Polk County

As of the latest U.S. Census data, Polk County, NC has a population of approximately 19,328. The racial demographics are 87.6% White, 8.6% African American, 2.1% Hispanic or Latino, 0.5% Asian, and 1.2% from two or more races. The median age is 50.3 years, and the median household income is around $48,494. About 12.8% of the population lives below the poverty line. The county spans 239 square miles, offering a mix of rural and small-town settings.

As of 2023, Polk County, North Carolina, has a median home value of approximately $325,000. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $900 per month. The homeownership rate is about 77%, with a vacancy rate of 18%. The county has seen moderate annual home value appreciation of around 4-5%. Most homes are single-family detached houses, comprising nearly 70% of all housing units.

As of the latest information for Polk County, NC elections, the county features various local, state, and federal races. Voter turnout is typically robust given the county’s engaged electorate. For the 2022 General Elections, major races included positions on the Polk County Board of Commissioners, Board of Education, and Sheriff. Key candidates in the Board of Commissioners race included Republicans Myron Yoder and David Moore, and Democrats Tommy Melton and Dave Weiss. In the Sheriff's race, candidates included Republican Tim Wright and Democrat Donald Hill. Voter registration data revealed approximately 16,000 registered voters in the county. In the 2020 Presidential election, Polk County had a turnout rate of 80.15%, with 10,013 ballots cast out of 12,488 registered voters. For specific dates, voter registration deadlines, and other detailed info, be sure to check with the Polk County Board of Elections or their official website.

Polk County, NC, showcases a relatively high educational attainment. Approximately 88.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold at least a high school diploma, and around 28.9% have a bachelor's degree or higher. When compared to national averages, where 88.5% possess a high school diploma and 33.1% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, Polk County is slightly below in terms of college education but comparable in high school completion. North Carolina's state averages are 87.4% for high school diplomas and 31.2% for bachelor's degrees, situating Polk County above the state's high school average but below in higher education. This data reveals Polk County as closely aligned with national and state educational trends, though with a small lag in higher education attainment.

As of the latest available data, Polk County, NC has an employment rate of approximately 95%, with an unemployment rate around 5%, differing slightly from the national average of roughly 3.8% and the state average of 3.6%. The labor force participation rate stands at about 56%.

Top industries in Polk County include healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. The healthcare and social assistance sector employs approximately 20% of the workforce, marginally higher than the national average of 14%. Retail trade comprises about 12% of jobs, aligning closely with the national average of 11%. Manufacturing employs around 10%, lower than the national average of 8.5%.

These comparisons highlight Polk County’s slightly elevated reliance on healthcare and marginally less on manufacturing relative to broader trends.

As of the latest available data, Polk County, NC, has a median household income of approximately $46,000. This figure is lower than both the national median household income of around $68,700 and the North Carolina state median household income of roughly $56,000.

This indicates that Polk County's median income is below both the state and national averages, highlighting a potential area of economic disparity.

(Note: These values are approximations based on the most recent available statistics and may vary slightly with new data releases.)

As of the latest available data in 2021, Polk County, NC, maintains relatively low crime rates compared to national averages. The overall crime rate in Polk County is approximately 15.4 crimes per 1,000 residents, which includes both violent and property crimes.

Crime Statistics Table for Polk County, NC (per 1,000 residents)

Violent Crimes Breakdown:

• Homicide: 0.03 per 1,000
• Rape: 0.27 per 1,000
• Robbery: 0.18 per 1,000
• Aggravated Assault: 1.32 per 1,000

Property Crimes Breakdown:

• Burglary: 3.5 per 1,000
• Larceny-Theft: 8.9 per 1,000
• Motor Vehicle Theft: 1.2 per 1,000

The data highlights Polk County's effectiveness in maintaining safety and low crime