Population
20,533
2025
+6.0% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Polk County, NC growth snapshot
Polk County had an estimated 20,533 residents in 2025, up 6.0% (1,155 more people) since 2020. That is slower than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 49th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+341
2025
16.6 per 1,000 residents
+2,148 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Jobs
5,598
2025
+14.0% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
Average weekly wage
$891
2025
+29.2% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
3.7%
2025
+0.1 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
141
2025
+4.4% since 2021
6.9 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$67,758
2020–24
+30.0% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
4,151
2023
+6.2% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration added 341 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 5,598 jobs in 2025, +14.0% since 2020 (35th of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $891.
Unemployment averaged 3.7% in 2025, 0.1 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 141 new homes in 2025, or 6.9 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $67,758 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +30.0% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 503rd.
Polk County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 20,533 | +145 |
| 2024 | 20,388 | +356 |
| 2023 | 20,032 | +34 |
| 2022 | 19,998 | +297 |
| 2021 | 19,701 | +323 |
| 2020 | 19,378 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Polk County
Polk County grew by 1,155 people since 2020; the largest part came from domestic migration (+2,148).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −178 | −994 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | −17 | −7 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +341 | +2,148 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | −1 | +8 | |
| Total change | +145 | +1,155 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In North Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 31st of 100 | 503rd of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 12th of 100 | 202nd of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 54th of 100 | 1,067th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 29th of 100 | 1,342nd of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 93rd of 100 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 39th of 100 | 1,201st of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 37th of 100 | 354th of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
Get the full county report — $99
The quarterly County Growth Report for Polk County, NC as a PDF: growth, jobs, wages, permits, announcements, sales where allowed, ranks against peer counties and a methods page. Pay once, no subscription.
See a sample report (PDF) · Other counties and options
Every purchase also includes a CSV of every table in the report, ready for a spreadsheet.
- Not useful? Email us within 14 days for a full refund
- Sold by Simply Stats LLC (NC)
- Secure Stripe checkout (Apple Pay/Google Pay)
- Instant PDF download
- PDF + CSV of every table
Refund terms: Terms. · How we compute every number
Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, Polk County's population change (+6.0%) was ahead of 2 of its 4 neighbouring counties and behind 2 (Spartanburg County, SC and Greenville County, SC).
2 of its 4 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Polk County's $67,758 (2020–24).
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County, NC This county | 20,533 | +6.0% | 16.6 | 6.9 | $67,758 |
| Rutherford County, NC | 65,745 | +2.1% | 8.6 | 4.1 | $51,410 |
| Henderson County, NC | 122,375 | +5.0% | 9.4 | 8.9 | $68,187 |
| Spartanburg County, SC | 380,857 | +15.6% | 24.2 | 10.5 | $66,234 |
| Greenville County, SC | 583,125 | +10.6% | 9.6 | 8.5 | $76,932 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
All 100 North Carolina counties · All Carolinas counties and metros
Questions
What is the population of Polk County?
About 20,533 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Polk County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 6.0% between 2020 and 2025, about 1,155 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 49th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Polk County?
On net, about 341 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
How many jobs are in Polk County?
Employers there reported 5,598 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +14.0% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $891 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Polk County?
It averaged 3.7% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Polk County?
Building permits authorized 141 new housing units in 2025, 6.9 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Polk County?
$67,758 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Polk County compare with other North Carolina counties?
Among North Carolina counties it ranks 31st of 100 for population growth; 12th of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 54th of 100 for private-sector job growth; 29th of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 503rd of 3,107 counties for population growth.
See Polk County tract by tract
Beacon CRE maps growth, permits, workforce, flood risk, opportunity zones, listings and recent sales for every county and census tract in the Carolinas, with grades that explain themselves.
Card required, cancel anytime before the trial ends. Prefer an invoice? Request a pilot.
Get the Carolinas CRE Growth Brief
One email a month: the NC and SC counties gaining people, jobs and new homes fastest, with the numbers behind them. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.