Polk County, OR

County

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2019 Population

83,037

1.98% 1-year growth

US Senator

Ron Wyden

Democratic Party

US Senator

Jeff Merkley

Democratic Party

2019 Median Age

0.27% 1-year decrease

2019 Poverty Rate

12.6%

10.4% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$62,691

7.45% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$265,200

9.32% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

37,400

4.17% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Polk County, OR had a population of 83k people with a median age of 37 and a median household income of $62,691. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Polk County, OR grew from 81,427 to 83,037, a 1.98% increase and its median household income grew from $58,344 to $62,691, a 7.45% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, OR are White (Non-Hispanic) (78.1%), White (Hispanic) (10%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.07%), Other (Hispanic) (2.95%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (1.83%). 0% of the households in Polk County, OR speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

95.3% of the residents in Polk County, OR are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Polk County, OR are Western Oregon University (1,505 degrees awarded in 2019).

In 2019, the median property value in Polk County, OR was $265,200, and the homeownership rate was 66.3%. Most people in Polk County, OR drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Polk County, OR was 2 cars per household.

Polk County, OR borders Benton County, OR, Lincoln County, OR, Linn County, OR, Marion County, OR, Tillamook County, OR, and Yamhill County, OR.

United States Oregon Salem, OR

Diversity

Polk County, OR is home to a population of 83k people, from which 95.3% are citizens. As of 2019, 7.77% of Polk County, OR residents were born outside of the country (6.45k people).

In 2019, there were 7.79 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (64.8k people) in Polk County, OR than any other race or ethnicity. There were 8.32k White (Hispanic) and 2.55k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, OR

White (Non-Hispanic)
64.8k ± 33
White (Hispanic)
8.32k ± 522
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
2.55k ± 420

13.9%

Hispanic Population

11.5k people

13.9% of the people in Polk County, OR are hispanic (11.5k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

7.77%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

6.45k people

8.03%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

6.54k people

As of 2019, 7.77% of Polk County, OR residents (6.45k 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, OR was 8.03%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.4

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 2.3

In 2019, the median age of all people in Polk County, OR was 37. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 36, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 41. But people in Polk County, OR are getting getting younger. In 2018, the average age of all Polk County, OR residents was 37.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
141,075 ± 9,063 people
China
22,741 ± 3,692 people
Vietnam
22,210 ± 3,649 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Oregon was Mexico, the natal country of 141,075 Oregon residents, followed by China with 22,741 and Vietnam with 22,210.

Citizenship

95.3%

2019 Citizenship

95%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 95.3% of Polk County, OR residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Polk County, OR was 95%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
2,185 ± 247
Gulf War (2001-)
749 ± 166
Gulf War (1990s)
714 ± 195

Polk County, OR has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.92 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

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

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

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 Oregon. 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 Oregon.

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Oregon 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, OR is $62,691. In 2019, the tract with the highest median household income in Polk County, OR was Census Tract 53 with a value of $90,201, followed by Census Tract 205 and Census Tract 52.01, with respective values of $80,794 and $77,721.

Males in Oregon have an average income that is 1.29 times higher than the average income of females, which is $52,010. The income inequality in Oregon (measured using the Gini index) is 0.465, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Polk County, OR employs 37.4k people. The largest industries in Polk County, OR are Health Care & Social Assistance (5,788 people), Educational Services (4,235 people), and Public Administration (3,857 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($74,375), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($66,000), and Public Administration ($59,841).

Wages

Median Household Income

$62,691

2019 value

± $1,999

7.45%

1 Year Growth

± 4.44%

Households in Polk County, OR have a median annual income of $62,691, 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 $58,344 in 2018, which represents a 7.45% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Polk County, OR 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 Oregon.

$66,971

Average Male Salary in Oregon

± $1,748

$52,010

Average Female Salary in Oregon

± $1,441

In 2019, full-time male employees in Oregon made 1.29 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Oregon 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 Oregon.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Oregon

Asian
$60,218 ± $5,230
White
$52,171 ± $1,101
Black
$42,634 ± $7,094

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Oregon workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.15 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Oregon.

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

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Polk County, OR is from Oregon.

0.465

2019 Wage GINI in Oregon

0.468

2018 Wage GINI in Oregon

In 2019, the income inequality in Oregon was 0.465 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.664% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Oregon was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Oregon in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Oregon 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 53
Census Tract 205
Census Tract 52.01

In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Polk County, OR was Census Tract 53 with a value of $90,201, followed by Census Tract 205 and Census Tract 52.01, with respective values of $80,794 and $77,721.

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

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

12.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Polk County, OR (10.3k out of 81.2k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Males 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
8,250 ± 689
Hispanic
1,866 ± 341
Two Or More
722 ± 185

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

37.4k

2019 Value

± 1,436

4.17%

1 Year growth

± 5.32%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Polk County, OR grew at a rate of 4.17%, from 35.9k employees to 37.4k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Polk County, OR, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,202 people), Management Occupations (3,876 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (3,254 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Polk County, OR.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Polk County, OR, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,202 people), Management Occupations (3,876 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (3,254 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Polk County, OR has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (5.05 times higher than expected), Healthcare Support Occupations (1.94 times), and Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (1.45 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Polk County, OR, by median earnings, are Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($92,401), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($81,850), and Management Occupations ($68,203).

Industries

Employment by Industries

37.4k

2019 Value

± 1,436

4.17%

1 Year growth

± 5.32%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Polk County, OR grew at a rate of 4.17%, from 35.9k employees to 37.4k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Polk County, OR, are Health Care & Social Assistance (5,788 people), Educational Services (4,235 people), and Public Administration (3,857 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Polk County, OR, though some of these residents may live in Polk County, OR 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, OR, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (5,788 people), Educational Services (4,235 people), and Public Administration (3,857 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Polk County, OR has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (4.3 times higher than expected), Public Administration (2.23 times), and Educational Services (1.22 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Polk County, OR, by median earnings, are Utilities ($74,375), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($66,000), and Public Administration ($59,841).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

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

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2018, the top outbound Oregon product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $23.3B, followed by Electronics ($21B) and Mixed freight ($20.8B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Oregon.

$174B

2018 Value in Oregon

$349B

Projected 2045 Value in Oregon

100% growth

In 2018, total outbound Oregon trade was $174B. This is expected to increase 100% to $349B by 2045.

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

Interstate Trade

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

Most Common Trade Partners

Washington
$38.9B
California
$24B
Texas
$4.89B

In 2018, the top outbound Oregon domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Washington with $38.9B, followed by California with $24B and Texas and $4.89B.

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

Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Polk County, OR went to Donald J. Trump with 47% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (40.7%), followed by Other (12.2%). The most partisan county was Lake County, OR with 76.9% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are the senators currently representing the state of Oregon. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Oregon is currently represented by 5 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

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

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (47%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (40.7%)
Democratic Party
Other (12.2%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Oregon went to Donald J. Trump with 47% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (40.7%), followed by Other (12.2%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Oregon 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 Oregon.

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

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Polk County, OR

47% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Oregon

Lake County, OR
76.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Grant County, OR
74% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Multnomah County, OR
73.3% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Oregon was Lake County, OR with 76.9% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

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

US Senators from Oregon

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

Ron Wyden

Senator from Oregon

Assumed office on February 5, 1996
Elected to the seat following the resignation of Bob Packwood.

Jeff Merkley

Senator from Oregon

Assumed office on January 3, 2009

Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are the senators currently representing Oregon.

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

US Representatives from Oregon

Oregon is currently represented by 5 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 Oregon have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2019, universities in Polk County, OR awarded 1,505 degrees. The student population of Polk County, OR is skewed towards women, with 1,751 male students and 3,178 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Polk County, OR are White (960 and 71.5%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (178 and 13.3%), Unknown (65 and 4.84%), and Asian (47 and 3.5%).

The largest universities in Polk County, OR by number of degrees awarded are Western Oregon University (1,505 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Polk County, OR are Teacher Education (152 and 10.1%), General Business (136 and 9.04%), and General Education (132 and 8.77%).

The median tuition cost in Polk County, OR for a public four year colleges is $7,920 for in-state students and $25,830 for out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business
136 degree-majorss awarded
General Education
132 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
115 degree-majorss awarded

In 2019, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Polk County, OR was General Business with 136 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Western Oregon University

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

1,505 degrees awarded

$7,920

Median In-State Public

In 2019, the Polk County, OR institution with the largest number of graduating students was Western Oregon University with 1,505 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

581

Degrees Awarded to Men

924

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2019, 581 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Polk County, OR, which is 0.629 times less than the 924 female students who received degrees in the same year.

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

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
960 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
178 degrees awarded
Unknown
65 degrees awarded

In 2019 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Polk County, OR was White students. These 960 degrees mean that there were 5.39 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 178 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Polk County, OR was $265,200 in 2019, which is 1.1 times larger than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $242,600 to $265,200, a 9.32% increase. The homeownership rate in Polk County, OR is 66.3%, which is higher than the national average of 64.1%. People in Polk County, OR have an average commute time of 24.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Polk County, OR is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$265,200

2019 Median

± $6,002

$242,600

2018 Median

± $5,171

In 2019, the median property value in Polk County, OR grew to to $265,200 from the previous year's value of $242,600.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Polk County, OR 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, OR 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.

$62,691

Median Household Income

± $1,999

30.3k

Number of Households

± 1,162

In 2019, the median household income of the 30.3k households in Polk County, OR grew to $62,691 from the previous year's value of $58,344.

The following chart displays the households in Polk County, OR 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

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Polk County, OR distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Polk County, OR the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

Rent vs Own

66.3%

2019 Homeownership

65.4%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 66.3% of the housing units in Polk County, OR were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 65.4%.

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

Commute Time

24.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Polk County, OR have a shorter commute time (24.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 2.86% of the workforce in Polk County, OR have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (78.5%)
Carpooled (9.69%)
Worked At Home (6.44%)

In 2019, 78.5% of workers in Polk County, OR drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.69%) and those who worked at home (6.44%).

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

Health

94.7% of the population of Polk County, OR has health coverage, with 49.7% on employee plans, 17% on Medicaid, 13.3% on Medicare, 13.6% on non-group plans, and 1.14% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Oregon was $8,044 in 2014. This is a 7.73% increase from the previous year ($7,467).

Primary care physicians in Polk County, OR see 1813 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.96% increase from the previous year (1744 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2391 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 338 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Jefferson County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (18.3%). Additionally, Malheur County and Union County have the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39.9%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,813 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Polk County, OR

Primary care physicians in Polk County, OR see an average of 1,813 patients per year. This represents a 3.96% increase from the previous year (1,744 patients).

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

$8,044

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Oregon

$4,232

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,185

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$8,942

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Oregon (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 7.73%, from $7,467 to $8,044.

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

Health Care Coverage

5.31%

Uninsured

49.7%

Employer Coverage

17%

Medicaid

13.3%

Medicare

13.6%

Non-Group

1.14%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Polk County, OR declined by 15.7% from 6.3% to 5.31%.

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