Polk County, Arkansas Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 35th-largest in Arkansas

The population of Polk County, Arkansas is 19,348 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 35th-largest county in Arkansas. The median household income is $49,252, the median home value is $122,600, and the median age is 44.4.

The population of Polk County has declined 6.0% since 2010 (20,669 → 19,434), a -0.44% annualized rate.

Polk County within Arkansas · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

19,348

Population

-0.44%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$49,252

Median Income

$122,600

Median Home Value

Polk County covers 857 sq mi of land at 22.6 people per square mile.

About Polk County, AR

Homeownership is the standout figure in Polk County: 82.2% of homes are owner-occupied, higher than the national rate. Polk County is a county in Arkansas with a population of 19,348. It ranks #35 among counties in Arkansas by population.

Earnings trail the nation, with the median household making $49,252, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 15.3%, above the national 12.4%. Homes are comparatively cheap — a median value of $122,600, with typical rent around $699.

Degree attainment is on the lower side for US counties: 17.2% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national 35.0%. Just 5.2% of workers are home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 21 minutes each way.

The ownership rate anchors the housing story in Polk County, and tends to move with the age structure and home-value figures above.

Polk County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Polk County had a population of 20,669 in 2010 and 19,434 in 2024, a -6.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 20,669 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.43%.

Polk County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

19,434

Population (2024)

20,669

Population (2010)

20,669

Peak (2010)

-0.43%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	20,669	-	-	estimate
2011	20,560	-109	-0.53%	estimate
2012	20,421	-139	-0.68%	estimate
2013	20,344	-77	-0.38%	estimate
2014	20,257	-87	-0.43%	estimate
2015	20,205	-52	-0.26%	estimate
2016	20,164	-41	-0.20%	estimate
2017	20,163	-1	-0.00%	estimate
2018	20,019	-144	-0.71%	estimate
2019	19,944	-75	-0.37%	estimate
2020	19,186	-758	-3.80%	estimate
2021	19,326	+140	+0.73%	estimate
2022	19,368	+42	+0.22%	estimate
2023	19,490	+122	+0.63%	estimate
2024	19,434	-56	-0.29%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	89.4%
Black or African American	0.1%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	5.3%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

44.4

Median Age

51.1%

Female

48.9%

Male

22.6%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.3%

5–9

7.3%

10–14

5.8%

15–19

6.3%

20–24

5.3%

25–34

10.1%

35–44

10.6%

45–54

11.9%

55–59

6.1%

60–64

8.8%

65–74

12.9%

75–84

7.7%

85+

2.0%

Children (under 15): 18.4% · Seniors (65+): 22.6%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$49,252$-9,521 vs state
Mean household income	$75,460
Per-capita income	$32,243
Poverty rate	15.3%+3.8% vs state
Unemployment rate	4.7%
Employment-to-population	50.9%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

24.9%

Manufacturing

14.1%

Education & health care

8.9%

Agriculture

6.7%

Construction

6.4%

Retail trade

6.0%

Information

4.6%

Arts, entertainment & food

4.4%

The largest employment sector in Polk County is professional & business services, accounting for 24.9% of workers.

How residents commute

0.0%

Drive alone

1.8%

Carpool

77.5%

Public transit

5.2%

Work from home

20.5 min

Avg commute

Housing

$122,600$-52,700 vs state

Median home value

$699

Median rent

82.2%

Homeownership rate

9,647

Total housing units

81.7%

Occupied

18.3%

Vacant

17.8%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

90.3%

With health insurance

90.4%

With broadband internet

40.8%

Foreign-born

9.3%

Veterans (18+)

21.4%

With a disability

94.1%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

87.4%

High School+

17.2%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Arkansas

Little Rock (202,739)Fayetteville (97,227)Fort Smith (89,496)Springdale (87,388)Jonesboro (79,187)Rogers (71,411)Conway (66,288)North Little Rock (64,504)Bentonville (56,326)Pine Bluff (40,436)All Arkansas cities →

Other counties in Arkansas

Pulaski County (398,949)Benton County (294,541)Washington County (251,863)Sebastian County (128,448)Faulkner County (126,001)Saline County (125,724)Craighead County (112,097)Garland County (100,062)White County (77,395)Lonoke County (74,747)All Arkansas counties →

Part of Arkansas

Arkansas demographic profile All Arkansas data →

Metro areas in Arkansas

Memphis (1,341,606)Little Rock (753,605)Fayetteville (563,436)Fort Smith (228,916)Texarkana (146,868)Jonesboro (134,837)Hot Springs (100,062)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Polk County, Arkansas has a population of 19,348 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 35th-largest county in Arkansas. Population density is 23 people per square mile.

The population of Polk County has declined 6.0% since 2010 (20,669 → 19,434), a -0.44% annualized rate.

The median household income in Polk County, Arkansas is $49,252, with mean (average) household income of $75,460 and per-capita income of $32,243. 15.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Polk County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (89.4%), Hispanic or Latino (5.3%), Black or African American (0.1%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Polk County, Arkansas is 44.4 years. Residents are 51.1% female and 48.9% male.

The median home value in Polk County is $122,600 and median monthly rent is $699. 82.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 9,647 total housing units, 18.3% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Polk County, Arkansas is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 24.9% of workers. The unemployment rate is 4.7%.

Little Rock is among the largest cities associated with Polk County, Arkansas, with a population of 202,739.