County · Tennessee
Polk County, Tennessee
Polk County, Tennessee. Polk County had 18,592 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 6.0% since 2020, in line with Tennessee (+5.8%). It holds 7 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 4 census-designated) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 47139.
Polk County is one of the 2 counties of the Cleveland, TN metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
18,592
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 17,544 · ACS 2020-2024: 17,898
Median household income
$62,522
±$6,119 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $69,595
Median home value
$169,900
±$13,999 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $286,700
Median gross rent
$676
±$58 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $1,189
How many people live in Polk County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 17,544 residents in Polk County. The Census Bureau estimates 18,592 for July 1, 2025, up 6.0% since 2020, in line with Tennessee (+5.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 17,898 over 435 square miles of land.
| Measure | Polk County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 17,898 | 7,066,383 | +1,084 |
| Households | 7,424±253 | 2,824,277 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.38±0.08 | 2.45 | +0.14 |
| Housing units | 9,064±28 | 3,143,670 | +184 |
Polk County's population since 2000
From 16,050 in 2000 to 18,592 in 2025: up 15.8%. 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 7 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Benton with 1,476 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Benton | 1,523 | $29,414 |
|---|---|---|
| DelanoGEOID 4720080 | 777 | $121,250 |
| DucktownGEOID 4721740 | 461 | not published |
| Copperhill | 443 | $45,417 |
| FarnerGEOID 4725740 | 267 | $29,464 |
| OcoeeGEOID 4755280 | 201 | $181,250 |
| ConasaugaGEOID 4716740 | 95 | not published |
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 46.9 years old; 18.8% are under 18 and 21.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 89.1%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 7.4%. 1.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Polk County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.9±0.6 | 38.9 | +1.3 |
| Under 18 years | 18.8%±0.2 pts | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.0%±0.4 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.2% | 7.4% | +0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 89.1%±3.1 pts | 71.0% | −5.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 15.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 1.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 7.4%±3.1 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.0%±0.4 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.4%±0.8 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.1%±1.4 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 20.7%±2.5 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 14.9%±2.4 pts | 10.0% | +3.7 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.5%±1.8 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.6%±2.5 pts | 31.1% | +4.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.1%±1.6 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.0%±1.2 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 7,424 households earn less than $62,522 a year (±$6,119), against $69,595 in Tennessee. In 2015-2019 the median was $53,296 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $9,226 after inflation. 13.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Polk County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $62,522±$6,119 | $69,595 | +$9,226 |
| Mean household income | $84,888±$7,803 | $96,820 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,592±$3,030 | $39,437 | +$4,326 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.9%±2.1 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.5%±3.8 pts | 18.8% | −8.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.0%±2.7 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.0%±2.8 pts | 89.2% | – |
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 83.6% of Polk County's occupied homes and renters 16.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $169,900 by its owner (±$13,999). The median renter pays $676 a month including utilities, and 41.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Polk County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $169,900±$13,999 | $286,700 | +$31,201 |
| Median gross rent | $676±$58 | $1,189 | −$171 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.6%±12.6 pts | 39.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,290±$113 | $1,566 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 83.6%±2.8 pts | 66.9% | +9.9 pts |
| Housing units | 9,064±28 | 3,143,670 | +184 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.7%±4.4 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.9%±4.2 pts | 68.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 21.6%±3.6 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.1%±1.0 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.2%±2.0 pts | 5.6% | – |
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 150 new housing units across Polk County in 2025 (150 single-family), 8.1 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?
79.9% of Polk County's workers drive alone and 8.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 31.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.3%.
| Measure | Polk County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.5%±2.5 pts | 62.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3%±1.7 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.9%±3.3 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.4%±2.5 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 2.0%±1.2 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.3%±2.5 pts | 12.9% | +4.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 31.4 min±2.0 | 25.7 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 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $36,742 (Tract 9501) to $90,536 (Tract 9502.04).
| Tract 950147139950100 | 1,419±282 | $36,742 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9502.0147139950201 | 2,421±299 | $67,073 |
| Tract 9502.0347139950203 | 2,909±391 | $58,776 |
| Tract 9502.0447139950204 | 3,129±679 | $90,536 |
| Tract 950347139950300 | 4,403±518 | $61,875 |
| Tract 950447139950400 | 3,617±455 | $56,944 |
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 Tennessee's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 71st of 95 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 46th of 95 |
| Residents per square mile | 78th of 95 |
| Median household income | 36th of 95 |
| Median home value | 65th of 95 |
| Median gross rent | 88th of 95 |
| Poverty rate | 60th of 95 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 58th of 95 |
| Median age | 10th of 95 |
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.