Polk borough, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Polk borough, Pennsylvania has a total population of 692, the 1181st largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $44,250, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 35.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (35.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.2% is notably above the national average.
Polk borough Quick Facts
How Polk borough Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Polk borough Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Venango County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil City city | 9,517 | $52,688 | 18.0% | $66,600 |
| Franklin city | 6,026 | $54,955 | 17.2% | $109,200 |
| Sugarcreek borough | 4,745 | $59,594 | 9.1% | $100,000 |
| Pleasantville borough (Venango County) | 794 | $57,500 | 8.7% | $107,400 |
| Emlenton borough | 623 | $65,179 | 11.2% | $111,300 |
| Clintonville borough | 503 | $44,844 | 9.3% | $97,200 |
| Rouseville borough | 470 | $56,250 | 21.5% | $57,000 |
| Cooperstown borough | 380 | $61,058 | 6.6% | $112,500 |
| Barkeyville borough | 200 | $68,333 | 2.5% | $102,900 |
| Utica borough | 150 | $54,583 | 4.8% | $65,000 |
Cities Similar to Polk borough
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gratz borough | 682 | N/A | $130,400 | 7.8% | 32.1% |
| Wheatland borough | 703 | $43,625 | $64,600 | 19.0% | 33.1% |
| Jamestown borough | 709 | $44,821 | $86,900 | 15.0% | 10.6% |
| Bird-in-Hand CDP | 670 | N/A | $244,700 | 4.8% | 13.3% |
| Marion Heights borough | 694 | $41,250 | $88,000 | 8.5% | 21.7% |
Population Overview
Polk borough is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Venango County. The total population is 692. It ranks as the 1181st most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Polk borough is 53.5 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. Only 13.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Polk borough is $44,250. This is 42% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 44% lower. The poverty rate stands at 35.0%. This is 197% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 9.2%. This is 75% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $87,500. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $240,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Polk borough is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Polk borough has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.6%. The Black or African American population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 8.4%.
Education
11.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 34.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 75.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Polk borough, Pennsylvania is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,993 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Polk borough, Pennsylvania?
Polk borough, Pennsylvania has a population of 692 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Polk borough, PA?
The median household income in Polk borough is $44,250, which is 44% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Polk borough, PA?
The poverty rate in Polk borough is 35.0%. This means approximately 242 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Polk borough, Pennsylvania?
Polk borough's population is 92.5% White, 2.6% Black, 2.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Polk borough, PA?
The median home value in Polk borough is $87,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Polk borough, Pennsylvania?
11.6% of adults (25+) in Polk borough hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.