1st Advantage MortgageAbout 79% of Polk County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $69,768. 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
- Polk County by the numbers
- How Polk County residents earn a living
- Household income in Polk County
- Polk County housing compared with Nebraska
- The communities that make up Polk County
- Counties near Polk County
- Polk County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in Polk County
- Budget math at the Polk County median
- Lender oversight for Polk County
- Four steps for Polk County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Polk County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Polk County's population at 5,225; only 53 of Nebraska's 93 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 439 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 12 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Polk County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 4 Census places inside Polk County, Stromsburg leads by population with about 1,074; 4 of the 4 are incorporated. Because Polk County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
How Polk County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Polk County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 18% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (17%). The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 17% locally and 4% for Nebraska. Averaged over the five survey years, 1.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 9% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 12% work from home.
| Top industries | Polk County share | +/- vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 18.4% | -6.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 17.1% | +12.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.7% | +2.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.1% | -0.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.1% | +2.1 pts |
| Other services | 6.4% | +1.7 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Household income in Polk County
Polk County households have a median income of $69,768 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 41st of 93 in Nebraska.
| Yearly household income | Polk County | Gap to Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.1% | -2.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.9% | +6.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.3% | -0.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.8% | -3.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 33% of Polk County households make $100,000 or more, and 18% make less than $35,000. 7.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.401 (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.
Polk County housing compared with Nebraska
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $681 in Polk County versus $1,072 statewide. 28% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 11% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $189,900, about 2.7 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 79%. The median home was built in 1960, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Cost | Polk County | Nebraska figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $681/mo | $1,072/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $189,900 | $238,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 28% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 6.0% | 2.9% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
The communities that make up Polk County
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in Polk County, by population. Together all 4 hold about 3,005 people, so roughly 42% of residents live outside any named place. Osceola has the highest median household income on the list ($81,250) and Stromsburg the lowest ($58,988), counting places with at least 500 residents. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stromsburg | city | 1,074 | $58,988 | $846 | 5 mi |
| Osceola | city | 896 | $81,250 | $489 | 1 mi |
| Shelby | village | 684 | $72,955 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Polk | village | 351 | $55,000 | n/a | 14 mi |
Counties near Polk County
Six nearby counties, 22 to 31 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $65,179 in Nance County to $82,444 in Seward County; 4 of these neighbors top Polk County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County | - | $69,768 | $681/mo | 79% |
| York County, NE | 22 mi | $77,757 | $877/mo | 76% |
| Butler County, NE | 23 mi | $79,268 | $776/mo | 80% |
| Merrick County, NE | 24 mi | $68,354 | $750/mo | 82% |
| Nance County, NE | 26 mi | $65,179 | $807/mo | 73% |
| Platte County, NE | 27 mi | $71,552 | $897/mo | 72% |
| Seward County, NE | 31 mi | $82,444 | $980/mo | 72% |
Polk County households compared
20% of Polk County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 5.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Polk County | Nebraska | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.4 | 37.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.0% | 34.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.0% | 7.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.5% | 7.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.1% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.7% | 11.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.9% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.3% | 3.0% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Polk County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 40.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.2% |
| 60+ min | 2.8% |
Borrowing situations common in Polk County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Polk County borrowers.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Polk County borrower sees (free reports).
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.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,814 before taxes
- Less median rent of $681, which is 12% of it
- Under a 36% cap, $2,093 total minus rent leaves $1,412
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,819 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Lender oversight for Polk County
The Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance is the place to verify any lender's Nebraska license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Nebraska guide.
Four steps for Polk County borrowers
Quick steps for Polk County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Nebraska guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Polk County earn?
The median is $69,768; 33% earn $100,000 or more and 18% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Polk County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $681 against $1,072 statewide, and 28% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Polk County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 79% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Polk County?
By population: Stromsburg, Osceola, Shelby, Polk. The county has 4 Census places in all.
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.