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 a county in Texas with a population of 51,780. It ranks #66 among counties in Texas by population. The median age is 43.9, older than the national median. The population is 53.8% male and 46.2% female.
The median household income in Polk County is $59,066, below the US median of $74,580. 15.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $154,000, with monthly rent averaging $1,009. The homeownership rate of 77.5% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Polk County reflects 13.4% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 5.4% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 30.5 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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County rankings
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.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.