Polk County, FL

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Population

708,009

3.14% growth

Poverty Rate

17.3%


Median Age

40.2


Median Household Income

$51,670

6.59% growth

Number of Employees

303,647

7.85% growth

Median Property Value

$161,300

4.94% growth

About

COVID-19

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2018, Polk County, FL had a population of 708k people with a median age of 40.2 and a median household income of $51,670. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Polk County, FL grew from 686,483 to 708,009, a 3.14% increase and its median household income grew from $48,475 to $51,670, a 6.59% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, FL are White (Non-Hispanic) (57.6%), White (Hispanic) (18.8%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (14.8%), Some Other Race (Hispanic) (3.34%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (1.77%). N/A% of the people in Polk County, FL speak a non-English language, and 95.5% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Polk County, FL are Polk State College (2,130 degrees awarded in 2017), Southeastern University (897 degrees), and Florida Southern College (792 degrees).

The median property value in Polk County, FL is $161,300, and the homeownership rate is 69.6%. Most people in Polk County, FL commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 27.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Polk County, FL is 2 cars per household.

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

Photo by Trish Hartmann

United StatesFloridaLakeland-Winter Haven, FL

COVID-19

Total Confirmed Cases by Date

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

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

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

The economy of Polk County, FL employs 304k people. The largest industries in Polk County, FL are Retail Trade (43,194 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (35,630 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (29,558 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($64,737), Information ($57,836), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($52,279).

Median household income in Polk County, FL is $51,670. Males in Polk County, FL have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $46,612. The income inequality in Polk County, FL (measured using the Gini index) is 0.474, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$51,670

2018 value

± $1,735

6.59%

1 Year Growth

± 4.48%

Households in Polk County, FL have a median annual income of $51,670, 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 $48,475 in 2017, which represents a 6.59% annual growth.

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

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$62,257

Average Male Salary

± $878

$46,612

Average Female Salary

± $604

In 2018, full-time male employees in Florida made 1.34 times more than female employees.

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

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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

  1. Asian

    $56,219 ± $3,256

  2. White

    $51,352 ± $590

  3. American Indian

    $40,596 ± $5,196

In 2018 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Florida workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.09 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

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

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Wage Distribution

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

0.474

2018 Wage GINI

0.473

2017 Wage GINI

In 2018, the income inequality in Florida was 0.474 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.214% growth from 2017 to 2018, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2018 the GINI for Florida was lower than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 118.33

  2. Census Tract 118.21

  3. Census Tract 118.35

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Polk County, FL was Census Tract 118.33 with a value of $100,177, followed by Census Tract 118.21 and Census Tract 118.35, with respective values of $93,088 and $90,608.

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

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

17.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Polk County, FL (111k out of 639k 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 Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females 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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    74,412 ± 2,061

  2. Hispanic

    31,648 ± 1,470

  3. Black

    27,419 ± 1,276

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

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.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

304k

2018 Value

± 10,579

7.85%

1 Year growth

± 4.55%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Polk County, FL grew at a rate of 7.85%, from 282k employees to 304k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Polk County, FL, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (40,792 people), Sales & Related Occupations (29,920 people), and Management Occupations (23,282 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Polk County, FL.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Polk County, FL, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (40,792 people), Sales & Related Occupations (29,920 people), and Management Occupations (23,282 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Polk County, FL has an unusually high number of residents working as Building & Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance Occupations (1.66 times higher than expected), Material Moving Occupations (1.53 times), and Transportation Occupations (1.47 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Polk County, FL, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($71,672), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($65,209), and Management Occupations ($62,293).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

304k

2018 Value

± 10,579

7.85%

1 Year growth

± 4.55%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Polk County, FL grew at a rate of 7.85%, from 282k employees to 304k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Polk County, FL, are Retail Trade (43,194 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (35,630 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (29,558 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.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Polk County, FL, by number of employees, are Retail Trade (43,194 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (35,630 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (29,558 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Polk County, FL has an unusually high number of Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation (2.14 times higher than expected), Administrative & Support & Waste Management Services (1.54 times), and Construction (1.38 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Polk County, FL, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($64,737), Information ($57,836), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($52,279).

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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

  1. Mixed freight

    $63.5B

  2. Pharmaceuticals

    $51.6B

  3. Electronics

    $41.8B

In 2015, the top outbound Florida product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $63.5B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($51.6B) and Electronics ($41.8B).

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

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Florida state.

$497B

2020 Value

$714B

Projected 2045 Value

43.6% growth

In 2020, total outbound Florida trade was $497B. This is expected to increase 43.6% to $714B by 2045.

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

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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

  1. Georgia

    $19.5B

  2. Texas

    $16.6B

  3. California

    $11.5B

In 2015, the top outbound Florida domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Georgia with $19.5B, followed by Texas with $16.6B and California and $11.5B.

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

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Health

87.7% of the population of Polk County, FL has health coverage, with 37.9% on employee plans, 19.2% on Medicaid, 15.1% on Medicare, 14% on non-group plans, and 1.55% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Polk County, FL 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 2044 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.7% increase from the previous year (1971 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3203 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1276 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Gadsden County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (16.9%). Additionally, Liberty County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39.6%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,044 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Polk County, FL see an average of 2,044 patients per year. This represents a 3.7% increase from the previous year (1,971 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.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. 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.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. 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.

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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 

$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.

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Health Care Coverage

12.3%

Uninsured

37.9%

Employer Coverage

19.2%

Medicaid

15.1%

Medicare

14%

Non-Group

1.55%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Polk County, FL declined by 3.77% from 12.8% to 12.3%.

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.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Gadsden County

    16.9% prevalence

  2. Madison County

    15.8% prevalence

  3. Taylor County

    15.5% prevalence

Gadsden County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Florida, at 16.9%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Florida by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Polk County, FL is home to a population of 708k people, from which 95.5% are citizens. As of 2017, 9.47% of Polk County, FL residents were born outside of the country (65k people).

In 2018, there were 3.06 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (408k people) in Polk County, FL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 133k White (Hispanic) and 104k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Age

Age by Nativity

39

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.6

48

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.8

In 2018, 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 than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 48. But people in Polk County, FL are getting getting younger. In 2017, the average age of all Polk County, FL residents was 40.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

9.47%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

65k people

9.45%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

63k people

As of 2017, 9.47% of Polk County, FL residents (65k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Polk County, FL was 9.45%, 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.

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Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

  1. Cuba

    1,028,508 ± 24,290 people

  2. Haiti

    339,246 ± 14,186 people

  3. Colombia

    285,400 ± 13,028 people

In 2018, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Florida was Cuba, the natal country of 1,028,508 Florida residents, followed by Haiti with 339,246 and Colombia with 285,400.

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Citizenship

95.5%

2018 Citizenship

94.3%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 95.5% of Polk County, FL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Polk County, FL was 94.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

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Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, FL

  1. White (Non-Hispanic)

    408k ± 1.74k

  2. White (Hispanic)

    133k ± 6.7k

  3. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)

    104k ± 2.4k

In 2018, there were 3.06 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (408k people) in Polk County, FL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 133k White (Hispanic) and 104k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

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

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    17,889 ± 1,807

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    7,132 ± 1,709

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    6,455 ± 1,561

Polk County, FL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.51 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2017, universities in Polk County, FL awarded 4,965 degrees. The student population of Polk County, FL is skewed towards women, with 10,813 male students and 14,361 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Polk County, FL are White (2,985 and 61.8%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (829 and 17.2%), Black or African American (681 and 14.1%), and Unknown (124 and 2.57%).

The largest universities in Polk County, FL by number of degrees awarded are Polk State College (2,130 and 42.9%), Southeastern University (897 and 18.1%), and Florida Southern College (792 and 16%).

The most popular majors in Polk County, FL are Liberal Arts & Sciences (1,096 and 22.1%), General Business Administration & Management (339 and 6.83%), and Other Business Administration, Management, & Operations (334 and 6.73%).

The median tuition costs in Polk County, FL are $23,565 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

  1. Registered Nursing

    144 degrees awarded

  2. Other Business Administration, Management, & Operations

    318 degrees awarded

  3. General Business Administration & Management

    207 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Polk County, FL was Registered Nursing with 144 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. Polk State College

    2,130 degrees awarded

  2. Southeastern University

    897 degrees awarded

  3. Florida Southern College

    792 degrees awarded

$2,818

Median In-State Public

$23,565

Median Private

In 2017, the Polk County, FL institution with the largest number of graduating students was Polk State College with 2,130 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

1,952

Degrees Awarded to Men

3,013

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 1,952 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Polk County, FL, which is 0.648 times less than the 3,013 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Polk County, FL by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    2,985 degrees awarded

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    829 degrees awarded

  3. Black or African American

    681 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Polk County, FL were to White students. These 2,985 degrees mean that there were 3.6 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 829 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Polk County, FL was $161,300 in 2018, which is 0.702 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $153,700 to $161,300, a 4.94% increase. The homeownership rate in Polk County, FL is 69.6%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Polk County, FL have an average commute time of 27.9 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. 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

$161,300

2018 Median

± $5,260

$153,700

2017 Median

± $3,193

In 2018, the median property value in Polk County, FL grew to to $161,300 from the previous year's value of $153,700.

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.

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Household Income

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

$51,670

Median Household Income

± $1,735

241k

Number of Households

± 8,275

In 2018, the median household income of the 241k households in Polk County, FL grew to $51,670 from the previous year's value of $48,475.

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.

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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.

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Rent vs Own

69.6%

2018 Homeownership

67.8%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 69.6% of the housing units in Polk County, FL were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 67.8%.

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

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Commute Time

27.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Polk County, FL have a longer commute time (27.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.7 minutes). Additionally, 3.47% 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.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    83.1%

  2. Carpooled

    9.82%

  3. Worked At Home

    4.14%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Polk County, FL was Drove Alone (83.1%), followed by those who Carpooled (9.82%) and those who Worked At Home (4.14%).

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.

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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 3 cars.

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