1st Advantage MortgageThe median Polk County household earns $49,191, and 16% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Arkansas before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Polk County
- Household income in Polk County
- The Polk County job picture
- Housing costs in Polk County
- Polk County towns compared
- Regional comparison for Polk County
- Debt-to-income at Polk County's medians
- What the numbers mean for Polk County borrowers
- Polk County households compared
- Before you sign
- Who licenses lenders for Polk County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Polk County
With an estimated 19,361 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Polk County ranks 35th of 75 in Arkansas for population. It covers 857 square miles of land, or about 23 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Polk County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 8 places in the county (6 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Mena, with about 5,582 residents, or 29% of the county.
Household income in Polk County
Half of Polk County households take in less than $49,191 a year and half take in more, 19% below the Arkansas median of $60,773. Only 46 Arkansas counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Polk County | vs Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.8% | +5.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.1% | +2.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.0% | -5.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.1% | -2.6 pts |
About 35% of households earn under $35,000, while 20% clear $100,000. 15.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.0%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.446 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Polk County median.
The Polk County job picture
The biggest employer of Polk County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by retail trade (16%). The sharpest difference from the state is in retail trade, at 16% locally and 13% for Arkansas. The survey's unemployment rate for Polk County averages 7.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). Long commutes are the exception here: 11% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Sector | Polk County | Compared with Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.3% | +1.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 15.6% | +2.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.0% | +1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.1% | -0.8 pts |
| Construction | 7.0% | -0.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.5% | -0.7 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Housing costs in Polk County
A typical Polk County rental runs $711 a month including utilities, which is 25% below Arkansas. 33% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 17% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $138,400, about 2.8 times the median household income. Owners occupy 79% of homes.
| Cost | Polk County | Arkansas figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $711/mo | $947/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $138,400 | $188,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 33% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 22% | n/a |
Because most Polk County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Polk County towns compared
8 Census places fall mainly inside Polk County; the 8 biggest are below. They account for 8,447 residents, leaving about 56% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $27,411 in Wickes to $75,132 in Grannis. Median rent ranges from $571 in Grannis to $721 in Hatfield. Live in one of these Polk County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mena | city | 5,582 | $47,428 | $639 | 6 mi |
| Wickes | town | 694 | $27,411 | $625 | 14 mi |
| Grannis | city | 691 | $75,132 | $571 | 18 mi |
| Hatfield | town | 544 | $38,863 | $721 | 8 mi |
| Cove | town | 462 | $39,688 | $574 | 11 mi |
| Acorn | CDP | 203 | $93,811 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Vandervoort | town | 202 | $78,839 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Board Camp | CDP | 69 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Regional comparison for Polk County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Polk County's, from 27 to 40 miles away. Income ranges from $43,270 in Scott County to $53,527 in Sevier County; 3 of these neighbors top Polk County's median. Some neighbors are in Oklahoma. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Polk County resident follows Arkansas rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County | - | $49,191 | $711/mo | 79% |
| Scott County, AR | 27 mi | $43,270 | $722/mo | 78% |
| Howard County, AR | 31 mi | $45,603 | $690/mo | 73% |
| Montgomery County, AR | 32 mi | $48,906 | $636/mo | 81% |
| Sevier County, AR | 34 mi | $53,527 | $751/mo | 68% |
| Le Flore County, OK | 39 mi | $51,565 | $798/mo | 73% |
| Pike County, AR | 40 mi | $49,269 | $686/mo | 75% |
Debt-to-income at Polk County's medians
Here is the Polk County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $4,099 a month: gross income for a household at the Polk County median
- Median rent: $711, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- At 40%, room after rent is $929 a month
If your rent is above $711, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
What the numbers mean for Polk County borrowers
Where the Polk County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Mobile home upkeep. 18% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Consolidating cards in Polk County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Polk County households compared
18% of Polk County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 9.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Polk County | Arkansas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.3 | 38.5 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.8% | 25.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.7% | 11.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.0% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.4% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.8% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.9% | 16.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.3% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 46.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.2% |
| 60+ min | 6.4% |
Before you sign
A short checklist for Polk County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Who licenses lenders for Polk County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a Polk County resident can confirm its license with the Arkansas State Bank Department. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Arkansas guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Arkansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Polk County a high-income county?
Its $49,191 median ranks 47th of 75 Arkansas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Polk County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $711 against $947 statewide, and 33% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Polk County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 79% of Polk County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Polk County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Mena, Wickes, Grannis, Hatfield, Cove and 3 more.
Are Polk County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.