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Polk, PA

Pennsylvania

Polk is a small town in Pennsylvania with a population of 692. Residents earn $44,250 per year, which is 41% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
692 Population 341/sq mi density
$44,250 Median Income $21,262 per capita
$87,500 Home Value $141,095 Zillow
$689 Median Rent 33.1% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
124 Violent Crime/100K 124 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$44,250 median income, 3.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$87,500 home value, $689/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
124 violent crimes/100K (67% below avg)
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $44,250
41% lower than US avg
Home Value $87,500
69% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 124/100K
67% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.6%
66% lower than US avg
Median Rent $689
41% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.8%
6% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.3%
48% higher than US avg

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

People

Population692
Median Age53.5 yrs
Density341/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 93%
Veterans7.7%

Economy

B
Median Income$44,250
Per Capita$21,262
Unemployment3.8%
Poverty18.3%
County GDP$2,149M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$87,500
Rent$689
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$141,095
Housing Units281
Rent Burden33.1%

Crime

F
Violent124/100K
Property124/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault124/100K
Burglary0/100K

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (9°C)
AQI40 (Good)
Rain46.3 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation1,065 ft (325 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.6%
High School+75.5%
Graduate+8.6%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 29%
Commute20 min
Broadband74.9%
Libraries3

Is Polk a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Polk receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Polk has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Polk is $44,250, 41% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.8%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 18.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Polk is $87,500, 69% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $689 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Polk is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 124 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 124 per 100,000, 94% below the national average.

Education

11.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 75.5% 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 49°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 46.3 inches, including 53.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Polk has a population of 692 with a density of 341 people per square mile. The median age is 53.5 years, 38% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.5%), with 2.6% Black.

Population

692
Total Population
341
People / sq mi
53.5yrs
Median Age
38% above US avg
2.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.6%
Female 50.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Polk vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Polk vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Polk is $44,250, which is 41% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 18.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Polk vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$44,250
41% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,262
Avg Weekly Wage$948
IRS Avg AGI$58,332

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.8%
6% above US avg
Poverty Rate18.3%
48% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,208
County GDP$2,149M

Business (County)

Restaurants104
Healthcare172
Retail193
Manufacturing83

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,233
21% above US avg
Cost of Living97.60 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate4.84%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.5 min
Drive Alone92.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Polk is $87,500, 69% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $689 (41% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $141,095.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$87,500
69% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$141,095

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$689
41% below US avg
Rent Burden33.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$900
1 Bedroom$996
2 Bedrooms$1,225
3 Bedrooms$1,570
4 Bedrooms$1,744

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied77.0%
Housing Units281
Median Year Built1951

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,233
21% above US avg
Effective Rate4.84%
Polk has a violent crime rate of 124 per 100,000 residents, 67% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 124 per 100,000 (94% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Polk vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent124.4/100K
67% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault124.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property124.4/100K
94% below US avg
Burglary0.0/100K
Theft124.4/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Polk has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.3 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average49.0°F
9% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.3 inches
22% above US avg
Snowfall53.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,065 ft (325 m)
Area2.0 sq mi (5.3 km²)
Population Density341/sq mi
Coordinates41.3684°N, 79.9293°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS42121
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 11.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (66% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 42.1-point margin. 74.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.6%
D 28.5%

Winner: Republican by 42.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.6%
66% below US avg
High School+75.5%
Graduate Degree+8.6%
School Test Score5.95
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density341/sq mi
Total Area2.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access74.9%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities172
Restaurants104
Retail Stores193

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.5 min
Drive Alone92.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.2%

Nearby Cities

Sugarcreek, PA 4,745 pop · 7.2 mi Seneca, PA 1,455 pop · 11.6 mi Cochranton, PA 1,193 pop · 12.1 mi Woodland Heights, PA 1,446 pop · 12.2 mi Oil City, PA 9,517 pop · 12.2 mi Hasson Heights, PA 1,335 pop · 14.2 mi Grove City, PA 7,861 pop · 16.8 mi Mercer, PA 1,847 pop · 18.7 mi Slippery Rock, PA 3,434 pop · 21.7 mi Slippery Rock University, PA 2,724 pop · 21.8 mi Titusville, PA 5,230 pop · 22.4 mi Meadville, PA 12,723 pop · 22.4 mi Knox, PA 1,032 pop · 22.4 mi Greenville, PA 5,533 pop · 23.7 mi
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