With a composite score of 72.7 out of 100, Polk County ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 45% of U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects an above-average livability profile compared to most American communities.
2 / 5
Slightly above Arkansas average
Polk County's 72.7 score edges out the Arkansas state average of 70.3, ranking it in the upper tier of the state's 75 counties. The county holds its own among its peers despite limited data availability on schools and safety.
3 / 5
Tax and affordability are standouts
Polk County excels at keeping costs down: a 89.9 tax score reflects one of the state's lowest effective tax rates at 0.441%, while a 88.0 cost score means median home values of just $122,600. Rents are equally modest at $699 per month, making this county highly accessible for budget-conscious households.
4 / 5
Income and economic resilience lag
With an income score of just 15.5, Polk County's median household income of $49,252 falls well below state and national averages. The county's risk score of 53.9 suggests moderate vulnerability to economic or environmental disruptions that deserve monitoring.
5 / 5
Best for retirees and cost-conscious families
Polk County suits people prioritizing affordability and low taxes over higher wages—ideal for retirees on fixed incomes or families seeking to minimize housing costs. The strong tax and affordability profile makes it attractive to those willing to trade higher incomes for dramatically lower living expenses.
With a composite score of 72.7 out of 100, Polk County ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 45% of U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects an above-average livability profile compared to most American communities.
Slightly above Arkansas average
Polk County's 72.7 score edges out the Arkansas state average of 70.3, ranking it in the upper tier of the state's 75 counties. The county holds its own among its peers despite limited data availability on schools and safety.
Tax and affordability are standouts
Polk County excels at keeping costs down: a 89.9 tax score reflects one of the state's lowest effective tax rates at 0.441%, while a 88.0 cost score means median home values of just $122,600. Rents are equally modest at $699 per month, making this county highly accessible for budget-conscious households.
Income and economic resilience lag
With an income score of just 15.5, Polk County's median household income of $49,252 falls well below state and national averages. The county's risk score of 53.9 suggests moderate vulnerability to economic or environmental disruptions that deserve monitoring.
Best for retirees and cost-conscious families
Polk County suits people prioritizing affordability and low taxes over higher wages—ideal for retirees on fixed incomes or families seeking to minimize housing costs. The strong tax and affordability profile makes it attractive to those willing to trade higher incomes for dramatically lower living expenses.
Score breakdown
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🏛89.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Polk County's effective tax rate of 0.441% is less than one-fifth the national median property tax burden. The median household here pays just $541 annually, compared to $2,690 nationally—placing Polk in roughly the bottom 10% of U.S. counties by tax burden.
Among Arkansas's lowest-tax counties
Polk County ranks near the bottom of Arkansas's 75 counties, with an effective rate of 0.441% versus the state average of 0.532%. Homeowners here pay roughly $164 less per year than the typical Arkansan.
Lower taxes than most regional peers
Polk County's 0.441% rate beats neighboring Saline County (0.631%) and Pulaski County (0.783%), though it slightly exceeds nearby Scott County (0.411%). Among the eight-county sample, Polk ranks fourth-lowest in effective tax burden.
What you'll pay on a median home
A home valued at $122,600 in Polk County generates an estimated annual property tax of $541 without mortgage-related exemptions, rising to $589 with them. Over a typical 30-year mortgage, that's roughly $16,230 in taxes.
Check if you're overassessed
Many Arkansas homeowners pay taxes on inflated assessments and never know it. If your assessed value seems high relative to recent sales, filing a formal appeal with the county assessor's office could lower your bill.
Polk County renters spend 17.0% of their income on housing, beating the national norm and placing the county in affordable territory. This is notably better than the typical American household, which dedicates a larger share of earnings to rent in costlier metros.
Polk ranks comfortably in Arkansas
With a rent-to-income ratio of 17.0%, Polk County outperforms the state average of 18.1%, making it one of the more affordable corners of Arkansas. The county's median rent of $699 stays well below the state average of $760.
Cheaper than most neighbors nearby
Polk's $699 median rent undercuts nearby Pope County ($855) and Saline County ($980), though it trails the very affordable Prairie County ($637). Among similar-sized counties, Polk offers solid value for renters seeking stability without breaking the bank.
Housing consumes modest income share
Polk County households earn a median $49,252 annually, with renters paying $699/month and homeowners $520/month—totaling just 17% and 12.6% of income respectively. This leaves breathing room for other necessities compared to counties where housing demands exceed 20% of earnings.
Consider Polk for affordable living
If you're relocating to Arkansas, Polk County delivers below-state-average rents ($699 vs $760) and manageable homeowner costs ($520/month) on incomes around $49,000. Compare these numbers to nearby Pope ($1,036 rent) to see where your paycheck stretches furthest.
The median household in Polk County earns $49,252 annually—34% below the national median of $74,755. This income gap reflects broader economic challenges in rural northwestern Arkansas compared to more prosperous metros nationwide.
Below-average income within Arkansas
Polk County ranks below the state average, with households earning $49,252 versus Arkansas's $51,156 median. The county's per capita income of $32,243 exceeds the state average of $28,096, suggesting uneven wealth distribution.
Polk outperforms some rural neighbors
Polk County's $49,252 median household income edges out Scott County ($45,955) and Searcy County ($41,978), but trails Pope County ($54,606) and Saline County ($76,534) in the region. Proximity to Saline County's stronger economic center explains some of this variance.
Housing costs remain manageable here
Polk County's 17.0% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning renters spend a reasonable share of earnings on housing. The median home value of $122,600 is accessible for homebuyers with stable income.
Build financial security in Polk County
With moderate housing costs, Polk County households have breathing room to save and invest for retirement. Local credit unions and financial advisors can help residents develop wealth-building strategies tailored to $49,000-range household budgets.
Polk County residents live to an average of 72.2 years, falling short of the U.S. average of 78.9 years by nearly 7 years. With 23.4% of adults reporting poor or fair health, the county mirrors national patterns of persistent health challenges in rural areas.
Slightly below Arkansas median
Polk County's 72.2-year life expectancy places it just below Arkansas's state average of 72.3 years, positioning it in the middle tier of the state's 75 counties. The county's health profile reflects broader statewide trends rather than exceptional struggle or success.
Healthcare access varies locally
Polk County offers 78 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—more than neighboring Prairie County's 12 but fewer than Pulaski County's 118. Mental health support is available with 108 providers per 100,000, suggesting moderate access to behavioral health services across the region.
One in nine residents uninsured
An estimated 11.2% of Polk County residents lack health insurance, slightly above Arkansas's 9.9% uninsured rate. Limited primary care availability outside county seat areas means many residents travel for routine checkups and chronic disease management.
Explore coverage options today
If you're among the 11.2% uninsured in Polk County, Arkansas's marketplace and Medicaid expansion programs may offer affordable plans. Visit your local health department or healthcare.gov to compare options and enrollment deadlines.
With a composite risk score of 46.12, Polk County sits comfortably below the national average and carries a Relatively Low overall risk rating. This means your county faces fewer natural disaster threats than most of America, though localized hazards still deserve attention.
Below average for Arkansas
Polk County's score of 46.12 ranks it well below Arkansas's state average of 55.51, placing it among the safer counties in the state. You're in a stronger position than most of your state's neighbors when it comes to natural disaster exposure.
Compared to nearby counties
Scott County (26.84) and Searcy County (27.74) are even safer, while Saline County (77.64) faces notably higher risks. Your risk profile puts you in the middle of this western Arkansas cluster, benefiting from mountainous terrain that reduces some hazards but not others.
Wildfire is your top threat
Wildfire risk in Polk County stands at 82.44, making it your most significant hazard—well above the state average. Tornado risk (63.49) and earthquake risk (55.47) are moderate concerns, but your lower flood risk (53.37) reflects the county's elevated terrain.
Insurance essentials for Polk
Prioritize homeowners insurance that covers wildfire damage, including ember intrusion and defensible space requirements. Consider earthquake coverage as a supplement, and maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures to reduce wildfire vulnerability.