Polk County, TN

County

Add Comparison

2020 Population

16,807

0.0416% 1-year decline

US Senator

Marsha Blackburn

Republican Party

US Senator

Bill Hagerty

Republican Party

2020 Median Age

46.3

1.54% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

12.4%

17.2% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$45,326

4.66% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$112,700

2020 Employed Population

7,351

2.27% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Polk County, TN had a population of 16.8k people with a median age of 46.3 and a median household income of $45,326. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Polk County, TN declined from 16,814 to 16,807, a −0.0416% decrease and its median household income grew from $43,306 to $45,326, a 4.66% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, TN are White (Non-Hispanic) (92.8%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.84%), White (Hispanic) (1.7%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (0.857%), and Other (Hispanic) (0.458%).

None of the households in Polk County, TN 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.

99.4% of the residents in Polk County, TN are U.S. citizens.

In 2020, the median property value in Polk County, TN was $112,700, and the homeownership rate was 74.4%. Most people in Polk County, TN drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 29.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Polk County, TN was 2 cars per household.

Polk County, TN borders Fannin County, GA, Murray County, GA, Cherokee County, NC, Bradley County, TN, McMinn County, TN, and Monroe County, TN.

United States Tennessee Cleveland, TN

Diversity

Polk County, TN is home to a population of 16.8k people, from which 99.4% are citizens. As of 2020, 1.67% of Polk County, TN residents were born outside of the country (280 people).

In 2020, there were 24.2 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (15.6k people) in Polk County, TN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 645 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 285 White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, TN

White (Non-Hispanic)
15.6k ± 373
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
645 ± 387
White (Hispanic)
285 ± 93

2.15%

Hispanic Population

362 people

2.15% of the people in Polk County, TN are hispanic (362 people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

1.67%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

280 people

1.24%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

208 people

As of 2020, 1.67% of Polk County, TN residents (280 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, TN was 1.24%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.5

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 8.5

In 2020, the median age of all people in Polk County, TN was 46.3. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 46, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 53. But people in Polk County, TN are getting getting older. In 2019, the average age of all Polk County, TN residents was 46.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
88,072 ± 7,239 people
India
23,811 ± 3,782 people
Guatemala
14,944 ± 2,998 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Tennessee was Mexico, the natal country of 88,072 Tennessee residents, followed by India with 23,811 and Guatemala with 14,944.

Citizenship

99.4%

2020 Citizenship

99.4%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 99.4% of Polk County, TN residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Polk County, TN was 99.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
387 ± 97
Gulf War (2001-)
236 ± 105
Gulf War (1990s)
109 ± 59

Polk County, TN has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.64 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Tennessee. 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 Tennessee, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

View Full Dashboard

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Tennessee (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.

View Full Dashboard

Employment by Industry Sector

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

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 Tennessee. 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 Tennessee.

View Full Dashboard

Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Tennessee across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

View Full Dashboard

Economy

Median household income in Polk County, TN is $45,326. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Polk County, TN was Census Tract 9502.01 with a value of $47,197, followed by Census Tract 9503 and Census Tract 9504, with respective values of $45,050 and $38,194.

Males in Tennessee have an average income that is 1.37 times higher than the average income of females, which is $46,310. The income inequality in Tennessee (measured using the Gini index) is 0.463, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Polk County, TN employs 7.35k people. The largest industries in Polk County, TN are Manufacturing (1,463 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,149 people), and Educational Services (693 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($95,208), Information ($64,107), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($43,395).

Wages

Median Household Income

$45,326

2020 value

± $2,869

4.66%

1 Year Growth

± 8%

Households in Polk County, TN have a median annual income of $45,326, 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 $43,306 in 2019, which represents a 4.66% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Polk County, TN 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 Tennessee.

$63,354

Average Male Salary in Tennessee

± $1,463

$46,310

Average Female Salary in Tennessee

± $1,026

In 2020, full-time male employees in Tennessee made 1.37 times more than female employees.

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Tennessee

Asian
$67,966 ± $8,456
American Indian
$52,528 ± $22,388
White
$51,232 ± $978

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Tennessee workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.29 times more than American Indian workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Tennessee.

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

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Polk County, TN is from Tennessee.

0.463

2020 Wage GINI in Tennessee

0.465

2019 Wage GINI in Tennessee

In 2020, the income inequality in Tennessee was 0.463 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.436% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Tennessee was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Tennessee in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Tennessee 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 9502.01
Census Tract 9503
Census Tract 9504

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Polk County, TN was Census Tract 9502.01 with a value of $47,197, followed by Census Tract 9503 and Census Tract 9504, with respective values of $45,050 and $38,194.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 55 - 64

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

12.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Polk County, TN (2.05k out of 16.5k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Females 45 - 54 and then Females 25 - 34.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
1,944 ± 293
Hispanic
83 ± 114
Other
60 ± 107

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

7.35k

2020 Value

± 627

2.27%

1 Year growth

± 11.3%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Polk County, TN grew at a rate of 2.27%, from 7.19k employees to 7.35k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Polk County, TN, are Production Occupations (845 people), Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (663 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (653 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Polk County, TN.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Polk County, TN, by number of employees, are Production Occupations (845 people), Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (663 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (653 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Polk County, TN has an unusually high number of residents working as Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (2.94 times higher than expected), Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (2.83 times), and Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (2.22 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Polk County, TN, by median earnings, are Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($66,515), Healthcare Practitioners & Technical Occupations ($64,955), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($53,500).

Industries

Employment by Industries

7.35k

2020 Value

± 627

2.27%

1 Year growth

± 11.3%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Polk County, TN grew at a rate of 2.27%, from 7.19k employees to 7.35k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Polk County, TN, are Manufacturing (1,463 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,149 people), and Educational Services (693 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Polk County, TN, though some of these residents may live in Polk County, TN 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, TN, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (1,463 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,149 people), and Educational Services (693 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Polk County, TN has an unusually high number of Utilities (2.19 times higher than expected), Manufacturing (1.99 times), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (1.97 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Polk County, TN, by median earnings, are Utilities ($95,208), Information ($64,107), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($43,395).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

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

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Tennessee product (by dollars) was Electronics with $66B, followed by Mixed freight ($49B) and Pharmaceuticals ($47B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Tennessee.

$498B

2020 Value in Tennessee

$1.05T

Projected 2050 Value in Tennessee

111% growth

In 2020, total outbound Tennessee trade was $498B. This is expected to increase 111% to $1.05T by 2050.

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

Interstate Trade

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

Most Common Trade Partners

Georgia
$36.6B
Texas
$29.5B
California
$26.2B

In 2020, the top outbound Tennessee domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Georgia with $36.6B, followed by Texas with $29.5B and California and $26.2B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Polk County, TN went to Donald J. Trump with 81.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (17.8%), followed by Other (0.909%). The most partisan county was Scott County, TN with 88.4% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty are the senators currently representing the state of Tennessee. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Tennessee is currently represented by 9 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 (81.2%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (17.8%)
Democratic Party
Other (0.909%)
Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Polk County, TN went to Donald J. Trump with 81.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (17.8%), followed by Other (0.909%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Polk County, TN 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 Tennessee.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Polk County, TN

81.2% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Tennessee

Scott County, TN
88.4% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Wayne County, TN
86.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Hancock County, TN
86.4% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Tennessee was Scott County, TN with 88.4% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

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

US Senators from Tennessee

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

Marsha Blackburn

Senator from Tennessee

Assumed office on January 3, 2019

Bill Hagerty

Senator from Tennessee

Assumed office on January 3, 2021

Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty are the senators currently representing Tennessee.

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

US Representatives from Tennessee

Tennessee is currently represented by 9 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 Tennessee have changed over time starting in 2008.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Polk County, TN was $112,700 in 2020, which is 0.49 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $112,700 to $112,700, a 0% change. The homeownership rate in Polk County, TN is 74.4%, which is higher than the national average of 64.4%. People in Polk County, TN have an average commute time of 29.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Polk County, TN is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$112,700

2020 Median

± $6,694

$112,700

2019 Median

± $7,265

In 2020, the median property value in Polk County, TN stayed at to $112,700 from the previous year's value of $112,700.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Polk County, TN 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, TN the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

Household Income

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

$45,326

Median Household Income

± $2,869

7.45k

Number of Households

± 590

In 2020, the median household income of the 7.45k households in Polk County, TN grew to $45,326 from the previous year's value of $43,306.

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

Rent vs Own

74.4%

2020 Homeownership

73.7%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 74.4% of the housing units in Polk County, TN were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 73.7%.

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

Commute Time

29.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Polk County, TN have a longer commute time (29.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 2.26% of the workforce in Polk County, TN have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (85.1%)
Carpooled (10.7%)
Worked At Home (3.12%)

In 2020, 85.1% of workers in Polk County, TN drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.7%) and those who worked at home (3.12%).

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

Health

86% of the population of Polk County, TN has health coverage, with 38.6% on employee plans, 17.5% on Medicaid, 18.5% on Medicare, 8.78% on non-group plans, and 2.57% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Tennessee was $7,372 in 2014. This is a 3.74% increase from the previous year ($7,106).

Primary care physicians in Polk County, TN see 2112 patients per year on average, which represents a 26% increase from the previous year (1676 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2805 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 16832 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, DeKalb County and Lauderdale County have the highest prevalence of diabetes (21.5%). Additionally, Lauderdale County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (47.4%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,112 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Polk County, TN

Primary care physicians in Polk County, TN see an average of 2,112 patients per year. This represents a 26% increase from the previous year (1,676 patients).

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

$7,372

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Tennessee

$4,680

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,677

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,371

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Tennessee (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 3.74%, from $7,106 to $7,372.

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

Health Care Coverage

14%

Uninsured

38.6%

Employer Coverage

17.5%

Medicaid

18.5%

Medicare

8.78%

Non-Group

2.57%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Polk County, TN grew by 25.3% from 11.2% to 14%.

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