Polk County, AR

County

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Population

20,163

0.242% 1-year decline

US Senator

John Boozman

Republican Party

US Senator

Tom Cotton

Republican Party

Median Age

43.7

Poverty Rate

24.5%

Median Household Income

$37,035

9.34% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$90,100

3.44% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

7,292

0.969% 1-year growth

About

In 2018, Polk County, AR had a population of 20.2k people with a median age of 43.7 and a median household income of $37,035. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Polk County, AR declined from 20,212 to 20,163, a -0.242% decrease and its median household income grew from $33,870 to $37,035, a 9.34% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, AR are White (Non-Hispanic) (87.7%), White (Hispanic) (4.24%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.71%), Other (Hispanic) (1.99%), and American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (1.48%). NaNk% of the people in Polk County, AR speak a non-English language, and 96.9% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Polk County, AR are University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain (273 degrees awarded in 2017).

The median property value in Polk County, AR is $90,100, and the homeownership rate is 75.8%. Most people in Polk County, AR commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 22.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Polk County, AR is 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

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.

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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Impact on Employment

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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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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Civics

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 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.

Polk County, AR 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

Voting results not available for Polk County, AR. Showing the available data for Arkansas.

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.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Arkansas

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, 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 Polk County, AR have changed over time starting in 2008.

Diversity

Polk County, AR is home to a population of 20.2k people, from which 96.9% are citizens. As of 2018, 4.54% of Polk County, AR residents were born outside of the country (915 people).

In 2018, there were 20.7 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (17.7k people) in Polk County, AR than any other race or ethnicity. There were 854 White (Hispanic) and 546 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)
17.7k ± 59
White (Hispanic)
854 ± 188
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
546 ± 139

6.54%

Hispanic Population

1.32k people

6.54% 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

4.54%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

915 people

2017 Foreign-Born Population

809 people

As of 2018, 4.54% of Polk County, AR residents (915 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Polk County, AR was 4%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

± 5

In 2018, the median age of all people in Polk County, AR was 43.7. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 44, were generally older than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 38. But people in Polk County, AR are getting getting younger. In 2017, 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
62,950 ± 6,094 people
El Salvador
12,524 ± 2,742 people
India
8,219 ± 2,223 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Arkansas was Mexico, the natal country of 62,950 Arkansas residents, followed by El Salvador with 12,524 and India with 8,219.

Citizenship

96.9%

2018 Citizenship

97.1%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 96.9% of Polk County, AR residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Polk County, AR was 97.1%, 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
862 ± 165
Gulf War (1990s)
200 ± 84
Gulf War (2001-)
145 ± 64

Polk County, AR has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 4.31 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Polk County, AR is $37,035. In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Polk County, AR was Census Tract 9503 with a value of $40,484, followed by Census Tract 9505 and Census Tract 9502, with respective values of $37,736 and $37,135.

Males in Arkansas have an average income that is 1.38 times higher than the average income of females, which is $38,953. The income inequality in Arkansas (measured using the Gini index) is 0.453, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Polk County, AR employs 7.29k people. The largest industries in Polk County, AR are Manufacturing (1,151 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,073 people), and Retail Trade (882 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($50,833), Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($42,250), and Transportation & Warehousing ($40,958).

Wages

Median Household Income

$37,035

2018 value

± $1,890

9.34%

1 Year Growth

± 7.75%

Households in Polk County, AR have a median annual income of $37,035, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $33,870 in 2017, which represents a 9.34% 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.

$53,721

Average Male Salary in Arkansas

± $1,816

$38,953

Average Female Salary in Arkansas

± $1,246

In 2017, full-time male employees in Arkansas made 1.38 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
$55,861 ± $11,571
White
$43,596 ± $1,206
American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races
$38,912 ± $29,718

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Arkansas workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.28 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.

0.453

2017 Wage GINI in Arkansas

0.453

2016 Wage GINI in Arkansas

In 2017, the income inequality in Arkansas was 0.453 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0272% decline from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Arkansas was lower than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9503
Census Tract 9505
Census Tract 9502

In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Polk County, AR was Census Tract 9503 with a value of $40,484, followed by Census Tract 9505 and Census Tract 9502, with respective values of $37,736 and $37,135.

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

Poverty by Age and Gender

Males 45 - 54

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

24.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Polk County, AR (4.91k out of 20k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 45 - 54, followed by Females 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
4,280 ± 385
Hispanic
417 ± 114
Two Or More
236 ± 118

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

7.29k

2018 Value

± 532

0.969%

1 Year growth

± 10.2%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Polk County, AR grew at a rate of 0.969%, from 7.22k employees to 7.29k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Polk County, AR, are Production Occupations (755 people), Sales & Related Occupations (697 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (668 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 (755 people), Sales & Related Occupations (697 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (668 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Polk County, AR has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (3.26 times higher than expected), Health Technologists & Technicians (1.81 times), and Production Occupations (1.8 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Polk County, AR, by median earnings, are Management Occupations ($51,146), Management, Business, & Financial Occupations ($45,134), and Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors ($45,000).

Industries

Employment by Industries

7.29k

2018 Value

± 532

0.969%

1 Year growth

± 10.2%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Polk County, AR grew at a rate of 0.969%, from 7.22k employees to 7.29k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Polk County, AR, are Manufacturing (1,151 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,073 people), and Retail Trade (882 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 (1,151 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,073 people), and Retail Trade (882 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Polk County, AR has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (3.57 times higher than expected), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (1.99 times), and Manufacturing (1.57 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Polk County, AR, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($50,833), Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($42,250), and Transportation & Warehousing ($40,958).

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 2015, the top outbound Arkansas product (by dollars) was Coal-n.e.c. with $24.5B, followed by Meat/seafood ($17.5B) and Mixed freight ($8.54B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Arkansas.

$150B

2015 Value in Arkansas

$228B

Projected 2045 Value in Arkansas

52.4% growth

In 2015, total outbound Arkansas trade was $150B. This is expected to increase 52.4% to $228B 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

Mississippi
$12.4B
Texas
$11.4B
Missouri
$7.98B

In 2015, the top outbound Arkansas domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Mississippi with $12.4B, followed by Texas with $11.4B and Missouri and $7.98B.

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

Education

In 2017, universities in Polk County, AR awarded 273 degrees. The student population of Polk County, AR is skewed towards women, with 293 male students and 645 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Polk County, AR are White (248 and 90.8%), followed by American Indian or Alaska Native (8 and 2.93%), Hispanic or Latino (7 and 2.56%), and Two or More Races (4 and 1.47%).

The largest universities in Polk County, AR by number of degrees awarded are University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain (273 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Polk County, AR are General Studies (36 and 13.2%), Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Assistant (34 and 12.5%), and Welding Technology (25 and 9.16%).

The median tuition costs in Polk County, AR are $N/A for private four year colleges, and $N/A and $N/A respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Assistant
34 degree-majorss awarded
Tool & Die Technology
22 degree-majorss awarded
Welding Technology
18 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for < 1 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Polk County, AR was Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Assistant with 34 degree-majorss awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a < 1 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in Polk County, AR according to their major.

Universities

University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

273 degrees awarded

$N/A

Median In-State Public

$N/A

Median Private

In 2017, the Polk County, AR institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain with 273 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

Degrees Awarded to Men

187

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 86 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Polk County, AR, which is 0.46 times less than the 187 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
248 degrees awarded
American Indian or Alaska Native
8 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
7 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Polk County, AR were to White students. These 248 degrees mean that there were 31 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, American Indian or Alaska Native, with 8 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Polk County, AR was $90,100 in 2018, which is 0.392 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $87,100 to $90,100, a 3.44% increase. The homeownership rate in Polk County, AR is 75.8%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Polk County, AR have an average commute time of 22.5 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. 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

$90,100

2018 Median

± $8,320

$87,100

2017 Median

± $4,860

In 2018, the median property value in Polk County, AR grew to to $90,100 from the previous year's value of $87,100.

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 N/A range.

Household Income

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

$37,035

Median Household Income

± $1,890

8.2k

Number of Households

± 538

In 2018, the median household income of the 8.2k households in Polk County, AR grew to $37,035 from the previous year's value of $33,870.

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 < $10k 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

75.8%

2018 Homeownership

76.3%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 75.8% of the housing units in Polk County, AR were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 76.3%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Polk County, AR compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

22.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Polk County, AR have a shorter commute time (22.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.3 minutes). Additionally, 5.32% 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 Method of Travel

Drove Alone
76.8%
Carpooled
17.6%
Worked At Home
3.07%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Polk County, AR was Drove Alone (76.8%), followed by those who Carpooled (17.6%) and those who Worked At Home (3.07%).

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 1 car.

Health

88.4% of the population of Polk County, AR has health coverage, with 26.5% on employee plans, 28.4% on Medicaid, 14.4% on Medicare, 15.7% on non-group plans, and 3.43% 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 1348 patients per year on average, which represents a 13.4% decrease from the previous year (1556 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2882 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1552 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Jefferson County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (17.2%). Additionally, St. Francis County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (44.5%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,348 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Polk County, AR

Primary care physicians in Polk County, AR see an average of 1,348 patients per year. This represents a 13.4% decrease from the previous year (1,556 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

11.6%

Uninsured

26.5%

Employer Coverage

28.4%

Medicaid

14.4%

Medicare

15.7%

Non-Group

3.43%

Military or VA

Between 2017 and 2018, the percent of uninsured citizens in Polk County, AR declined by 17.9% from 14.1% to 11.6%.

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.