1st Advantage MortgageThe median Polk County household earns $77,219, and 8% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- A quick profile of Polk County
- The Polk County job picture
- Paychecks and income spread in Polk County
- Housing costs in Polk County
- Places inside Polk County
- Regional comparison for Polk County
- Debt-to-income at Polk County's medians
- Borrowing situations common in Polk County
- People and households in Polk County
- Before you sign
- Who licenses lenders for Polk County residents
- More guides for Polk County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Polk County
Polk County is home to about 45,555 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 32nd most populous of 72 county-level areas in Wisconsin. Land area is 914 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 50 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Polk County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 12 Census places inside Polk County, Amery leads by population with about 2,959; 11 of the 12 are incorporated.
The Polk County job picture
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Polk County residents work in manufacturing and 21% in education and health care. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 23% locally and 18% for Wisconsin. The survey's unemployment rate for Polk County averages 3.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.2%). 24% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 12% work from home.
| Top industries | Polk County share | +/- vs Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 23.2% | +5.4 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.8% | -2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.5% | -0.6 pts |
| Construction | 10.0% | +3.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.0% | -3.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.0% | -1.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Paychecks and income spread in Polk County
Polk County households have a median income of $77,219 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 20th of 72 in Wisconsin.
| Households earning | Polk County | +/- vs Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.3% | -1.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.3% | +4.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.0% | -0.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.4% | -1.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 35% of Polk County households make $100,000 or more, and 18% make less than $35,000. Census counts 8.2% of Polk County residents in poverty, against 10.6% across Wisconsin. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.408 here. None of these numbers decides a Polk County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Housing costs in Polk County
Renters in Polk County pay a median of $957 a month, 12% below the Wisconsin figure of $1,087. By the Census definition, 37% of Polk County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $271,900, a typical Polk County house costs 3.5 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 81% of homes. The median year built is 1981.
| Housing | Polk County | Wisconsin statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $957/mo | $1,087/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $271,900 | $266,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 37% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 6.8% | 3.1% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 20% | 11% | 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).
Places inside Polk County
Here are the 12 most populous of the county's 12 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 34% of Polk County residents live in one of the 12. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $42,083 in Milltown to $80,114 in Dresser. Live in one of these Polk County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amery | city | 2,959 | $59,219 | $1,154 | 12 mi |
| Osceola | village | 2,849 | $53,361 | $946 | 16 mi |
| St. Croix Falls | city | 2,423 | $65,300 | $914 | 9 mi |
| Frederic | village | 1,140 | $52,800 | $766 | 13 mi |
| Luck | village | 1,124 | $68,606 | $931 | 8 mi |
| Dresser | village | 1,028 | $80,114 | $1,068 | 11 mi |
| Clear Lake | village | 957 | $74,000 | $878 | 17 mi |
| Milltown | village | 861 | $42,083 | $715 | 5 mi |
| Centuria | village | 806 | $49,821 | $860 | 5 mi |
| Balsam Lake | village | 754 | $52,011 | $975 | 0 mi |
| Clayton | village | 370 | $58,750 | $817 | 17 mi |
| Lewis | CDP | 170 | $111,667 | n/a | 18 mi |
Regional comparison for Polk County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Polk County's, from 22 to 41 miles away. Washington County leads the group on income ($115,345), Burnett County trails ($62,819), and Polk County out-earns 2 of the six. The list crosses into Minnesota, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County | - | $77,219 | $957/mo | 81% |
| Chisago County, MN | 22 mi | $99,400 | $1,186/mo | 86% |
| Burnett County, WI | 28 mi | $62,819 | $771/mo | 86% |
| Barron County, WI | 29 mi | $65,933 | $879/mo | 77% |
| St. Croix County, WI | 30 mi | $103,046 | $1,271/mo | 78% |
| Washington County, MN | 36 mi | $115,345 | $1,710/mo | 81% |
| Anoka County, MN | 41 mi | $101,869 | $1,464/mo | 80% |
Debt-to-income at Polk County's medians
Here is the Polk County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $77,219 a year is $6,435 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $957, or 15 cents of every gross dollar
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,360 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Polk County's.
Borrowing situations common in Polk County
A few patterns in the Polk County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Commuter costs. 24% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Fixed incomes. Polk County's median age is 46.7. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
People and households in Polk County
Degree holders: 24% of adults over 25. 6.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| Polk County | Wisconsin | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.7 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.3% | 33.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.9% | 6.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.2% | 5.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.7% | 6.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.8% | 13.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.2% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | 3.2% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Polk County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 30.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.6% |
| 60+ min | 13.9% |
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Polk County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Who licenses lenders for Polk County residents
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Wisconsin license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Wisconsin guide.
More guides for Polk County
The Wisconsin guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Polk County household make?
About $77,219 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24).
What do renters pay in Polk County?
$957 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
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 81% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Polk County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 12 Census places: Amery, Osceola, St. Croix Falls, Frederic, Luck.
Will a Polk County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Wisconsin as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.