1st Advantage MortgagePolk County (43,785 residents) has a $58,515 median household income and $918 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- 43,785 residents: Polk County basics
- Housing costs in Polk County
- Paychecks and income spread in Polk County
- Labor force snapshot: Polk County
- Where Polk County differs from the rest of Georgia
- Cedartown and the rest of Polk County
- Regional comparison for Polk County
- What the numbers mean for Polk County borrowers
- Polk County demographics against Georgia
- Budget math at the Polk County median
- Verifying a lender from Polk County
- Checklist for Polk County applicants
- More guides for Polk County
- Frequently asked questions
43,785 residents: Polk County basics
Roughly 43,785 residents live in Polk County, Georgia, 47th by population among the state's 159 counties and county equivalents. Its 310 square miles average 141 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Largest place: Cedartown, about 10,227 residents (23% of Polk County); 4 Census places in all.
Housing costs in Polk County
Half of Polk County renters pay more than $918 a month and half pay less; the Georgia midpoint is $1,393. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 54% of renter households here. With a median value of $187,600, a typical Polk County house costs 3.2 times what the median household earns in a year. In Polk County, 66% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. Median construction year: 1983.
| Measure | Polk County | Georgia | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $187,600 | $303,300 | 38% lower |
| Median gross rent | $918/mo | $1,393/mo | 34% lower |
| Rent-burdened renters | 54% | 52% | +1.6 pts |
| Mobile homes | 9.3% | 7.8% | +1.5 pts |
| Owners | 66% | 66% | +0.3 pts |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 26% | -0.3 pts |
High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Paychecks and income spread in Polk County
Median household income in Polk County: $58,515 (24% below Georgia, $77,353). Only 77 Georgia counties post a higher median.
| Band | Polk County | Compared with Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.3% | +8.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.0% | +4.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.6% | -5.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.1% | -6.7 pts |
30% under $35,000 and 26% at $100,000 or more: that is the Polk County income split. Poverty rate, Polk County: 16.4%; Georgia: 13.4%. Polk County scores 0.436 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. For a borrower in Polk County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Labor force snapshot: Polk County
Education and health care (21%), manufacturing (20%) and professional and administrative services (9%) lead Polk County's job mix. Compared with Georgia, the county leans toward manufacturing (20% against 10%). Unemployment in Polk County, ACS five-year: 5.9%; Georgia: 5.1%. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 27%; under 15 minutes: 28%. 5.0% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Polk County workers | vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.8% | -0.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.8% | +9.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.3% | -4.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.0% | -2.3 pts |
| Construction | 8.3% | +1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.2% | -0.3 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Polk County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Where Polk County differs from the rest of Georgia
Out of every Georgia county, Polk County is most unusual on these measures.
- Polk County ranks 27th highest of 159 Georgia counties for the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 27%, against 20% statewide. Long drives make car repairs a common emergency; get two written quotes.
- Few Georgia counties match Polk County on the housing vacancy rate: 8% here, 10% for the state, ranking 30th lowest of 159. Few vacant units can mean a tight housing market.
- On the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent, Polk County sits near the top of Georgia at 54%, 29th highest of 159. Make sure a consolidation loan lowers what you pay each month.
Cedartown and the rest of Polk County
Places, by size: the top 4 of 4. Roughly 58% of Polk County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Incomes vary by place: $67,500 at the median in Aragon, $34,754 in Cedartown. Median rent ranges from $896 in Cedartown to $986 in Rockmart. From Cedartown to the smallest crossroads, Polk County residents share this guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedartown | city | 10,227 | $34,754 | $896 | 4 mi |
| Rockmart | city | 5,204 | $56,828 | $986 | 8 mi |
| Aragon | city | 2,536 | $67,500 | $985 | 8 mi |
| Taylorsville | town | 335 | $41,042 | $1,219 | 13 mi |
Regional comparison for Polk County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (14 to 29 miles). Income ranges from $53,863 in Cherokee County to $98,031 in Paulding County; 4 of these neighbors top Polk County's median. Some neighbors are in Alabama. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Polk County resident follows Georgia rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County | - | $58,515 | $918/mo | 66% |
| Haralson County, GA | 14 mi | $72,127 | $923/mo | 72% |
| Floyd County, GA | 19 mi | $65,565 | $1,014/mo | 64% |
| Paulding County, GA | 19 mi | $98,031 | $1,772/mo | 81% |
| Bartow County, GA | 26 mi | $82,243 | $1,268/mo | 73% |
| Cherokee County, AL | 27 mi | $53,863 | $762/mo | 81% |
| Cleburne County, AL | 29 mi | $55,345 | $798/mo | 79% |
What the numbers mean for Polk County borrowers
Polk County-specific points to check:
- Medical bills. 12% of Polk County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Vehicle repairs. 27% of Polk County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- 54% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Polk County demographics against Georgia
15% of Polk County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 12% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Polk County | Gap to Georgia | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.0 | +0.4 yrs | -3.5 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.4% | -19.5 pts | -6.7 pts |
| No high school diploma | 15.5% | +4.8 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.0% | -0.4 pts | +4.1 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.0% | -0.9 pts | -0.5 pts |
| Work from home | 4.4% | -11.5 pts | -4.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 16.4% | +3.0 pts | +3.2 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.9% | +0.8 pts | +1.5 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.5% |
| 60+ min | 13.7% |
Budget math at the Polk County median
How much room does a median Polk County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $58,515 a year is $4,876 of gross monthly income
- 19% goes to median rent ($918)
- Under a 40% cap, $1,950 total minus rent leaves $1,032
Two-income households and single earners in Polk County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Verifying a lender from Polk County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Polk County resident can confirm its license with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Georgia guide covers state rules in more detail.
Checklist for Polk County applicants
Steps that save money for Polk County residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
More guides for Polk County
For statewide rules and data, see the Georgia guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Polk County earn?
The median is $58,515; 26% earn $100,000 or more and 30% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Polk County rent compare with Georgia?
$918 locally versus $1,393 for the state, 34% below.
How many towns are in Polk County?
The Census Bureau counts 4 places mainly in the county, led by Cedartown, Rockmart, Aragon, Taylorsville.
Is the fit check different in Polk County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who regulates personal lenders for Polk County residents?
The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance licenses consumer lenders in Georgia; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.