1st Advantage MortgageIn Polk County, Oregon, the typical household earns $85,118 a year and the typical rent is $1,299. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Oregon before sharing details.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Polk County
- What Polk County households earn
- The Polk County job picture
- What it costs to live in Polk County
- Towns and communities in Polk County
- Counties near Polk County
- Debt-to-income at Polk County's medians
- Local borrowing considerations for Polk County
- People and households in Polk County
- A Polk County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in Oregon
- More guides for Polk County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Polk County
Roughly 89,662 residents live in Polk County, Oregon, 12th by population among the state's 36 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 741 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 121 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Salem, OR metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Salem is the biggest of its 10 Census places, at roughly 178,865 people (199% of the county total).
What Polk County households earn
Half of Polk County households take in less than $85,118 a year and half take in more, 3% above the Oregon median of $83,011.
| Band | Polk County | Compared with Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.8% | -0.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.1% | -1.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.8% | +3.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.3% | -1.4 pts |
About 20% of households earn under $35,000, while 43% clear $100,000. Census counts 12.7% of Polk County residents in poverty, against 11.9% across Oregon. 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
Education and health care employs 28% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 13%. Public administration stands out: 10% of workers here, versus 5% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Polk County averages 5.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.4%). 15% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 17% work from home.
| Where residents work | Polk County | Difference from Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.1% | +4.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.5% | +0.7 pts |
| Public administration | 9.8% | +5.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.2% | -3.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.5% | -1.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.3% | -3.4 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
What it costs to live in Polk County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,299 in Polk County versus $1,525 statewide. By the Census definition, 52% of Polk County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $454,700, about 5.3 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 65%. Median construction year: 1990.
| Cost | Polk County | Oregon figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,299/mo | $1,525/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $454,700 | $477,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 65% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 31% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 6.2% | 7.1% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 5% | 8% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Towns and communities in Polk County
10 Census places fall mainly inside Polk County; the 10 biggest are below. They account for 223,162 residents, leaving about 0% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $51,250 in Falls City to $85,375 in Independence. Rent is cheapest in Grand Ronde ($775) and steepest in Independence ($1,665). None of the 10 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | city | 178,865 | $75,487 | $1,400 | 18 mi |
| Dallas | city | 17,531 | $71,549 | $1,209 | 4 mi |
| Monmouth | city | 11,428 | $69,170 | $1,114 | 9 mi |
| Independence | city | 10,199 | $85,375 | $1,665 | 10 mi |
| Willamina | city | 2,193 | $58,906 | $1,170 | 13 mi |
| Grand Ronde | CDP | 1,549 | $52,669 | $775 | 16 mi |
| Falls City | city | 1,222 | $51,250 | $1,095 | 3 mi |
| Fort Hill | CDP | 123 | $19,418 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Rickreall | CDP | 52 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Eola | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Counties near Polk County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (24 to 47 miles). Washington County leads the group on income ($107,772), Lincoln County trails ($63,165), and Polk County out-earns 4 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County | - | $85,118 | $1,299/mo | 65% |
| Yamhill County, OR | 24 mi | $90,063 | $1,480/mo | 69% |
| Benton County, OR | 28 mi | $77,702 | $1,410/mo | 57% |
| Lincoln County, OR | 31 mi | $63,165 | $1,201/mo | 72% |
| Marion County, OR | 40 mi | $77,351 | $1,414/mo | 62% |
| Tillamook County, OR | 42 mi | $69,105 | $1,246/mo | 74% |
| Washington County, OR | 47 mi | $107,772 | $1,849/mo | 61% |
Debt-to-income at Polk County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Polk County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $85,118 a year is $7,093 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $1,299 uses 18%
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,255 left for all other debt payments
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,751 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Local borrowing considerations for Polk County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Polk County borrowers.
- Consolidation math. With 43% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
- Rent squeeze. 52% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
People and households in Polk County
College graduates make up 31% of the adult population. 4.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Polk County | Oregon | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.8 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.2% | 36.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.3% | 8.2% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.9% | 5.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 17.5% | 19.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.7% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.7% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Polk County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 28.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.5% |
| 60+ min | 8.4% |
A Polk County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Polk County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Oregon borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Checking a lender's license in Oregon
Consumer lenders serving Polk County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Oregon that is the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Oregon guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Polk County
For statewide rules and data, see the Oregon guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Polk County earn?
The median is $85,118; 43% earn $100,000 or more and 20% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Polk County?
$1,299 a month at the median, about 18% of median household income.
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 Salem, Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Willamina and 5 more.
Is the fit check different in Polk County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Polk County?
Start with the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.