County · North Carolina
Polk County, North Carolina
Polk County, North Carolina. Polk County had 20,533 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 6.3% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 3 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 37149.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
20,533
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 19,328 · ACS 2020-2024: 19,891
Median household income
$67,758
±$6,109 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$315,000
±$21,515 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,178
±$119 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Polk County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 19,328 residents in Polk County. The Census Bureau estimates 20,533 for July 1, 2025, up 6.3% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 19,891 over 238 square miles of land.
| Measure | Polk County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 19,891 | 10,730,404 | −666 |
| Households | 8,976±238 | 4,282,345 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.18±0.06 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,042±93 | 4,895,668 | −677 |
Polk County's population since 2000
From 18,324 in 2000 to 20,533 in 2025: up 12.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Polk County?
Polk County holds 3 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Tryon with 1,634 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Polk County?
The median resident of Polk County is 54.9 years old; 15.3% are under 18 and 32.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.6%. 4.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Polk County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 54.9±0.2 | 39.1 | +2.2 |
| Under 18 years | 15.3%±0.2 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 32.6%±0.3 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.6% | 11.3% | −0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.6%±0.4 pts | 60.0% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.4%±0.5 pts | 20.0% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.3 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.1%±0.6 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.5%±0.9 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.5%±1.1 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.6%±1.1 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 17.1%±2.2 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.9%±2.1 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.4%±1.5 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 36.2%±2.8 pts | 35.7% | +7.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.8%±1.8 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 7.0%±2.3 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Polk County earn?
Half of Polk County's 8,976 households earn less than $67,758 a year (±$6,109), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $60,042 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,716 after inflation. 14.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Polk County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $67,758±$6,109 | $72,388 | +$7,716 |
| Mean household income | $96,279±$8,622 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $43,211±$3,551 | $41,385 | +$5,360 |
| People below the poverty line | 14.0%±2.8 pts | 13.0% | +4.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.9%±6.8 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.7%±2.0 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.8%±2.4 pts | 90.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Polk County?
Owners occupy 76.9% of Polk County's occupied homes and renters 23.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $315,000 by its owner (±$21,515). The median renter pays $1,178 a month including utilities, and 42.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Polk County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $315,000±$21,515 | $288,900 | +$37,232 |
| Median gross rent | $1,178±$119 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.7%±7.0 pts | 39.6% | +10.6 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,415±$84 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.9%±3.3 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,042±93 | 4,895,668 | −677 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.8%±1.2 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.5%±4.2 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 79.3%±2.3 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 10.6%±1.9 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.1%±0.9 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.5%±2.0 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Polk County building?
Builders took permits for 141 new housing units across Polk County in 2025 (141 single-family), 6.9 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Polk County get to work?
70.4% of Polk County's workers drive alone and 15.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.1%.
| Measure | Polk County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.8%±2.2 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.1%±1.6 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 70.4%±4.3 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.6%±2.8 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.8%±1.0 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.8%±3.3 pts | 16.3% | +10.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.4 min±2.1 | 25.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Polk County's census tracts?
Polk County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $50,119 (Tract 9202.02) to $89,316 (Tract 9202.01).
| Tract 9201.0137149920101 | 2,768±305 | $51,409 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9201.0337149920103 | 2,900±416 | $75,000 |
| Tract 9201.0437149920104 | 3,332±371 | $72,069 |
| Tract 9202.0137149920201 | 2,849±351 | $89,316 |
| Tract 9202.0237149920202 | 1,915±255 | $50,119 |
| Tract 9203.0137149920301 | 1,130±151 | $61,250 |
| Tract 9203.0337149920303 | 2,202±328 | $66,719 |
| Tract 9203.0437149920304 | 2,795±308 | $70,574 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Polk County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 81st of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 30th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 64th of 100 |
| Median household income | 29th of 100 |
| Median home value | 21st of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 19th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 53rd of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17th of 100 |
| Median age | 3rd of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Polk County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.