Polk County, MO

County

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2021 Population

31,541

1.53% 1-year decline

US Senator

Josh Hawley

Republican Party

US Senator

Eric Schmitt

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

38.2

0.262% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

15.9%

0.897% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$50,890

6.88% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$146,300

3.32% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

14,007

2.75% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Polk County, MO had a population of 31.5k people with a median age of 38.2 and a median household income of $50,890. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Polk County, MO declined from 32,031 to 31,541, a −1.53% decrease and its median household income grew from $47,614 to $50,890, a 6.88% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, MO are White (Non-Hispanic) (92.7%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.26%), Two+ (Hispanic) (1.47%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (1.28%), and White (Hispanic) (0.583%).

None of the households in Polk County, MO reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99.6% of the residents in Polk County, MO are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Polk County, MO are Southwest Baptist University (767 degrees awarded in 2021) and Bolivar Technical College (64 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Polk County, MO was $146,300, and the homeownership rate was 71.1%.

Most people in Polk County, MO drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Polk County, MO was 2 cars per household.

Polk County, MO borders Cedar County, MO, Dade County, MO, Dallas County, MO, Greene County, MO, Hickory County, MO, and St. Clair County, MO.

United States Missouri Springfield, MO

Population & Diversity

Polk County, MO is home to a population of 31.5k people, from which 99.6% are citizens. As of 2021, 1.07% of Polk County, MO residents were born outside of the country (339 people).

In 2021, there were 41 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (29.2k people) in Polk County, MO than any other race or ethnicity. There were 713 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 464 Two+ (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.6%

2021 Citizenship

99.6%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 99.6% of Polk County, MO residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Polk County, MO was 99.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Polk County, MO compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Polk County, MO

White (Non-Hispanic)
29.2k ± 120
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
713 ± 136
Two+ (Hispanic)
464 ± 256

2.66%

Hispanic Population

838 people

2.66% of the people in Polk County, MO are hispanic (838 people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Polk County, MO as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Missouri.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
38,663 ± 4,812 people
India
21,758 ± 3,615 people
China
18,328 ± 3,319 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Missouri was Mexico, the natal country of 38,663 Missouri residents, followed by India with 21,758 and China with 18,328.

Foreign-Born Population

1.07%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

339 people

1.11%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

354 people

As of 2021, 1.07% of Polk County, MO residents (339 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Polk County, MO was 1.11%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Polk County, MO compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
643 ± 148
Gulf War (1990s)
320 ± 118
Gulf War (2001-)
309 ± 192

Polk County, MO has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.01 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Polk County, MO employs 14k people. The largest industries in Polk County, MO are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,366 people), Manufacturing (1,674 people), and Educational Services (1,631 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($89,609), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($65,987), and Finance & Insurance ($64,792).

Males in Missouri have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $51,079. The income inequality in Missouri (measured using the Gini index) is 0.457, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

14k

2021 Value

± 871

−2.75%

1 Year decline

± 9%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Polk County, MO declined at a rate of −2.75%, from 14.4k employees to 14k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Polk County, MO, are Management Occupations (1,709 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,475 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (1,385 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Polk County, MO.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Missouri (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

14k

2021 Value

± 871

−2.75%

1 Year decline

± 9%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Polk County, MO declined at a rate of −2.75%, from 14.4k employees to 14k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Polk County, MO, are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,366 people), Manufacturing (1,674 people), and Educational Services (1,631 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Polk County, MO, though some of these residents may live in Polk County, MO and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$36,766

Median earning men ± $3,024

$25,161

Median earning women ± $2,007

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($64,583), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($54,648), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($51,056).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($52,171), Public Administration ($48,462), and Manufacturing ($44,261).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Missouri. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Missouri.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

243
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
126
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
123
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$69k
Wholesale Trade
$58.1k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$40.8k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Missouri to other states, or from other states to Missouri.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Missouri product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $32.3B, followed by Mixed freight ($30.8B) and Pharmaceuticals ($30.3B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Missouri products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Missouri.

$303B

2020 Value in Missouri

$614B

Projected 2050 Value in Missouri

103% growth

In 2020, total outbound Missouri trade was $303B. This is expected to increase 103% to $614B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Missouri trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Missouri to other states, or from other states to Missouri.

Most Common Trade Partners

Illinois
$24.9B
Kansas
$14.6B
Texas
$14.6B

In 2020, the top outbound Missouri domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $24.9B, followed by Kansas with $14.6B and Texas and $14.6B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Missouri shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Polk County, MO went to Donald J. Trump with 78.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (19.2%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.85%).

Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt are the senators currently representing the state of Missouri. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Missouri is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (78.7%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (19.2%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.85%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Polk County, MO went to Donald J. Trump with 78.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (19.2%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.85%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Polk County, MO for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Missouri

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Missouri.

Josh Hawley

Senator from Missouri

Assumed office on January 3, 2019

Eric Schmitt

Senator from Missouri

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt are the senators currently representing Missouri.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Missouri over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Missouri

Missouri is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Missouri have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Polk County, MO awarded 831 degrees. The student population of Polk County, MO in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 995 male students and 1,848 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Polk County, MO are White (701 and 86%), followed by Unknown (44 and 5.4%), Black or African American (25 and 3.07%), and Hispanic or Latino (22 and 2.7%).

The largest universities in Polk County, MO by number of degrees awarded are Southwest Baptist University (767 and 92.3%) and Bolivar Technical College (64 and 7.7%).

The most popular majors in Polk County, MO are Registered Nursing (243 and 29.2%), Physical Therapy (77 and 9.27%), and General Education (75 and 9.03%).

The median tuition cost in Polk County, MO for private four year colleges is $25,100.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Polk County, MO, the percentage of applicants admitted was 96.3%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 36.5%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 2,843 (35% men and 65% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 2,843 students enrolled in Polk County, MO, 35% men and 65% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,885 records, of which 69.2% were women and 30.8% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
29 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
68 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
29 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Polk County, MO was General Business Administration & Management with 29 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Polk County, MO according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Southwest Baptist University
767 degrees awarded
Bolivar Technical College
64 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Southwest Baptist University with 767 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 229 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Polk County, MO, which is 0.38 times less than the 602 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 701 degrees mean that there were 15.9 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 44 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($25,100) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 2-year ($4,620) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 2-year ($3,280) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Missouri.

Measure

In 2021, 0.644% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.544% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Missouri.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.47M), Some college (1.12M), and Bachelors Degree (844k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Polk County, MO was $146,300 in 2021, which is 0.597 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $141,600 to $146,300, a 3.32% increase. The homeownership rate in Polk County, MO is 71.1%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Polk County, MO have an average commute time of 26.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Polk County, MO is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2022, 13.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Polk County, MO. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.07%.

Housing

Property

$146,300

Median Property Value 2021

±$8,925

$8,273

Median Property Taxes

±$652

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Polk County, MO the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Polk County, MO compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

71.1%

Homeownership

2021

68.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 71.1% of the housing units in Polk County, MO were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 68.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Polk County, MO compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

The following map shows all of the tracts in Polk County, MO colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$50,890

Median Household Income

± $3,932

11.6k

Number of Households

± 773

In 2021, the median household income of the 11.6k households in Polk County, MO grew to $50,890 from the previous year's value of $47,614.

The following chart displays the households in Polk County, MO distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $60k - $75k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Polk County, MO is from Missouri.

0.457

2021 Wage GINI in Missouri

0.457

2020 Wage GINI in Missouri

In 2021, the income inequality in Missouri was 0.457 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0667% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Missouri was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Missouri in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Missouri across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (80.8%)
Carpooled (8.74%)
Worked At Home (5.95%)

In 2021, 80.8% of workers in Polk County, MO drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.74%) and those who worked at home (5.95%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

26.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Polk County, MO have a shorter commute time (26.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.45% of the workforce in Polk County, MO have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Polk County, MO compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Polk County, MO distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Polk County, MO have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 13.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Polk County, MO. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.07%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

15.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Polk County, MO (4.76k out of 30k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Polk County, MO is White, followed by Two Or More and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 21.2% of the children was living in poverty in Polk County, MO. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 9.3%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 393 in Polk County, MO. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 27 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

87.3% of the population of Polk County, MO has health coverage, with 41.7% on employee plans, 15.1% on Medicaid, 13.1% on Medicare, 14.9% on non-group plans, and 2.43% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Polk County, MO see 1398 patients per year on average, which represents a 4.17% increase from the previous year (1342 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3610 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 500 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.2% were men and 51.8% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,398 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Polk County, MO

Primary care physicians in Polk County, MO see an average of 1,398 patients per year. This represents a 4.17% increase from the previous year (1,342 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Polk County, MO in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25% under 18 years, 21.8% between 18 and 34 years, 36.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.2% were men and 51.8% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

12.7%

Uninsured

41.7%

Employer Coverage

15.1%

Medicaid

13.1%

Medicare

14.9%

Non-Group

2.43%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Polk County, MO declined by 9.29% from 14% to 12.7%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Polk County, MO changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was N/A in Polk County, MO.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Polk County, MO.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 36.6% in Polk County, MO.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Polk County, MO.

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