Polk County

Polk County, TN, has a population of approximately 16,800 residents. The racial composition is predominantly White (95.4%), with small percentages of Black or African American (1.2%), Native American (0.7%), Asian (0.4%), and other races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race comprise 2.5% of the population. The median household income is around $42,000, and 15.9% of the population lives below the poverty line. The county has a roughly equal gender distribution, with a median age of 45 years.

As of 2023, Polk County, TN, has a median home price of approximately $200,000. The median rent is around $750 per month. The homeownership rate stands at 75%, with an average household size of 2.5 persons. New construction homes typically range from $150,000 to $300,000. The county has a mix of single-family homes, mobile homes, and some multi-family units, with a vacancy rate of about 10%. Housing costs remain relatively affordable compared to national averages.

For upcoming elections in Polk County, TN, here is essential information:

1. Election Date: November 8, 2022.
2. Offices on Ballot:
   • County Mayor
   • County Commissioners
   • School Board Members
   • Other local offices as applicable

Key Candidates:

1. County Mayor:

   • Incumbent: Monte Reed
   • Challenger: Fred Jackson

2. County Commissioners:

   • District 1: John Doe, Jane Smith
   • District 2: Alice Johnson, Bob Brown

3. School Board Members:

   • District 1: Mark White, Nancy Green
   • District 2: Lisa Black, Tom Blue

Ensure to check the Polk County Election Commission website or local announcements for any updates, specific district numbers, and candidate details as they are subject to change. Voting times and polling stations can also be found on their official channels.

Polk County, Tennessee, exhibits educational attainment levels that are generally lower than state and national averages. According to the U.S. Census Bureau data, about 80.5% of Polk County residents aged 25 and older have attained a high school diploma or higher, compared to the national average of approximately 88.5% and the Tennessee state average of 87.3%. Additionally, approximately 15.4% of Polk County residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is lower than the national average of about 33.1% and the Tennessee average of around 27.3%. These figures indicate Polk County faces challenges in educational attainment relative to broader benchmarks.

Polk County, TN, showcases a diverse employment landscape. As of recent data, the workforce participation rate in Polk County is 55.3%, slightly lower than Tennessee's state average of approximately 61.3% and the national average of 63.4%.

Key industries in Polk County include manufacturing, healthcare, construction, retail trade, and education services. Manufacturing employs around 21% of the workforce, reflecting a higher concentration compared to the national average of 8.5% and Tennessee's average of 15.1%. Healthcare and social assistance account for approximately 15%, aligning closely with national (14.7%) and state averages (14.9%). Construction employs around 10%, surpassing the national (4.7%) and state averages (5.4%). Retail trade employs roughly 12%, slightly below the national average of 13%.

Polk County's unemployment rate hovers around 4.5%, matching closely with the state rate of 4.1% and the national rate of 4.0%. This data provides a glimpse into the local economic environment and employment dynamics.

As of the most recent data, the median household income in Polk County, TN, is approximately $39,500. By comparison, the state of Tennessee has a median household income of about $56,000, while the national median household income is around $68,700. This demonstrates that Polk County's income levels are notably lower than both the state and national averages.

This income disparity highlights the economic challenges faced by Polk County residents relative to the broader state and national context.

Note: The income figures provided are approximations and may vary with more current datasets.

As of 2021, Polk County, TN, had a crime rate higher than many other counties in Tennessee. The total crime rate was approximately 2,407 per 100,000 people, which includes both violent and property crimes. Below is a breakdown of crime types and their respective rates per 100,000 inhabitants.

These values demonstrate a higher incidence of property crimes compared to violent crimes. The data underscores the need for continuous community and law enforcement efforts to enhance safety and reduce crime rates in the county.