1st Advantage MortgageAbout 71% of Polk County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $73,107. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Polk County by the numbers
- Polk County housing compared with Minnesota
- Income in Polk County compared with Minnesota
- The Polk County job picture
- Polk County and the counties next door
- Polk County towns compared
- Room for a loan payment in Polk County
- What the numbers mean for Polk County borrowers
- Who lives in Polk County, in numbers
- Lender oversight for Polk County
- Steps before you apply in Polk County
- More guides for Polk County
- Frequently asked questions
Polk County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Polk County's population at 30,705; only 34 of Minnesota's 87 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 1,971 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 16 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 15 Census places inside Polk County, East Grand Forks leads by population with about 9,028; 15 of the 15 are incorporated.
Polk County housing compared with Minnesota
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $855 in Polk County versus $1,280 statewide. 55% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 27% spend half or more. With a median value of $222,800, a typical Polk County house costs 3.0 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 71% of homes. The median home was built in 1971, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Housing | Polk County | Minnesota statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $855/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $222,800 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.4% | 2.9% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Income in Polk County compared with Minnesota
Polk County households have a median income of $73,107 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 47th of 87 in Minnesota.
| Band | Polk County | Compared with Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.7% | +7.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.0% | +0.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.6% | -1.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.7% | -7.1 pts |
Some 25% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 36% have six-figure incomes. 11.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.3%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.434 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Polk County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
The Polk County job picture
Education and health care employs 30% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 12%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 7% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Polk County averages 3.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.1%). About 78% drive to work alone and 11% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Polk County | Gap to Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 30.0% | +4.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.5% | +0.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.3% | -4.1 pts |
| Construction | 8.2% | +1.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.2% | -3.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 6.6% | +4.5 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Polk County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Polk County's, from 16 to 42 miles away. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Polk County; Traill County is highest at $87,004 and Mahnomen County lowest at $59,441. Some neighbors are in North Dakota. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Polk County resident follows Minnesota rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County | - | $73,107 | $855/mo | 71% |
| Red Lake County, MN | 16 mi | $77,188 | $583/mo | 83% |
| Pennington County, MN | 26 mi | $77,325 | $862/mo | 72% |
| Norman County, MN | 31 mi | $72,260 | $774/mo | 79% |
| Marshall County, MN | 41 mi | $72,543 | $690/mo | 83% |
| Mahnomen County, MN | 41 mi | $59,441 | $696/mo | 73% |
| Traill County, ND | 42 mi | $87,004 | $717/mo | 74% |
Polk County towns compared
The table lists the 14 largest of 15 Census places in Polk County, by population. Together all 15 hold about 21,002 people, so roughly 32% of residents live outside any named place. East Grand Forks has the highest median household income on the list ($77,549) and Fosston the lowest ($52,500), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $591 in McIntosh to $888 in East Grand Forks. No Polk County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 15.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Grand Forks | city | 9,028 | $77,549 | $888 | 30 mi |
| Crookston | city | 7,344 | $57,315 | $848 | 10 mi |
| Fosston | city | 1,374 | $52,500 | $790 | 33 mi |
| McIntosh | city | 847 | $56,944 | $591 | 26 mi |
| Fertile | city | 803 | $67,125 | $823 | 18 mi |
| Erskine | city | 427 | $44,844 | $825 | 19 mi |
| Fisher | city | 396 | $93,542 | $956 | 19 mi |
| Climax | city | 209 | $50,500 | $825 | 22 mi |
| Winger | city | 157 | $48,229 | n/a | 25 mi |
| Mentor | city | 131 | $41,667 | $675 | 13 mi |
| Nielsville | city | 102 | $32,500 | n/a | 26 mi |
| Beltrami | city | 72 | $78,125 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Gully | city | 53 | $40,735 | $1,163 | 36 mi |
| Lengby | city | 43 | $50,833 | n/a | 40 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Polk County
Polk County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $6,092 gross per month ($73,107 / 12)
- Less median rent of $855, which is 14% of it
- Under a 43% cap, $2,620 total minus rent leaves $1,765
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
What the numbers mean for Polk County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Polk County borrowers.
- 55% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Who lives in Polk County, in numbers
College graduates make up 28% of the adult population. About 6% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Polk County | Minnesota | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.8 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 28.0% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.2% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.8% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.4% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.8% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.9% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 51.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.5% |
| 60+ min | 5.0% |
Lender oversight for Polk County
Polk County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Minnesota guide covers state rules in more detail.
Steps before you apply in Polk County
Quick steps for Polk County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
More guides for Polk County
The Minnesota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Polk County a high-income county?
Its $73,107 median ranks 47th of 87 Minnesota counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Polk County rent compare with Minnesota?
$855 locally versus $1,280 for the state, 33% below.
Should Polk County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 71% 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.
Which towns does the Polk County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 15 Census places: East Grand Forks, Crookston, Fosston, McIntosh, Fertile.
Will a Polk County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Minnesota as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.