Polk County, Arkansas Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Polk County is located in Arkansas with a total population of 19,348. It is the 35th most populous county out of 75 in Arkansas. The county encompasses 2 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Polk County is 44.4 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Polk County is $49,252. This is 16% lower than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 37% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.0%. This is 18% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.4%. This is 65% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $122,600. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $175,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Polk County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 82.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 66.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

Polk County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.9%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 14.8%.

Education

17.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.4%.