Polk County, AR

County

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2021 Population

19,476

2.62% 1-year decline

US Senator

John Boozman

Republican Party

US Senator

Tom Cotton

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

44.3

0.225% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

20.9%

5.8% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$43,444

11.2% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$108,100

4.24% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

7,466

1.79% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Polk County, AR had a population of 19.5k people with a median age of 44.3 and a median household income of $43,444. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Polk County, AR declined from 19,999 to 19,476, a −2.62% decrease and its median household income grew from $39,084 to $43,444, a 11.2% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, AR are White (Non-Hispanic) (87.1%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.22%), Other (Hispanic) (2.81%), White (Hispanic) (2.71%), and American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (1.51%).

None of the households in Polk County, AR 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.

97.4% of the residents in Polk County, AR are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Polk County, AR are University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain (356 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Polk County, AR was $108,100, and the homeownership rate was 77.2%.

Most people in Polk County, AR drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Polk County, AR was 2 cars per household.

Polk County, AR borders Howard County, AR, Montgomery County, AR, Pike County, AR, Scott County, AR, Sevier County, AR, Le Flore County, OK, and McCurtain County, OK.

United States Arkansas

Population & Diversity

Polk County, AR is home to a population of 19.5k people, from which 97.4% are citizens. As of 2021, 4.05% of Polk County, AR residents were born outside of the country (789 people).

In 2021, there were 27 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (17k people) in Polk County, AR than any other race or ethnicity. There were 628 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 547 Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.4%

2021 Citizenship

97.1%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 97.4% of Polk County, AR residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Polk County, AR was 97.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, AR

White (Non-Hispanic)
17k ± 100
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
628 ± 119
Other (Hispanic)
547 ± 119

6.62%

Hispanic Population

1.29k people

6.62% of the people in Polk County, AR are hispanic (1.29k people).

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

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
62,153 ± 6,057 people
El Salvador
16,156 ± 3,112 people
India
9,838 ± 2,431 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Arkansas was Mexico, the natal country of 62,153 Arkansas residents, followed by El Salvador with 16,156 and India with 9,838.

Foreign-Born Population

4.05%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

789 people

4.05%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

810 people

As of 2021, 4.05% of Polk County, AR residents (789 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Polk County, AR was 4.05%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
910 ± 161
Gulf War (1990s)
200 ± 86
Korea
80 ± 57

Polk County, AR has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 4.55 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Polk County, AR employs 7.47k people. The largest industries in Polk County, AR are Manufacturing (1,170 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,040 people), and Retail Trade (919 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($70,648), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($55,078), and Public Administration ($52,381).

Males in Arkansas have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $46,055. The income inequality in Arkansas (measured using the Gini index) is 0.45, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

7.47k

2021 Value

± 597

1.79%

1 Year growth

± 11%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Polk County, AR grew at a rate of 1.79%, from 7.34k employees to 7.47k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Polk County, AR, are Production Occupations (853 people), Management Occupations (759 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (573 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Polk County, AR.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Arkansas (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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Industries

Employment by Industries

7.47k

2021 Value

± 597

1.79%

1 Year growth

± 11%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Polk County, AR grew at a rate of 1.79%, from 7.34k employees to 7.47k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Polk County, AR, are Manufacturing (1,170 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,040 people), and Retail Trade (919 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Polk County, AR, though some of these residents may live in Polk County, AR and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$36,654

Median earning men ± $3,163

$22,596

Median earning women ± $2,084

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Wholesale Trade ($50,478), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($48,500), and Manufacturing ($48,162).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($65,250), Manufacturing ($34,861), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($33,125).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Arkansas. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Arkansas.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

147
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
114
Manufacturing
106
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$147k
Manufacturing
$35.7k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$29.7k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

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

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Arkansas product (by dollars) was Meat/seafood with $14.8B, followed by Mixed freight ($14.6B) and Coal-n.e.c. ($9.99B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Arkansas.

$142B

2020 Value in Arkansas

$271B

Projected 2050 Value in Arkansas

90.7% growth

In 2020, total outbound Arkansas trade was $142B. This is expected to increase 90.7% to $271B by 2050.

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

Interstate Trade

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

Most Common Trade Partners

Texas
$11.3B
Mississippi
$7.08B
Oklahoma
$5.91B

In 2020, the top outbound Arkansas domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $11.3B, followed by Mississippi with $7.08B and Oklahoma and $5.91B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Polk County, AR went to Donald J. Trump with 82.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (14.7%), followed by Other (1.48%).

John Boozman and Tom Cotton are the senators currently representing the state of Arkansas. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Arkansas is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (82.9%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (14.7%)
Democratic Party
Other (1.48%)
Green and Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Polk County, AR went to Donald J. Trump with 82.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (14.7%), followed by Other (1.48%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Polk County, AR for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Arkansas

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

John Boozman

Senator from Arkansas

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Tom Cotton

Senator from Arkansas

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

John Boozman and Tom Cotton are the senators currently representing Arkansas.

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

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Arkansas

Arkansas is currently represented by 4 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 Arkansas have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Polk County, AR awarded 356 degrees. The student population of Polk County, AR in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 253 male students and 465 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Polk County, AR are White (297 and 89.2%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (9 and 2.7%), Unknown (9 and 2.7%), and Two or More Races (5 and 1.5%).

The largest universities in Polk County, AR by number of degrees awarded are University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain (356 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Polk County, AR are General Studies (122 and 34.3%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (36 and 10.1%), and Welding Technology (27 and 7.58%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 718 students enrolled in Polk County, AR, 35.2% men and 64.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 565 records, of which 66.5% were women and 33.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Studies
91 degrees awarded
Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training
21 degrees awarded
General Cosmetology
16 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Polk County, AR was General Studies with 91 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in Polk County, AR according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

356 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain with 356 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 149 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Polk County, AR, which is 0.72 times less than the 207 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 297 degrees mean that there were 33 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 9 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($2,328) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,248) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($750) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2021, 0.862% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.801% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (802k), Some college (542k), and Secondary Education (364k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Polk County, AR was $108,100 in 2021, which is 0.441 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $103,700 to $108,100, a 4.24% increase. The homeownership rate in Polk County, AR is 77.2%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Polk County, AR have an average commute time of 21.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Polk County, AR is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Polk County, AR is $43,444. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Polk County, AR was Census Tract 9505 with a value of $47,417, followed by Census Tract 9504 and Census Tract 9501, with respective values of $46,689 and $41,169.

In 2022, 17.4% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Polk County, AR. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 4.97%.

Housing

Property

$108,100

Median Property Value 2021

±$10,091

$5,972

Median Property Taxes

±$474

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Polk County, AR the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Polk County, AR compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

77.2%

Homeownership

2021

72%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 77.2% of the housing units in Polk County, AR were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 75.8%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Polk County, AR compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9505
Census Tract 9504
Census Tract 9501

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Polk County, AR was Census Tract 9505 with a value of $47,417, followed by Census Tract 9504 and Census Tract 9501, with respective values of $46,689 and $41,169.

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

Household Income

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

$43,444

Median Household Income

± $3,623

7.74k

Number of Households

± 564

In 2021, the median household income of the 7.74k households in Polk County, AR grew to $43,444 from the previous year's value of $39,084.

The following chart displays the households in Polk County, AR 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.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Polk County, AR is from Arkansas.

0.45

2021 Wage GINI in Arkansas

0.45

2020 Wage GINI in Arkansas

In 2021, the income inequality in Arkansas was 0.45 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0627% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Arkansas was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Arkansas in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Arkansas across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (78.2%)
Carpooled (15.7%)
Worked At Home (3.77%)

In 2021, 78.2% of workers in Polk County, AR drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (15.7%) and those who worked at home (3.77%).

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.

Commute Time

21.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Polk County, AR have a shorter commute time (21.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 3.36% of the workforce in Polk County, AR have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Polk County, AR distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Polk County, AR have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 17.4% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Polk County, AR. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 4.97%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

20.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Polk County, AR (4.02k out of 19.2k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 6 - 11, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 55 - 64.

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

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.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 28.1% of the children was living in poverty in Polk County, AR. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 8.4%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

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.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 297 in Polk County, AR. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 2.4 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

89.8% of the population of Polk County, AR has health coverage, with 28.2% on employee plans, 26.8% on Medicaid, 14.7% on Medicare, 17% on non-group plans, and 3.14% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Polk County, AR see 1248 patients per year on average, which represents a 6.66% decrease from the previous year (1337 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2190 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1095 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.4% were men and 52.6% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,248 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Polk County, AR

Primary care physicians in Polk County, AR see an average of 1,248 patients per year. This represents a 6.66% decrease from the previous year (1,337 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Polk County, AR in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.5% under 18 years, 15.6% between 18 and 34 years, 37.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 22.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.4% were men and 52.6% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

10.2%

Uninsured

28.2%

Employer Coverage

26.8%

Medicaid

14.7%

Medicare

17%

Non-Group

3.14%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Polk County, AR grew by 6.67% from 9.58% to 10.2%.

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

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 77.2 in Polk County, AR.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Polk County, AR.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 35.3% in Polk County, AR.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Polk County, AR.

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