Polk County, WI

County

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2019 Population

43,438

0.205% 1-year growth

US Senator

Ron Johnson

Republican Party

US Senator

Tammy Baldwin

Democratic Party

2019 Median Age

45.6

0.885% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

9.15%

6.64% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$59,994

5.38% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$169,700

3.04% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

21,516

0.224% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Polk County, WI had a population of 43.4k people with a median age of 45.6 and a median household income of $59,994. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Polk County, WI grew from 43,349 to 43,438, a 0.205% increase and its median household income grew from $56,932 to $59,994, a 5.38% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, WI are White (Non-Hispanic) (95%), White (Hispanic) (1.36%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.16%), American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (0.875%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (0.513%). 0% of the households in Polk County, WI speak a non-English language at home as their primary language, and 99.5% of the residents in Polk County, WI are U.S. citizens.

In 2019, the median property value in Polk County, WI was $169,700, and the homeownership rate was 78.9%. Most people in Polk County, WI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 28 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

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.

Start Year

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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Diversity

Polk County, WI is home to a population of 43.4k people, from which 99.5% are citizens. As of 2019, 2.11% of Polk County, WI residents were born outside of the country (917 people).

In 2019, there were 69.8 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (41.3k people) in Polk County, WI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 591 White (Hispanic) and 503 Two+ (Non-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 ± 23
White (Hispanic)
591 ± 70
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
503 ± 81.2

1.9%

Hispanic Population

825 people

1.9% of the people in Polk County, WI are hispanic (825 people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

2.11%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

917 people

1.22%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

528 people

As of 2019, 2.11% of Polk County, WI residents (917 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 34%. In 2018, 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

± 7.5

In 2019, the median age of all people in Polk County, WI was 45.6. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 46, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 50. But people in Polk County, WI are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Polk County, WI residents was 45.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
84,679 ± 7,092 people
India
25,530 ± 3,914 people
China
15,562 ± 3,059 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Wisconsin was Mexico, the natal country of 84,679 Wisconsin residents, followed by India with 25,530 and China with 15,562.

Citizenship

99.5%

2019 Citizenship

99.6%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 99.5% of Polk County, WI residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Polk County, WI was 99.6%, 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
1,244 ± 109
Gulf War (2001-)
395 ± 84
Korea
284 ± 61

Polk County, WI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.15 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Polk County, WI is $59,994. In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Polk County, WI was Census Tract 9609 with a value of $79,068, followed by Census Tract 9608 and Census Tract 9605, with respective values of $66,647 and $64,471.

Males in Wisconsin have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $49,130. The income inequality in Wisconsin (measured using the Gini index) is 0.447, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Polk County, WI employs 21.5k people. The largest industries in Polk County, WI are Manufacturing (5,346 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,411 people), and Retail Trade (1,926 people), and the highest paying industries are Public Administration ($56,300), Utilities ($54,271), and Wholesale Trade ($53,125).

Wages

Median Household Income

$59,994

2019 value

± $1,285

5.38%

1 Year Growth

± 2.97%

Households in Polk County, WI have a median annual income of $59,994, 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 $56,932 in 2018, which represents a 5.38% 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 Gender in Common Jobs

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

$65,653

Average Male Salary in Wisconsin

± $1,399

$49,130

Average Female Salary in Wisconsin

± $1,030

In 2019, full-time male employees in Wisconsin made 1.34 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-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

Asian
$52,790 ± $5,647
White
$50,361 ± $843
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$50,064 ± $38,727

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Wisconsin workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.05 times more than White 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.

0.447

2019 Wage GINI in Wisconsin

0.45

2018 Wage GINI in Wisconsin

In 2019, the income inequality in Wisconsin was 0.447 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.637% decline from 2018 to 2019, 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 9609
Census Tract 9608
Census Tract 9605

In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Polk County, WI was Census Tract 9609 with a value of $79,068, followed by Census Tract 9608 and Census Tract 9605, with respective values of $66,647 and $64,471.

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

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 55 - 64

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

9.15% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Polk County, WI (3.92k out of 42.8k 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 Females 25 - 34 and then Males 55 - 64.

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
3,563 ± 231
Hispanic
193 ± 85
Two Or More
133 ± 71

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

21.5k

2019 Value

± 551

0.224%

1 Year growth

± 3.49%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Polk County, WI grew at a rate of 0.224%, from 21.5k employees to 21.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Polk County, WI, are Production Occupations (3,315 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,116 people), and Management Occupations (1,887 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 (3,315 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,116 people), and Management Occupations (1,887 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Polk County, WI has an unusually high number of residents working as Production Occupations (2.72 times higher than expected), Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (2.24 times), and Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (1.46 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Polk County, WI, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($73,277), Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($71,797), and Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($68,214).

Industries

Employment by Industries

21.5k

2019 Value

± 551

0.224%

1 Year growth

± 3.49%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Polk County, WI grew at a rate of 0.224%, from 21.5k employees to 21.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Polk County, WI, are Manufacturing (5,346 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,411 people), and Retail Trade (1,926 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 (5,346 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,411 people), and Retail Trade (1,926 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Polk County, WI has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (2.85 times higher than expected), Manufacturing (2.48 times), and Construction (1.26 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Polk County, WI, by median earnings, are Public Administration ($56,300), Utilities ($54,271), and Wholesale Trade ($53,125).

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 2018, the top outbound Wisconsin product (by dollars) was Other foodstuffs with $39.4B, followed by Mixed freight ($31.4B) and Motorized vehicles ($28.5B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Wisconsin.

$354B

2018 Value in Wisconsin

$594B

Projected 2045 Value in Wisconsin

67.9% growth

In 2018, total outbound Wisconsin trade was $354B. This is expected to increase 67.9% to $594B by 2045.

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
$32.5B
Minnesota
$29.5B
Michigan
$16.2B

In 2018, the top outbound Wisconsin domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $32.5B, followed by Minnesota with $29.5B and Michigan and $16.2B.

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

Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Polk County, WI went to Donald J. Trump with 60.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (33.3%), followed by Other (6%). The most partisan county was Menominee County, WI with 78.4% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton 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

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 (60.7%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (33.3%)
Democratic Party
Other (6%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Wisconsin went to Donald J. Trump with 60.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (33.3%), followed by Other (6%).

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

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, WI

60.7% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Wisconsin

Menominee County, WI
78.4% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Florence County, WI
71.4% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Dane County, WI
70.2% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Wisconsin was Menominee County, WI with 78.4% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton 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 $169,700 in 2019, which is 0.706 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $164,700 to $169,700, a 3.04% increase. The homeownership rate in Polk County, WI is 78.9%, which is higher than the national average of 64.1%. People in Polk County, WI have an average commute time of 28 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

$169,700

2019 Median

± $2,407

$164,700

2018 Median

± $2,539

In 2019, the median property value in Polk County, WI grew to to $169,700 from the previous year's value of $164,700.

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.

$59,994

Median Household Income

± $1,285

18.5k

Number of Households

± 486

In 2019, the median household income of the 18.5k households in Polk County, WI grew to $59,994 from the previous year's value of $56,932.

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

78.9%

2019 Homeownership

78.4%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 78.9% of the housing units in Polk County, WI were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 78.4%.

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

Commute Time

28 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Polk County, WI have a longer commute time (28 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 3.65% 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 2019

Drove Alone (82.2%)
Carpooled (8.61%)
Worked At Home (5.21%)

In 2019, 82.2% of workers in Polk County, WI drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.61%) and those who worked at home (5.21%).

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 3 cars.

Health

94.3% of the population of Polk County, WI has health coverage, with 49.4% on employee plans, 13.9% on Medicaid, 14.9% on Medicare, 14.4% on non-group plans, and 1.63% 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

5.75%

Uninsured

49.4%

Employer Coverage

13.9%

Medicaid

14.9%

Medicare

14.4%

Non-Group

1.63%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Polk County, WI declined by 13.3% from 6.63% to 5.75%.

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.