Polk County, NC

County

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2019 Population

20,557

0.484% 1-year growth

US Senator

Richard Burr

Republican Party

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

52.7

0.573% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

9.83%

3.96% 1-year increase

2019 Median Household Income

$48,787

0.0962% 1-year decline

2019 Median Property Value

$225,700

6.31% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

8,359

2.99% 1-year decline

About

In 2019, Polk County, NC had a population of 20.6k people with a median age of 52.7 and a median household income of $48,787. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Polk County, NC grew from 20,458 to 20,557, a 0.484% increase and its median household income declined from $48,834 to $48,787, a −0.0962% decrease.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (85.7%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (4.84%), White (Hispanic) (4.61%), Other (Non-Hispanic) (2.11%), and Other (Hispanic) (0.895%). 0% of the households in Polk County, NC speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

97.7% of the residents in Polk County, NC are U.S. citizens.

In 2019, the median property value in Polk County, NC was $225,700, and the homeownership rate was 74%. Most people in Polk County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 25.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Polk County, NC was 2 cars per household.

Polk County, NC borders Henderson County, NC, Rutherford County, NC, Greenville County, SC, and Spartanburg County, SC.

United States North Carolina

Diversity

Polk County, NC is home to a population of 20.6k people, from which 97.7% are citizens. As of 2019, 4.07% of Polk County, NC residents were born outside of the country (836 people).

In 2019, there were 17.7 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (17.6k people) in Polk County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 995 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 948 White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
17.6k ± 505
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
995 ± 26
White (Hispanic)
948 ± 165

5.86%

Hispanic Population

1.2k people

5.86% of the people in Polk County, NC are hispanic (1.2k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

4.07%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

836 people

3.62%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

740 people

As of 2019, 4.07% of Polk County, NC residents (836 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, NC was 3.62%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.5

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 10.3

In 2019, the median age of all people in Polk County, NC was 52.7. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 53, were generally older than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 48. But people in Polk County, NC are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Polk County, NC residents was 52.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
229,947 ± 11,640 people
India
70,805 ± 6,510 people
Honduras
36,544 ± 4,685 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 229,947 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 70,805 and Honduras with 36,544.

Citizenship

97.7%

2019 Citizenship

98.2%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 97.7% of Polk County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Polk County, NC was 98.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
732 ± 135
Korea
201 ± 65
Gulf War (1990s)
112 ± 49

Polk County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.64 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for North Carolina. 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 North Carolina, 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 North Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (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 North Carolina.

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 North Carolina. 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 North Carolina.

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of North Carolina 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, NC is $48,787. In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Polk County, NC was Census Tract 9201.03 with a value of $54,330, followed by Census Tract 9203.04 and Census Tract 9201.04, with respective values of $52,311 and $50,833.

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $47,862. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.472, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Polk County, NC employs 8.36k people. The largest industries in Polk County, NC are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,448 people), Manufacturing (1,047 people), and Retail Trade (1,041 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($61,667), Public Administration ($49,688), and Finance & Insurance ($46,250).

Wages

Median Household Income

$48,787

2019 value

± $3,356

−0.0962%

1 Year Growth

± 9.8%

Households in Polk County, NC have a median annual income of $48,787, 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 $48,834 in 2018, which represents a −0.0962% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Polk County, NC 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 North Carolina.

$63,585

Average Male Salary in North Carolina

± $1,168

$47,862

Average Female Salary in North Carolina

± $855

In 2019, full-time male employees in North Carolina made 1.33 times more than female employees.

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in North Carolina

Asian
$64,719 ± $4,583
White
$53,494 ± $850
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$42,933 ± $24,629

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of North Carolina workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.21 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in North Carolina.

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

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Polk County, NC is from North Carolina.

0.472

2019 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.473

2018 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2019, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.472 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0599% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina 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 9201.03
Census Tract 9203.04
Census Tract 9201.04

In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Polk County, NC was Census Tract 9201.03 with a value of $54,330, followed by Census Tract 9203.04 and Census Tract 9201.04, with respective values of $52,311 and $50,833.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 55 - 64

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

9.83% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Polk County, NC (1.99k out of 20.3k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Females 65 - 74.

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
1,758 ± 242
Hispanic
306 ± 126
Other
145 ± 121

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

8.36k

2019 Value

± 569

−2.99%

1 Year decline

± 9.99%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Polk County, NC declined at a rate of −2.99%, from 8.62k employees to 8.36k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Polk County, NC, are Sales & Related Occupations (912 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (881 people), and Management Occupations (835 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Polk County, NC.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Polk County, NC, by number of employees, are Sales & Related Occupations (912 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (881 people), and Management Occupations (835 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Polk County, NC has an unusually high number of residents working as Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (1.87 times higher than expected), Health Technologists & Technicians (1.66 times), and Community & Social Service Occupations (1.43 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Polk County, NC, by median earnings, are Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations ($75,227), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($73,500), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($72,625).

Industries

Employment by Industries

8.36k

2019 Value

± 569

−2.99%

1 Year decline

± 9.99%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Polk County, NC declined at a rate of −2.99%, from 8.62k employees to 8.36k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Polk County, NC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,448 people), Manufacturing (1,047 people), and Retail Trade (1,041 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Polk County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Polk County, NC 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, NC, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,448 people), Manufacturing (1,047 people), and Retail Trade (1,041 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Polk County, NC has an unusually high number of Construction (1.63 times higher than expected), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (1.52 times), and Real Estate & Rental & Leasing (1.32 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Polk County, NC, by median earnings, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($61,667), Public Administration ($49,688), and Finance & Insurance ($46,250).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

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

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $53.9B, followed by Machinery ($49B) and Pharmaceuticals ($48.7B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$488B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

89.6% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $488B. This is expected to increase 89.6% to $926B by 2050.

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

Interstate Trade

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

Most Common Trade Partners

South Carolina
$35.1B
Virginia
$27B
Georgia
$18.5B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $35.1B, followed by Virginia with $27B and Georgia and $18.5B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Polk County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 62.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (36.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.696%). The most partisan county was Durham County, NC with 80.4% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

North Carolina is currently represented by 13 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 (62.2%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (36.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.696%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Polk County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 62.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (36.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.696%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Polk County, NC 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 North Carolina.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Polk County, NC

62.2% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in North Carolina

Durham County, NC
80.4% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Yadkin County, NC
80% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Graham County, NC
79.5% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in North Carolina was Durham County, NC with 80.4% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

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

US Senators from North Carolina

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

Richard Burr

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2005

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

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

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 13 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 North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Polk County, NC was $225,700 in 2019, which is 0.938 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $212,300 to $225,700, a 6.31% increase. The homeownership rate in Polk County, NC is 74%, which is higher than the national average of 64.1%. People in Polk County, NC have an average commute time of 25.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Polk County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$225,700

2019 Median

± $14,616

$212,300

2018 Median

± $17,128

In 2019, the median property value in Polk County, NC grew to to $225,700 from the previous year's value of $212,300.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Polk County, NC 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, NC the largest share of households have a property value in the $300k - $400k range.

Household Income

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

$48,787

Median Household Income

± $3,356

9.07k

Number of Households

± 574

In 2019, the median household income of the 9.07k households in Polk County, NC declined from $48,787 from the previous year's value of $48,834.

The following chart displays the households in Polk County, NC 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 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Polk County, NC distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Polk County, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

Rent vs Own

74%

2019 Homeownership

73.4%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 74% of the housing units in Polk County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 73.4%.

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

Commute Time

25.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Polk County, NC have a longer commute time (25.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 3.58% of the workforce in Polk County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (80%)
Carpooled (9.75%)
Worked At Home (5.65%)

In 2019, 80% of workers in Polk County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.75%) and those who worked at home (5.65%).

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

Health

89.9% of the population of Polk County, NC has health coverage, with 30.3% on employee plans, 14.1% on Medicaid, 23.4% on Medicare, 20.3% on non-group plans, and 1.81% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in North Carolina was $7,264 in 2014. This is a 3.37% increase from the previous year ($7,027).

Primary care physicians in Polk County, NC see 1718 patients per year on average, which represents a 8.08% decrease from the previous year (1869 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2961 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 545 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Jones County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (27.2%). Additionally, Bladen County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (49.1%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,718 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Polk County, NC

Primary care physicians in Polk County, NC see an average of 1,718 patients per year. This represents a 8.08% decrease from the previous year (1,869 patients).

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

$7,264

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in North Carolina

$3,859

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,225

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,260

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in North Carolina (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 3.37%, from $7,027 to $7,264.

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

Health Care Coverage

10.1%

Uninsured

30.3%

Employer Coverage

14.1%

Medicaid

23.4%

Medicare

20.3%

Non-Group

1.81%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Polk County, NC grew by 1.36% from 9.99% to 10.1%.

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