn $63,438 per year, which is 16% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
535 Population 530/sq mi density
$63,438 Median Income $24,289 per capita
$122,300 Home Value $260,034 Zillow
$755 Median Rent 16.3% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature 282 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$63,438 median income, 0.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$122,300 home value, $755/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $63,438
16% lower than US avg
Home Value $122,300
57% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.7%
65% lower than US avg
Median Rent $755
35% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.6%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.8%
78% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.5%
65% higher than US avg

How Polk Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population535
Median Age32.4 yrs
Density530/mi²
Male / Female62% / 38%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans6.4%

Economy

B+
Median Income$63,438
Per Capita$24,289
Unemployment0.8%
Poverty20.5%
County GDP$2,446M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$122,300
Rent$755
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$260,034
Housing Units151
Rent Burden16.3%

Health

Obesity39.6%
Uninsured9.4%
Smoking19.7%
Depression28.0%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Sunny Days282/yr
Elevation1,268 ft (386 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.7%
High School+83.3%
Graduate+5.4%
School Score5.90

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 25%
Commute26 min
Broadband93.7%
Libraries3

Is Polk a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Polk receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, 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 $63,438, 16% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.8%. The poverty rate of 20.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Polk is $122,300, 57% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $755 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x 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%. 83.3% 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 50°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 282 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Polk has a population of 535 with a density of 530 people per square mile. The median age is 32.4 years, 17% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.1%).

Population

535
Total Population
530
People / sq mi
32.4yrs
Median Age
17% below US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 62.1%
Female 37.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Polk vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.3%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.7%
95% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Polk vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Polk is $63,438, which is 16% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 20.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Polk vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$63,438
16% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,289
Avg Weekly Wage$940
IRS Avg AGI$63,002

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.8%
78% below US avg
Poverty Rate20.5%
65% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,236
County GDP$2,446M

Business (County)

Restaurants97
Healthcare111
Retail148
Manufacturing83

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,863
10% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.16%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.1 min
Drive Alone75.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Polk is $122,300, 57% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $755 (35% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $260,034.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$122,300
57% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$260,034

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$87
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio94.1%
Price Drops0.0%

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$755
35% below US avg
Rent Burden16.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$816
1 Bedroom$873
2 Bedrooms$1,092
3 Bedrooms$1,388
4 Bedrooms$1,550

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied87.4%
Housing Units151
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,863
10% above US avg
Effective Rate3.16%
In Polk, 39.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.4% of residents lack health insurance. 19.7% are current smokers. 28.0% report depression. 30.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Polk vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.6%
23% above US avg
Diabetes11.8%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure35.9%
Asthma11.3%
COPD8.8%
Cancer7.6%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking19.7%
41% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.5%
Physical Inactivity30.5%
Depression28.0%
Mental Distress20.1%
Physical Distress15.2%
Short Sleep34.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.5%
Uninsured9.4%
9% above US avg
Checkup Rate76.9%
Dental Visits61.7%
Premature Death9,329/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access56.9%
Healthcare Facilities111
Polk has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area enjoys 282 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-4°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average49.7°F
8% below US avg
January Average26°F (-4°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days282 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,268 ft (386 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density530/sq mi
Coordinates40.9452°N, 82.2143°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS39005
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 11.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (65% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 50-point margin. 93.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74.5%
D 24.5%

Winner: Republican by 50 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.7%
65% below US avg
High School+83.3%
Graduate Degree+5.4%
School Test Score5.90
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density530/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access93.7%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities111
Restaurants97
Retail Stores148

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.1 min
Drive Alone75.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.1%

Nearby Cities

Cinnamon Lake, OH 1,072 pop · 3.0 mi West Salem, OH 1,301 pop · 5.8 mi Ashland, OH 19,008 pop · 7.5 mi Lodi, OH 2,757 pop · 12.5 mi New London, OH 2,742 pop · 13.7 mi Wellington, OH 4,514 pop · 14.3 mi Westfield Center, OH 1,248 pop · 15.8 mi Creston, OH 2,246 pop · 16.6 mi Greenwich, OH 1,274 pop · 17.0 mi Wooster, OH 27,012 pop · 17.2 mi Pheasant Run, OH 1,093 pop · 18.7 mi Seville, OH 2,115 pop · 18.8 mi Smithville, OH 1,339 pop · 19.3 mi Roseland, OH 1,859 pop · 20.6 mi
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