Polk County, WI

County

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2020 Population

43,549

0.256% 1-year growth

US Senator

Ron Johnson

Republican Party

US Senator

Tammy Baldwin

Democratic Party

2020 Median Age

45.9

0.658% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

9.28%

1.35% 1-year increase

2020 Median Household Income

$61,814

3.03% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$177,100

4.36% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

21,770

1.18% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Polk County, WI had a population of 43.5k people with a median age of 45.9 and a median household income of $61,814. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Polk County, WI grew from 43,438 to 43,549, a 0.256% increase and its median household income grew from $59,994 to $61,814, a 3.03% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, WI are White (Non-Hispanic) (94.8%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.46%), White (Hispanic) (1.28%), American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (0.815%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (0.427%).

None of the households in Polk County, WI 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.

99.5% of the residents in Polk County, WI are U.S. citizens.

In 2020, the median property value in Polk County, WI was $177,100, and the homeownership rate was 79.8%. Most people in Polk County, WI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 29.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Polk County, WI was 2 cars per household.

Polk County, WI borders Chisago County, MN, Washington County, MN, Barron County, WI, Burnett County, WI, Dunn County, WI, and St. Croix County, WI.

United States Wisconsin

Diversity

Polk County, WI is home to a population of 43.5k people, from which 99.5% are citizens. As of 2020, 1.27% of Polk County, WI residents were born outside of the country (551 people).

In 2020, there were 64.9 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (41.3k people) in Polk County, WI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 636 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 558 White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, WI

White (Non-Hispanic)
41.3k ± 54
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
636 ± 86.6
White (Hispanic)
558 ± 79

1.94%

Hispanic Population

845 people

1.94% of the people in Polk County, WI are hispanic (845 people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

1.27%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

551 people

1.22%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

530 people

As of 2020, 1.27% of Polk County, WI residents (551 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, WI was 1.22%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.2

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 12.1

In 2020, the median age of all people in Polk County, WI was 45.9. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 46, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 49. But people in Polk County, WI are getting getting older. In 2019, the average age of all Polk County, WI residents was 46.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
83,497 ± 7,043 people
India
23,435 ± 3,751 people
China
16,997 ± 3,196 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Wisconsin was Mexico, the natal country of 83,497 Wisconsin residents, followed by India with 23,435 and China with 16,997.

Citizenship

99.5%

2020 Citizenship

99.5%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 99.5% of Polk County, WI residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Polk County, WI was 99.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,189 ± 131
Gulf War (2001-)
548 ± 168
Gulf War (1990s)
319 ± 102

Polk County, WI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.17 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

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

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

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 Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin.

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Wisconsin 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, WI is $61,814. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Polk County, WI was Census Tract 9608 with a value of $70,438, followed by Census Tract 9605 and Census Tract 9610, with respective values of $69,219 and $63,433.

Males in Wisconsin have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $50,335. The income inequality in Wisconsin (measured using the Gini index) is 0.445, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Polk County, WI employs 21.8k people. The largest industries in Polk County, WI are Manufacturing (5,231 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,612 people), and Construction (1,925 people), and the highest paying industries are Public Administration ($61,875), Wholesale Trade ($58,073), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($56,719).

Wages

Median Household Income

$61,814

2020 value

± $1,751

3.03%

1 Year Growth

± 3.45%

Households in Polk County, WI have a median annual income of $61,814, 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 $59,994 in 2019, which represents a 3.03% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Polk County, WI 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 Wisconsin.

$67,178

Average Male Salary in Wisconsin

± $1,422

$50,335

Average Female Salary in Wisconsin

± $1,056

In 2020, full-time male employees in Wisconsin made 1.33 times more than female employees.

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Wisconsin

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$55,291 ± $41,825
Asian
$55,086 ± $5,855
White
$51,777 ± $864

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Wisconsin workers was Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander. These workers were paid 1 times more than Asian workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Wisconsin.

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

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Polk County, WI is from Wisconsin.

0.445

2020 Wage GINI in Wisconsin

0.447

2019 Wage GINI in Wisconsin

In 2020, the income inequality in Wisconsin was 0.445 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.51% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Wisconsin was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Wisconsin in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Wisconsin 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 9608
Census Tract 9605
Census Tract 9610

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Polk County, WI was Census Tract 9608 with a value of $70,438, followed by Census Tract 9605 and Census Tract 9610, with respective values of $69,219 and $63,433.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 55 - 64

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

9.28% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Polk County, WI (3.99k out of 43k 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 25 - 34 and then Males 6 - 11.

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

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
3,585 ± 262
Two Or More
216 ± 94
Hispanic
214 ± 92

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

21.8k

2020 Value

± 627

1.18%

1 Year growth

± 3.81%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Polk County, WI grew at a rate of 1.18%, from 21.5k employees to 21.8k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Polk County, WI, are Production Occupations (3,198 people), Management Occupations (2,340 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,947 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Polk County, WI.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Polk County, WI, by number of employees, are Production Occupations (3,198 people), Management Occupations (2,340 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,947 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Polk County, WI has an unusually high number of residents working as Production Occupations (2.63 times higher than expected), Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (2 times), and Construction & Extraction Occupations (1.37 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Polk County, WI, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($75,737), Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($74,331), and Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations ($72,763).

Industries

Employment by Industries

21.8k

2020 Value

± 627

1.18%

1 Year growth

± 3.81%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Polk County, WI grew at a rate of 1.18%, from 21.5k employees to 21.8k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Polk County, WI, are Manufacturing (5,231 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,612 people), and Construction (1,925 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Polk County, WI, though some of these residents may live in Polk County, WI 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, WI, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (5,231 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,612 people), and Construction (1,925 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Polk County, WI has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (2.47 times higher than expected), Manufacturing (2.4 times), and Construction (1.32 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Polk County, WI, by median earnings, are Public Administration ($61,875), Wholesale Trade ($58,073), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($56,719).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

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

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Wisconsin product (by dollars) was Other foodstuffs with $42.6B, followed by Mixed freight ($37.6B) and Machinery ($37.1B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Wisconsin.

$365B

2020 Value in Wisconsin

$615B

Projected 2050 Value in Wisconsin

68.3% growth

In 2020, total outbound Wisconsin trade was $365B. This is expected to increase 68.3% to $615B by 2050.

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

Interstate Trade

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

Most Common Trade Partners

Illinois
$36.6B
Minnesota
$18.2B
Michigan
$17.7B

In 2020, the top outbound Wisconsin domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $36.6B, followed by Minnesota with $18.2B and Michigan and $17.7B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Polk County, WI went to Donald J. Trump with 63% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (35.5%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.1%). The most partisan county was Menominee County, WI with 81.9% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin are the senators currently representing the state of Wisconsin. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Wisconsin is currently represented by 8 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 (63%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (35.5%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.1%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Polk County, WI went to Donald J. Trump with 63% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (35.5%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.1%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Polk County, WI 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 Wisconsin.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Polk County, WI

63% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Wisconsin

Menominee County, WI
81.9% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Dane County, WI
75.5% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Florence County, WI
72.6% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Wisconsin was Menominee County, WI with 81.9% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

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

US Senators from Wisconsin

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

Ron Johnson

Senator from Wisconsin

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Tammy Baldwin

Senator from Wisconsin

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin are the senators currently representing Wisconsin.

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

US Representatives from Wisconsin

Wisconsin is currently represented by 8 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 Wisconsin have changed over time starting in 2008.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Polk County, WI was $177,100 in 2020, which is 0.771 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $169,700 to $177,100, a 4.36% increase. The homeownership rate in Polk County, WI is 79.8%, which is higher than the national average of 64.4%. People in Polk County, WI have an average commute time of 29.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Polk County, WI is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$177,100

2020 Median

± $4,813

$169,700

2019 Median

± $2,407

In 2020, the median property value in Polk County, WI grew to to $177,100 from the previous year's value of $169,700.

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

Household Income

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

$61,814

Median Household Income

± $1,751

18.6k

Number of Households

± 562

In 2020, the median household income of the 18.6k households in Polk County, WI grew to $61,814 from the previous year's value of $59,994.

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

Rent vs Own

79.8%

2020 Homeownership

78.9%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 79.8% of the housing units in Polk County, WI were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 78.9%.

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

Commute Time

29.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Polk County, WI have a longer commute time (29.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 3.78% of the workforce in Polk County, WI have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (82.8%)
Carpooled (7.59%)
Worked At Home (6.34%)

In 2020, 82.8% of workers in Polk County, WI drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (7.59%) and those who worked at home (6.34%).

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

Health

94.2% of the population of Polk County, WI has health coverage, with 50.1% on employee plans, 13.4% on Medicaid, 16.1% on Medicare, 13.2% on non-group plans, and 1.45% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Wisconsin was $8,702 in 2014. This is a 6.26% increase from the previous year ($8,189).

Primary care physicians in Polk County, WI see 1321 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.36% increase from the previous year (1278 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1824 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 521 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Adams County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (18.2%). Additionally, Columbia County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (45.7%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,321 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Polk County, WI

Primary care physicians in Polk County, WI see an average of 1,321 patients per year. This represents a 3.36% increase from the previous year (1,278 patients).

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

$8,702

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Wisconsin

$5,159

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,057

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,608

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Wisconsin (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 6.26%, from $8,189 to $8,702.

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

Health Care Coverage

5.84%

Uninsured

50.1%

Employer Coverage

13.4%

Medicaid

16.1%

Medicare

13.2%

Non-Group

1.45%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Polk County, WI grew by 1.67% from 5.75% to 5.84%.

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