Polk County, FL

County

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2020 Population

705,735

2.84% 1-year growth

US Senator

Marco Rubio

Republican Party

US Senator

Rick Scott

Republican Party

2020 Median Age

40.2

0% 1-year change

2020 Poverty Rate

15.1%

4.55% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$51,535

1.88% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$162,400

7.69% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

296,493

3.92% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Polk County, FL had a population of 706k people with a median age of 40.2 and a median household income of $51,535. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Polk County, FL grew from 686,218 to 705,735, a 2.84% increase and its median household income grew from $50,584 to $51,535, a 1.88% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, FL are White (Non-Hispanic) (57.6%), White (Hispanic) (15.8%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (14.6%), Other (Hispanic) (3.79%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (3.14%).

None of the households in Polk County, FL reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

94.6% of the residents in Polk County, FL are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Polk County, FL are Polk State College (2,539 degrees awarded in 2020), Southeastern University (1,496 degrees), and Florida Southern College (810 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in Polk County, FL was $162,400, and the homeownership rate was 69.5%. Most people in Polk County, FL drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 28.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Polk County, FL was 2 cars per household.

Polk County, FL borders Hardee County, FL, Highlands County, FL, Hillsborough County, FL, Lake County, FL, Manatee County, FL, Okeechobee County, FL, Orange County, FL, Osceola County, FL, Pasco County, FL, and Sumter County, FL.

About the photo: Path to Pinewood Bok Tower Gardensin Lake Wales, Florida

Photo by Trish Hartmann

United States Florida Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL

Diversity

Polk County, FL is home to a population of 706k people, from which 94.6% are citizens. As of 2020, 10.5% of Polk County, FL residents were born outside of the country (74.4k people).

In 2020, there were 3.65 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (406k people) in Polk County, FL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 111k White (Hispanic) and 103k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, FL

White (Non-Hispanic)
406k ± 921
White (Hispanic)
111k ± 2.97k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
103k ± 1.28k

23.5%

Hispanic Population

166k people

23.5% of the people in Polk County, FL are hispanic (166k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

10.5%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

74.4k people

10%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

68.8k people

As of 2020, 10.5% of Polk County, FL residents (74.4k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Polk County, FL was 10%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.2

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.8

In 2020, the median age of all people in Polk County, FL was 40.2. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 39, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 47. But people in Polk County, FL are getting staying the same age. In 2019, the average age of all Polk County, FL residents was 40.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Cuba
1,006,483 ± 24,039 people
Haiti
335,997 ± 14,118 people
Colombia
281,766 ± 12,945 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Florida was Cuba, the natal country of 1,006,483 Florida residents, followed by Haiti with 335,997 and Colombia with 281,766.

Citizenship

94.6%

2020 Citizenship

94.7%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 94.6% of Polk County, FL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Polk County, FL was 94.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
16,562 ± 810
Gulf War (2001-)
7,403 ± 935
Gulf War (1990s)
6,045 ± 669

Polk County, FL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.24 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Florida. 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 Florida, 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 Florida.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Florida (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 Florida.

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 Florida. 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 Florida.

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Florida 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, FL is $51,535. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Polk County, FL was Census Tract 118.22 with a value of $102,829, followed by Census Tract 118.35 and Census Tract 131.01, with respective values of $99,743 and $85,094.

Males in Florida have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $48,168. The income inequality in Florida (measured using the Gini index) is 0.472, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Polk County, FL employs 296k people. The largest industries in Polk County, FL are Retail Trade (45,010 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (34,882 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (27,107 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($65,083), Utilities ($53,426), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($50,761).

Wages

Median Household Income

$51,535

2020 value

± $861

1.88%

1 Year Growth

± 2.19%

Households in Polk County, FL have a median annual income of $51,535, which is less than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $50,584 in 2019, which represents a 1.88% annual growth.

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

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

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

$64,321

Average Male Salary in Florida

± $888

$48,168

Average Female Salary in Florida

± $615

In 2020, full-time male employees in Florida made 1.34 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Florida 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 Florida.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Florida

Asian
$60,417 ± $3,531
White
$53,356 ± $619
Two or More Races
$44,585 ± $1,774

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Florida workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.13 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Florida.

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

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Polk County, FL is from Florida.

0.472

2020 Wage GINI in Florida

0.473

2019 Wage GINI in Florida

In 2020, the income inequality in Florida was 0.472 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.289% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Florida was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Florida in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Florida 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 118.22
Census Tract 118.35
Census Tract 131.01

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Polk County, FL was Census Tract 118.22 with a value of $102,829, followed by Census Tract 118.35 and Census Tract 131.01, with respective values of $99,743 and $85,094.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

15.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Polk County, FL (105k out of 692k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males 6 - 11.

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
67,525 ± 2,258
Hispanic
31,589 ± 1,671
Black
24,450 ± 1,519

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

296k

2020 Value

± 5,019

3.92%

1 Year growth

± 2.22%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Polk County, FL grew at a rate of 3.92%, from 285k employees to 296k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Polk County, FL, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (39,197 people), Sales & Related Occupations (33,498 people), and Management Occupations (23,997 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Polk County, FL.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Polk County, FL, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (39,197 people), Sales & Related Occupations (33,498 people), and Management Occupations (23,997 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Polk County, FL has an unusually high number of residents working as Material Moving Occupations (1.51 times higher than expected), Building & Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance Occupations (1.41 times), and Fire Fighting & Prevention, & Other Protective Service Workers Including Supervisors (1.41 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Polk County, FL, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($66,754), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($65,730), and Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($62,349).

Industries

Employment by Industries

296k

2020 Value

± 5,019

3.92%

1 Year growth

± 2.22%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Polk County, FL grew at a rate of 3.92%, from 285k employees to 296k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Polk County, FL, are Retail Trade (45,010 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (34,882 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (27,107 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Polk County, FL, though some of these residents may live in Polk County, FL 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, FL, by number of employees, are Retail Trade (45,010 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (34,882 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (27,107 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Polk County, FL has an unusually high number of Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation (2.36 times higher than expected), Administrative & Support & Waste Management Services (1.5 times), and Retail Trade (1.38 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Polk County, FL, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($65,083), Utilities ($53,426), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($50,761).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

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

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Florida product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $94.8B, followed by Electronics ($62.6B) and Pharmaceuticals ($59.6B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Florida.

$688B

2020 Value in Florida

$1.41T

Projected 2050 Value in Florida

105% growth

In 2020, total outbound Florida trade was $688B. This is expected to increase 105% to $1.41T by 2050.

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

Interstate Trade

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

Most Common Trade Partners

Georgia
$24.9B
California
$19.2B
Texas
$15.8B

In 2020, the top outbound Florida domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Georgia with $24.9B, followed by California with $19.2B and Texas and $15.8B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Polk County, FL went to Donald J. Trump with 56.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (42.3%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.756%). The most partisan county was Holmes County, FL with 89.1% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Marco Rubio and Rick Scott are the senators currently representing the state of Florida. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Florida is currently represented by 27 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (56.7%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (42.3%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.756%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Polk County, FL went to Donald J. Trump with 56.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (42.3%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.756%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Polk County, FL for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

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

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Polk County, FL

56.7% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Florida

Holmes County, FL
89.1% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Lafayette County, FL
85.5% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Baker County, FL
84.7% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Florida was Holmes County, FL with 89.1% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

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

US Senators from Florida

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

Marco Rubio

Senator from Florida

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Rick Scott

Senator from Florida

Assumed office on January 8, 2019
Inauguration delayed in order to finish his term as Governor of Florida.

Marco Rubio and Rick Scott are the senators currently representing Florida.

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 Florida over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Florida

Florida is currently represented by 27 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 Florida have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Polk County, FL awarded 6,114 degrees. The student population of Polk County, FL is skewed towards women, with 11,106 male students and 16,137 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Polk County, FL are White (3,571 and 59.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (1,228 and 20.6%), Black or African American (773 and 13%), and Asian (145 and 2.43%).

The largest universities in Polk County, FL by number of degrees awarded are Polk State College (2,539 and 41.5%), Southeastern University (1,496 and 24.5%), and Florida Southern College (810 and 13.2%).

The most popular majors in Polk County, FL are Liberal Arts & Sciences (1,307 and 21.4%), Divinity & Ministry (423 and 6.92%), and General Business Administration & Management (341 and 5.58%).

The median tuition costs in Polk County, FL are $26,023 for private four year colleges, and $2,818 and $6,543 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
181 degree-majorss awarded
Other Business Administration, Management, & Operations
276 degree-majorss awarded
Divinity & Ministry
187 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Polk County, FL was Registered Nursing with 181 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Polk State College
2,539 degrees awarded
Southeastern University
1,496 degrees awarded
Florida Southern College
810 degrees awarded

$2,818

Median In-State Public

$26,023

Median Private

In 2020, the Polk County, FL institution with the largest number of graduating students was Polk State College with 2,539 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

2,405

Degrees Awarded to Men

3,709

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 2,405 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Polk County, FL, which is 0.648 times less than the 3,709 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Polk County, FL by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
3,571 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
1,228 degrees awarded
Black or African American
773 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Polk County, FL was White students. These 3,571 degrees mean that there were 2.91 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 1,228 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Polk County, FL was $162,400 in 2020, which is 0.707 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $150,800 to $162,400, a 7.69% increase. The homeownership rate in Polk County, FL is 69.5%, which is higher than the national average of 64.4%. People in Polk County, FL have an average commute time of 28.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Polk County, FL is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$162,400

2020 Median

± $2,240

$150,800

2019 Median

± $2,046

In 2020, the median property value in Polk County, FL grew to to $162,400 from the previous year's value of $150,800.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Polk County, FL 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, FL the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

Household Income

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

$51,535

Median Household Income

± $861

241k

Number of Households

± 4,129

In 2020, the median household income of the 241k households in Polk County, FL grew to $51,535 from the previous year's value of $50,584.

The following chart displays the households in Polk County, FL 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 $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

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

Rent vs Own

69.5%

2020 Homeownership

68.9%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 69.5% of the housing units in Polk County, FL were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 68.9%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Polk County, FL compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

28.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Polk County, FL have a longer commute time (28.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 2.8% of the workforce in Polk County, FL have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (82.2%)
Carpooled (9.79%)
Worked At Home (5.22%)

In 2020, 82.2% of workers in Polk County, FL drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.79%) and those who worked at home (5.22%).

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

Health

87% of the population of Polk County, FL has health coverage, with 37.7% on employee plans, 18.9% on Medicaid, 14.9% on Medicare, 13.8% on non-group plans, and 1.66% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Florida was $8,076 in 2014. This is a 5.05% increase from the previous year ($7,688).

Primary care physicians in Polk County, FL see 2082 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.91% increase from the previous year (2043 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2934 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1071 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Glades County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (21%). Additionally, Gadsden County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (43.5%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,082 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Polk County, FL

Primary care physicians in Polk County, FL see an average of 2,082 patients per year. This represents a 1.91% increase from the previous year (2,043 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Polk County, FL 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 Florida.

$8,076

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Florida

$4,606

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,175

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$12,229

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Florida (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 5.05%, from $7,688 to $8,076.

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

Health Care Coverage

13%

Uninsured

37.7%

Employer Coverage

18.9%

Medicaid

14.9%

Medicare

13.8%

Non-Group

1.66%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Polk County, FL grew by 2.14% from 12.7% to 13%.

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