1st Advantage MortgageIn Polk County, Tennessee, the typical household earns $62,522 a year and the typical rent is $676. 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 in brief
- Renting and owning in Polk County
- How Polk County residents earn a living
- What Polk County households earn
- Polk County at the extremes
- Counties near Polk County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Polk County
- Age, degrees and coverage in Polk County
- Before borrowing in Polk County
- Debt-to-income at Polk County's medians
- Checking a lender's license in Tennessee
- Steps before you apply in Polk County
- More guides for Polk County
- Frequently asked questions
Polk County in brief
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Polk County's population at 17,898; only 70 of Tennessee's 95 county-level areas are larger. Its 435 square miles average 41 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Cleveland, TN metropolitan area. Largest place: Benton, about 1,560 residents (9% of Polk County); 7 Census places in all.
Renting and owning in Polk County
Renters in Polk County pay a median of $676 a month, 43% below the Tennessee figure of $1,189. About 5 in 10 Polk County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Home values center on $169,900, or 2.7 years of median income. The ownership rate is 84%. Median construction year: 1988. Against the median U.S. county, Polk County rent is 23% below.
| Housing | Polk County | Tennessee statewide | Polk County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 84% | 67% | +16.7 pts |
| Mobile homes | 21.6% | 8.1% | +13.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 18% | 25% | -6.2 pts |
| Median gross rent | $676/mo | $1,189/mo | 43% lower |
| Median home value | $169,900 | $286,700 | 41% lower |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 49% | +0.4 pts |
In an owner-heavy county like Polk County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
How Polk County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Polk County residents work in education and health care and 18% in manufacturing. Compared with Tennessee, the county leans toward manufacturing (18% against 13%). Averaged over the five survey years, 5.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 21%; under 15 minutes: 15%. 4.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Polk County share | +/- vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.8% | +0.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.5% | +5.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.9% | -0.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.9% | -1.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.3% | +1.1 pts |
| Construction | 7.7% | +0.6 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
What Polk County households earn
Median household income in Polk County: $62,522 (10% below Tennessee, $69,595). That places it 36th among Tennessee's 95 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Polk County | Gap to Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.7% | +7.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.2% | -2.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.9% | -3.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.2% | -1.8 pts |
Some 32% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 28% have six-figure incomes. Polk County counts about 2,496 residents below the poverty line, 13.9% of the population. None of these numbers decides a Polk County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Polk County at the extremes
Ranked against the other 94 county-level areas in Tennessee, these are the Polk County figures furthest from the middle.
- Polk County ranks 4th highest of 95 Tennessee counties for the uninsured rate: 14.9%, against 10.0% statewide. Ask any provider about financial assistance before borrowing for care.
- On homeownership, Polk County sits near the top of Tennessee at 84%, 4th highest of 95. Most households here own, so home equity is often an alternative to weigh.
- Few Tennessee counties match Polk County on median gross rent: $676/mo here, $1,189/mo for the state, ranking 8th lowest of 95. Lower rent can leave more room for a payment.
- Polk County ranks 12th highest of 95 Tennessee counties for median age: 46.9, against 38.9 statewide. Older borrowers often rely on fixed incomes, so a fixed payment helps.
Counties near Polk County
Bradley County is closest, 18 miles from center to center; the sixth, Monroe County, is 29 miles off. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Polk County; Murray County is highest at $69,253 and Cherokee County lowest at $53,628. Some neighbors are in Georgia and North Carolina. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Polk County resident follows Tennessee rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County | - | $62,522 | $676/mo | 84% |
| Bradley County, TN | 18 mi | $66,552 | $1,030/mo | 67% |
| Fannin County, GA | 21 mi | $57,073 | $900/mo | 79% |
| McMinn County, TN | 22 mi | $61,470 | $803/mo | 76% |
| Murray County, GA | 24 mi | $69,253 | $857/mo | 74% |
| Cherokee County, NC | 27 mi | $53,628 | $813/mo | 84% |
| Monroe County, TN | 29 mi | $56,895 | $714/mo | 72% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Polk County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Polk County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 3,880 residents, leaving about 78% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Benton and every other Polk County community use this county guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benton | town | 1,560 | $29,414 | $472 | 8 mi |
| Delano | CDP | 838 | $121,250 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Copperhill | city | 493 | $45,417 | $863 | 11 mi |
| Ducktown | city | 456 | n/a | $577 | 10 mi |
| Ocoee | CDP | 208 | $181,250 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Farner | CDP | 197 | $29,464 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Conasauga | CDP | 128 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Age, degrees and coverage in Polk County
In Polk County, 17% of adults have at least a four-year degree (31% in Tennessee). Health coverage gaps: 14.9% of Polk County residents are uninsured.
| Residents | Polk County | Difference from Tennessee | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.6% | -14.5 pts | -5.6 pts |
| Median age | 46.9 | +8.0 yrs | +5.4 yrs |
| No health insurance | 14.9% | +4.9 pts | +7.1 pts |
| Work from home | 8.3% | -4.5 pts | -0.3 pts |
| No high school diploma | 13.5% | +3.5 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.3% | +0.6 pts | +0.9 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.6% | -0.6 pts | -0.8 pts |
| Poverty rate | 13.9% | +0.2 pts | +0.8 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Polk County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 14.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 31.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.1% |
| 60+ min | 10.3% |
Before borrowing in Polk County
Where the Polk County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Uninsured care. 15% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Long drives. With 21% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Polk County budgets.
- Mobile home upkeep. 22% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Fixed incomes. Polk County's median age is 46.9. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
Debt-to-income at Polk County's medians
Polk County's $62,522 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- Start: $5,210 gross per month ($62,522 / 12)
- Median rent: $676, or 13 cents of every gross dollar
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,564 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Checking a lender's license in Tennessee
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Polk County borrowers answers to the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on Tennessee: Tennessee personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Polk County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Polk County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- A Tennessee license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
More guides for Polk County
Next step up from Polk County:
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Polk County household make?
About $62,522 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 10% below the Tennessee median.
Is Polk County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $676 against $1,189 statewide, and 49% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Polk County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 84% 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 7 Census places: Benton, Delano, Copperhill, Ducktown, Ocoee.
Is the fit check different in Polk County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.