1st Advantage MortgageAbout 78% of Polk County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $62,259. 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, TX: the basics
- Income in Polk County compared with Texas
- The Polk County job picture
- What it costs to live in Polk County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Polk County
- How Polk County compares with nearby counties
- What a median Polk County budget can carry
- Polk County households compared
- Local borrowing considerations for Polk County
- Who licenses lenders for Polk County residents
- Steps before you apply in Polk County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Polk County, TX: the basics
With an estimated 52,800 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Polk County ranks 66th of 254 in Texas for population. Spread over 1,057 square miles, that works out to roughly 50.0 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 10 Census places inside Polk County, West Livingston leads by population with about 8,199; 5 of the 10 are incorporated.
Income in Polk County compared with Texas
At $62,259, the typical Polk County household income is 5% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Income band | Share in Polk County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.6% | +7.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.7% | +2.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.8% | -1.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.9% | -7.6 pts |
Some 29% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 30% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 17.5%, 4 points higher than the state's 13.8%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.436 here. 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 23% of working residents, the largest share; construction is next with 10%. Compared with Texas, the county leans toward public administration (8% against 4%). Averaged over the five survey years, 8.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 22% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. Only 3.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Polk County | Gap to Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.5% | +1.9 pts |
| Construction | 10.2% | +1.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.2% | -0.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.5% | -3.4 pts |
| Public administration | 7.7% | +3.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.6% | -0.9 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 it costs to live in Polk County
A typical Polk County rental runs $987 a month including utilities, which is 30% below Texas. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 46% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $184,800, about 3.0 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 78%.
| Cost | Polk County | Texas figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $987/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $184,800 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 24.2% | 6.4% | 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).
Cities, towns and CDPs in Polk County
10 Census places fall mainly inside Polk County; the 10 biggest are below. They account for 22,044 residents, leaving about 58% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $37,700 in Corrigan to $61,943 in West Livingston. Median rent ranges from $431 in Corrigan to $1,212 in West Livingston. None of the 10 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Livingston | CDP | 8,199 | $61,943 | $1,212 | 12 mi |
| Livingston | town | 5,718 | $48,841 | $1,104 | 8 mi |
| Onalaska | city | 3,210 | $51,912 | $1,083 | 16 mi |
| Corrigan | town | 1,784 | $37,700 | $431 | 15 mi |
| Indian Springs | CDP | 938 | $49,896 | $929 | 9 mi |
| Pleasant Hill | CDP | 830 | $53,237 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Big Thicket Lake Estates | CDP | 596 | n/a | n/a | 21 mi |
| Cedar Point | CDP | 328 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
| Goodrich | city | 323 | $30,938 | $1,390 | 14 mi |
| Seven Oaks | city | 118 | $60,733 | n/a | 5 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
How Polk County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 24 to 43 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $52,018 in Trinity County to $75,808 in Hardin County; 3 of these neighbors top Polk County's median.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County | - | $62,259 | $987/mo | 78% |
| San Jacinto County, TX | 24 mi | $65,364 | $1,060/mo | 85% |
| Tyler County, TX | 27 mi | $55,396 | $1,049/mo | 81% |
| Trinity County, TX | 28 mi | $52,018 | $856/mo | 79% |
| Angelina County, TX | 35 mi | $60,960 | $1,076/mo | 64% |
| Hardin County, TX | 41 mi | $75,808 | $1,049/mo | 82% |
| Liberty County, TX | 43 mi | $68,703 | $1,044/mo | 82% |
What a median Polk County budget can carry
Here is the Polk County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $5,188 gross per month ($62,259 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $987 uses 19%
- $881: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- $1,244: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Polk County households compared
Degree holders: 16% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 14.4%, against 17.1% for Texas.
| Indicator | Polk County | All of Texas | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.0 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.2% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.5% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.4% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.8% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.4% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.5% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.1% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Polk County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.8% |
| 60+ min | 17.4% |
Local borrowing considerations for Polk County
Where the Polk County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Medical bills. 14% of Polk County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Vehicle repairs. 22% of Polk County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Manufactured homes. 24% of Polk County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Renters under pressure. When 46% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Who licenses lenders for Polk County residents
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Polk County borrowers answers to the Texas Department of Banking. Texas also has the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner for consumer credit. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Texas guide.
Steps before you apply in Polk County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A Texas license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Texas guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Polk County a high-income county?
Its $62,259 median ranks 142nd of 254 Texas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Polk County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $987 a month; 46% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
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 78% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover West Livingston?
Yes, along with the other 9 Census places in Polk County, such as Livingston, Onalaska, Corrigan.
Can Polk County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Texas county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.