Polk County, AR

County

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2019 Population

20,094

0.342% 1-year decline

US Senator

John Boozman

Republican Party

US Senator

Tom Cotton

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

43.9

0.458% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

23.8%

2.94% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$37,974

2.54% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$99,300

10.2% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

7,211

1.11% 1-year decline

About

In 2019, Polk County, AR had a population of 20.1k people with a median age of 43.9 and a median household income of $37,974. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Polk County, AR declined from 20,163 to 20,094, a −0.342% decrease and its median household income grew from $37,035 to $37,974, a 2.54% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, AR are White (Non-Hispanic) (87.6%), White (Hispanic) (4.01%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.33%), Other (Hispanic) (2.36%), and American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (1.35%). 0% of the households in Polk County, AR speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

96.7% of the residents in Polk County, AR are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Polk County, AR are University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain (314 degrees awarded in 2019).

In 2019, the median property value in Polk County, AR was $99,300, and the homeownership rate was 76.7%. Most people in Polk County, AR drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Polk County, AR was 2 cars per household.

Polk County, AR borders Howard County, AR, Montgomery County, AR, Pike County, AR, Scott County, AR, Sevier County, AR, Le Flore County, OK, and McCurtain County, OK.

United States Arkansas

Diversity

Polk County, AR is home to a population of 20.1k people, from which 96.7% are citizens. As of 2019, 4.34% of Polk County, AR residents were born outside of the country (873 people).

In 2019, there were 21.8 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (17.6k people) in Polk County, AR than any other race or ethnicity. There were 806 White (Hispanic) and 670 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, AR

White (Non-Hispanic)
17.6k ± 76
White (Hispanic)
806 ± 180
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
670 ± 154

6.59%

Hispanic Population

1.32k people

6.59% of the people in Polk County, AR are hispanic (1.32k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Polk County, AR as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

4.34%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

873 people

4.54%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

915 people

As of 2019, 4.34% of Polk County, AR residents (873 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Polk County, AR was 4.54%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Polk County, AR compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.5

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 6.1

In 2019, the median age of all people in Polk County, AR was 43.9. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 44, were generally older than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 38. But people in Polk County, AR are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Polk County, AR residents was 44.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Arkansas.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
60,028 ± 5,955 people
El Salvador
14,906 ± 2,990 people
India
8,724 ± 2,290 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Arkansas was Mexico, the natal country of 60,028 Arkansas residents, followed by El Salvador with 14,906 and India with 8,724.

Citizenship

96.7%

2019 Citizenship

96.9%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 96.7% of Polk County, AR residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Polk County, AR was 96.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Polk County, AR compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
920 ± 158
Gulf War (1990s)
197 ± 89
Gulf War (2001-)
126 ± 54

Polk County, AR has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 4.67 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Arkansas. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Arkansas, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Arkansas.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Arkansas (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Arkansas.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Arkansas. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Arkansas.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Arkansas.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Arkansas across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Polk County, AR is $37,974. In 2019, the tract with the highest median household income in Polk County, AR was Census Tract 9503 with a value of $41,549, followed by Census Tract 9504 and Census Tract 9502, with respective values of $39,338 and $37,871.

Males in Arkansas have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $41,995. The income inequality in Arkansas (measured using the Gini index) is 0.451, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Polk County, AR employs 7.21k people. The largest industries in Polk County, AR are Manufacturing (1,187 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (962 people), and Educational Services (843 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($50,547), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($43,750), and Public Administration ($39,095).

Wages

Median Household Income

$37,974

2019 value

± $2,051

2.54%

1 Year Growth

± 7.25%

Households in Polk County, AR have a median annual income of $37,974, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $37,035 in 2018, which represents a 2.54% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Polk County, AR compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Arkansas.

$56,854

Average Male Salary in Arkansas

± $1,935

$41,995

Average Female Salary in Arkansas

± $1,371

In 2019, full-time male employees in Arkansas made 1.35 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Arkansas by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Arkansas.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Arkansas

Asian
$56,874 ± $11,128
White
$46,626 ± $1,304
American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races
$42,148 ± $38,775

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Arkansas workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.22 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Arkansas.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Arkansas by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Polk County, AR is from Arkansas.

0.451

2019 Wage GINI in Arkansas

0.452

2018 Wage GINI in Arkansas

In 2019, the income inequality in Arkansas was 0.451 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.384% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Arkansas was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Arkansas in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Arkansas across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9503
Census Tract 9504
Census Tract 9502

In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Polk County, AR was Census Tract 9503 with a value of $41,549, followed by Census Tract 9504 and Census Tract 9502, with respective values of $39,338 and $37,871.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Polk County, AR colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

23.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Polk County, AR (4.75k out of 19.9k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 45 - 54 and then Females 25 - 34.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
4,287 ± 398
Hispanic
379 ± 104
Other
205 ± 103

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Polk County, AR is White, followed by Hispanic and Other.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

7.21k

2019 Value

± 538

−1.11%

1 Year decline

± 10.6%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Polk County, AR declined at a rate of −1.11%, from 7.29k employees to 7.21k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Polk County, AR, are Production Occupations (817 people), Sales & Related Occupations (634 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (625 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Polk County, AR.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Polk County, AR, by number of employees, are Production Occupations (817 people), Sales & Related Occupations (634 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (625 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Polk County, AR has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (5.05 times higher than expected), Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (2.14 times), and Production Occupations (2 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Polk County, AR, by median earnings, are Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations ($110,208), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($60,469), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($59,375).

Industries

Employment by Industries

7.21k

2019 Value

± 538

−1.11%

1 Year decline

± 10.6%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Polk County, AR declined at a rate of −1.11%, from 7.29k employees to 7.21k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Polk County, AR, are Manufacturing (1,187 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (962 people), and Educational Services (843 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Polk County, AR, though some of these residents may live in Polk County, AR and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Polk County, AR, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (1,187 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (962 people), and Educational Services (843 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Polk County, AR has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (5.24 times higher than expected), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (2.05 times), and Manufacturing (1.65 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Polk County, AR, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($50,547), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($43,750), and Public Administration ($39,095).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Arkansas to other states, or from other states to Arkansas.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2018, the top outbound Arkansas product (by dollars) was Meat/seafood with $19.1B, followed by Coal-n.e.c. ($16.5B) and Mixed freight ($10.9B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Arkansas products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Arkansas.

$154B

2018 Value in Arkansas

$263B

Projected 2045 Value in Arkansas

71% growth

In 2018, total outbound Arkansas trade was $154B. This is expected to increase 71% to $263B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Arkansas trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Arkansas to other states, or from other states to Arkansas.

Most Common Trade Partners

Texas
$12.9B
Mississippi
$7.68B
Tennessee
$6.49B

In 2018, the top outbound Arkansas domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $12.9B, followed by Mississippi with $7.68B and Tennessee and $6.49B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Arkansas shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Polk County, AR went to Donald J. Trump with 80.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (14.7%), followed by Other (4.87%). The most partisan county was Polk County, AR with 80.4% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

John Boozman and Tom Cotton are the senators currently representing the state of Arkansas. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Arkansas is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (80.4%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (14.7%)
Democratic Party
Other (4.87%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Arkansas went to Donald J. Trump with 80.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (14.7%), followed by Other (4.87%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Arkansas for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Arkansas.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Polk County, AR

80.4% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Arkansas

Polk County, AR
80.4% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Searcy County, AR
79.3% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Pike County, AR
79.1% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Arkansas was Polk County, AR with 80.4% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in Arkansas colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Arkansas

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Arkansas.

John Boozman

Senator from Arkansas

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Tom Cotton

Senator from Arkansas

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

John Boozman and Tom Cotton are the senators currently representing Arkansas.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Arkansas over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Arkansas

Arkansas is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Arkansas have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2019, universities in Polk County, AR awarded 314 degrees. The student population of Polk County, AR is skewed towards women, with 299 male students and 566 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Polk County, AR are White (278 and 89.1%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (11 and 3.53%), American Indian or Alaska Native (10 and 3.21%), and Two or More Races (4 and 1.28%).

The largest universities in Polk County, AR by number of degrees awarded are University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain (314 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Polk County, AR are General Studies (34 and 10.8%), Welding Technology (34 and 10.8%), and Other Multidisciplinary Studies (33 and 10.5%).

Concentrations

Most Common

Other Multidisciplinary Studies
33 degree-majorss awarded
General Studies
32 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
21 degree-majorss awarded

In 2019, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Polk County, AR was Other Multidisciplinary Studies with 33 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Polk County, AR according to their major.

Universities

University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

314 degrees awarded

In 2019, the Polk County, AR institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain with 314 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

Degrees Awarded to Men

220

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2019, 94 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Polk County, AR, which is 0.427 times less than the 220 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Polk County, AR by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
278 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
11 degrees awarded
American Indian or Alaska Native
10 degrees awarded

In 2019 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Polk County, AR was White students. These 278 degrees mean that there were 25.3 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 11 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Polk County, AR was $99,300 in 2019, which is 0.413 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $90,100 to $99,300, a 10.2% increase. The homeownership rate in Polk County, AR is 76.7%, which is higher than the national average of 64.1%. People in Polk County, AR have an average commute time of 22.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Polk County, AR is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$99,300

2019 Median

± $11,350

$90,100

2018 Median

± $8,320

In 2019, the median property value in Polk County, AR grew to to $99,300 from the previous year's value of $90,100.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Polk County, AR compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Polk County, AR the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$37,974

Median Household Income

± $2,051

8.24k

Number of Households

± 538

In 2019, the median household income of the 8.24k households in Polk County, AR grew to $37,974 from the previous year's value of $37,035.

The following chart displays the households in Polk County, AR distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $20k - $25k range.

Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Polk County, AR distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Polk County, AR the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

Rent vs Own

76.7%

2019 Homeownership

75.8%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 76.7% of the housing units in Polk County, AR were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 75.8%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Polk County, AR compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

22.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Polk County, AR have a shorter commute time (22.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 4.78% of the workforce in Polk County, AR have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Polk County, AR compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (76.9%)
Carpooled (17.2%)
Worked At Home (3.17%)

In 2019, 76.9% of workers in Polk County, AR drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (17.2%) and those who worked at home (3.17%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Polk County, AR distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Polk County, AR have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

89.5% of the population of Polk County, AR has health coverage, with 24.4% on employee plans, 29.4% on Medicaid, 15.4% on Medicare, 17.2% on non-group plans, and 3.13% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Arkansas was $7,408 in 2014. This is a 6.91% increase from the previous year ($6,929).

Primary care physicians in Polk County, AR see 1337 patients per year on average, which represents a 6.96% decrease from the previous year (1437 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2218 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1109 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Jackson County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (28.8%). Additionally, St. Francis County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (48.2%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,337 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Polk County, AR

Primary care physicians in Polk County, AR see an average of 1,337 patients per year. This represents a 6.96% decrease from the previous year (1,437 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Polk County, AR in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Arkansas.

$7,408

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Arkansas

$3,906

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$6,108

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,479

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Arkansas (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 6.91%, from $6,929 to $7,408.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

10.5%

Uninsured

24.4%

Employer Coverage

29.4%

Medicaid

15.4%

Medicare

17.2%

Non-Group

3.13%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Polk County, AR declined by 9.48% from 11.6% to 10.5%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Polk County, AR changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.