Polk County, Texas Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 66th-largest in Texas
The population of Polk County, Texas is 51,780 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 66th-largest county in Texas. The median household income is $59,066, the median home value is $154,000, and the median age is 43.9.
The population of Polk County has grown 19.4% since 2010 (45,444 → 54,258), a +1.27% annualized rate.
51,780
Population
+1.27%
Annual growth
49
People / sq mi
$59,066
Median Income
$154,000
Median Home Value
Polk County covers 1,057 sq mi of land at 49.0 people per square mile.
About Polk County, TX
Polk County is defined demographically by education — 13.4% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national average. Polk County is a county in Texas with a population of 51,780.
The typical household here earns about $59,066, below the US median of $78,538. Roughly 15.5% of residents fall below the poverty line, above the national 12.4%. Median home value is $154,000, with typical rent around $1,009.
College credentials are comparatively rare here: just 13.4%, below the national 35.0%. Just 5.4% of workers are home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 31 minutes each way.
Polk County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Polk County had a population of 45,444 in 2010 and 54,258 in 2024, a 19.4% growth over 14 years. The peak was 54,258 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.28%.
54,258
Population (2024)
45,444
Population (2010)
54,258
Peak (2024)
1.28%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 45,444 |
| 2011 | 45,582 |
| 2012 | 45,517 |
| 2013 | 45,527 |
| 2014 | 45,815 |
| 2015 | 46,617 |
| 2016 | 47,654 |
| 2017 | 48,938 |
| 2018 | 49,933 |
| 2019 | 51,254 |
| 2020 | 50,497 |
| 2021 | 51,878 |
| 2022 | 53,223 |
| 2023 | 54,146 |
| 2024 | 54,258 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 77.1% |
| Black or African American | 7.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.9% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
43.9
Median Age
46.2%
Female
53.8%
Male
18.9%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 16.9% · Seniors (65+): 18.9%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $59,066$-17,226 vs state |
| Mean household income | $74,300 |
| Per-capita income | $28,346 |
| Poverty rate | 15.5%+5.0% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% |
| Employment-to-population | 43.8% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Polk County is professional & business services, accounting for 19.0% of workers.
How residents commute
0.1%
Drive alone
1.5%
Carpool
81.2%
Public transit
5.4%
Work from home
30.5 min
Avg commute
Housing
$154,000$-106,400 vs state
Median home value
$1,009
Median rent
77.5%
Homeownership rate
25,677
Total housing units
72.3%
Occupied
27.7%
Vacant
22.5%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
84.2%
With health insurance
93.2%
With broadband internet
22.5%
Foreign-born
9.3%
Veterans (18+)
23.7%
With a disability
87.2%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
81.8%
High School+
13.4%
Bachelor's+
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Frequently Asked Questions
Polk County, Texas has a population of 51,780 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 66th-largest county in Texas. Population density is 49 people per square mile.
The population of Polk County has grown 19.4% since 2010 (45,444 → 54,258), a +1.27% annualized rate.
The median household income in Polk County, Texas is $59,066, with mean (average) household income of $74,300 and per-capita income of $28,346. 15.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Polk County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (77.1%), Black or African American (7.9%), Hispanic or Latino (3.9%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Polk County, Texas is 43.9 years. Residents are 46.2% female and 53.8% male.
The median home value in Polk County is $154,000 and median monthly rent is $1,009. 77.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 25,677 total housing units, 27.7% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Polk County, Texas is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 19.0% of workers. The unemployment rate is 4.3%.
Houston is among the largest cities associated with Polk County, Texas, with a population of 2,300,419.
Polk County, TX Climate
Polk County, TX has an average annual temperature of 18.9°C (66°F) and receives about 1231 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is July and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
18.9°C
Avg Temp
1231
Precip (mm/yr)
Jul
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9° / 48° | 102 mm |
| February | 11° / 52° | 88 mm |
| March | 15° / 59° | 95 mm |
| April | 19° / 65° | 90 mm |
| May | 23° / 73° | 137 mm |
| June | 26° / 79° | 121 mm |
| July | 28° / 82° | 88 mm |
| August | 28° / 82° | 79 mm |
| September | 25° / 77° | 111 mm |
| October | 20° / 67° | 91 mm |
| November | 14° / 57° | 109 mm |
| December | 10° / 50° | 120 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Polk County, TX
The most comfortable months to visit Polk County, TX are typically October, April and May, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is July (around 34°C high). The coldest is January (near 3°C low). May is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Polk County
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.