Polk County continues to be positioned as one of Florida’s most populous counties, ranking 9th out of the state’s 67 counties, according to the United States Census Bureau data.
Population Growth Outpacing State?
Data revealed that the county’s population grew to 818,330 as of July 1, 2023, marking a 12.9% increase from the 725,046 residents recorded in the 2020 Census. Interestingly, this growth has outpaced the Florida state’s overall population increase of 5.0% recorded during the same period.
Demographically, Polk County’s racial and ethnic makeup is diverse, with White residents comprising the largest group at 54.4%, followed by Hispanics at 26.2% and Black residents at 14.4%.
Economic Indicators: Income and Poverty
Despite its sizeable population, Polk County’s economic indicators present a mixed picture. In 2022, the county’s median household income stood at $60,901, a 10.5% year-over-year increase, according to Data USA.
While this figure surpassed the median household incomes of counties like Hernando ($59,202) and Franklin ($58,107), it fell short of the statewide median of $67,917.
Furthermore, the county’s per capita income of $30,262 for the period 2018-2022 lagged behind Florida’s $38,850 during the same timeframe.
Notably, 15.7% of Polk County families live below the poverty line, a higher percentage than the state’s 12.7%.
Age Demographics
The median age of residents in Polk County is 39.8 years, indicating a relatively young population compared to other counties in Florida. Research indicates that 50.8% of the county’s population are female, mirroring the state average, while 18.1% are persons 65 years and older.