CountyScore

Polk County

Florida · FL

#51 in Florida
61.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Polk County, Florida

Polk Scores Among Top Livable Counties

Polk County's composite score of 68.3 significantly outperforms the national median of 50.0, ranking in the 68th percentile nationally. This positions Polk as a genuinely livable county by national standards.

Nearly Matches Florida's State Average

At 68.3, Polk performs just 1.1 points below Florida's state average of 69.4, placing it among the state's better-performing counties. The county demonstrates balanced livability across measured dimensions.

Outstanding Housing Affordability

Polk's cost score of 69.3 is the second-highest in this group, reflecting median rents of just $1,272 and home values averaging $240,000. The tax score of 81.5 and effective rate of 0.737% further enhance affordability.

Lower Income Levels and Sparse Data

The income score of 24.9 is the lowest among these counties, with median household earnings of just $63,644. Safety, health, schools, risk, and water quality data remain unavailable, preventing a complete livability assessment.

Ideal for Budget-First Home Seekers

Polk County suits families and retirees with limited budgets who prioritize housing affordability and low taxes above all else. The county delivers genuine value for cost-conscious residents willing to accept lower median incomes in exchange for maximum affordability.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax81.5Cost69.3SafetyComing SoonHealth61.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.9Risk3.5WaterComing Soon
🏛81.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡3.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Polk County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

El Dorado County
California
61.3
Median income: $106,190
Sarasota County
Florida
61.3
Median income: $80,633
Vermilion County
Illinois
61.3
Median income: $54,537
Sedgwick County
Kansas
61.3
Median income: $67,675
Andrews County
Texas
61.3
Median income: $76,902

Deep Dives

Polk County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Polk County

via TaxByCounty

Polk taxes moderate by national standards

Polk County's 0.737% effective tax rate sits comfortably above the national median of 0.71% but remains reasonable nationally. The median property tax of $1,769 falls well below the national median of $2,690, reflecting Polk's more affordable home market at $240,000.

Slightly above Florida's state average

Polk's 0.737% effective rate nudges above Florida's state average of 0.731%, making it a very competitive county to own property. The median annual tax of $1,769 is only 6% above the state median of $1,885, among the lowest in Central Florida.

Best value among Central Florida peers

Polk's 0.737% rate beats Osceola (0.786%) and Pasco (0.763%), offering homeowners the lowest effective tax burden in the region. Combined with below-average home values, Polk is a standout for affordability.

Just $1,769 annually on median home

On Polk's median home value of $240,000, homeowners pay approximately $1,769 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, costs rise to $2,111 once all assessments apply.

Check for overassessment—savings possible

Even in affordable, lower-tax counties like Polk, assessment errors occur regularly. A no-cost appeal to the property appraiser could uncover additional tax relief on your home.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Polk County

via CostByCounty

Polk delivers Florida's best affordability

Polk County renters spend just 24.0% of their income on rent, meaningfully better than national affordability stress levels and among the best in Florida. Despite a median household income of $63,644—the lowest in this survey—Polk's low housing costs create genuine purchasing power for working families.

One of Florida's most affordable counties

Polk's rent-to-income ratio of 24.0% slightly exceeds Florida's state average of 22.5%, yet median rent of $1,272 runs just $39 above the state baseline. The county represents the most affordable major market in central Florida.

Least expensive in the central Florida cluster

Polk renters pay $1,272 monthly—$100 less than Pasco, $253 less than Pinellas, and $379 less than Osceola. For workers willing to commute to Tampa Bay or Orlando, Polk offers the region's sharpest value proposition.

Housing costs just 24% of income

Renters average $1,272 monthly while homeowners pay $1,041, totaling roughly 24% of the $63,644 median household income. Polk households retain approximately $4,150 monthly for all other expenses, the highest real purchasing power in this regional comparison.

Best bang for your buck in central Florida

Relocating to Polk means allocating just 24% of income to rent—the lowest burden among central Florida counties. If affordability is your priority and you can manage a commute to Tampa or Orlando job centers, Polk delivers unmatched value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Polk County

via IncomeByCounty

Polk trails national and state averages

Polk County's median household income of $63,644 falls 15% below the national median of $74,755. This gap reflects the county's significant agricultural, phosphate mining, and blue-collar employment base in Central Florida's working-class heartland.

Below-average earner in Florida

At $63,644, Polk County sits roughly $1,800 below Florida's state average of $65,468, ranking in the lower-middle tier of Florida's 67 counties. The county's per capita income of $31,927 also lags the state average, indicating fewer high-income households overall.

Among lowest earners in region

Polk County's $63,644 income trails all surveyed neighbors including Osceola ($68,711), Pasco ($67,384), and Pinellas ($70,293). This positions the county as a more affordable but lower-income area within the broader Tampa Bay and Central Florida region.

Most affordable housing in the region

Polk County offers exceptional housing affordability with a 24.0% rent-to-income ratio and the lowest median home value of $240,000 in the county set. This makes homeownership mathematically feasible for typical households, though tight overall budgets remain a challenge.

Strategic budgeting unlocks small wins

With median income around $63,600, Polk County households must prioritize disciplined budgeting to free up 5-10% of earnings for savings. Even $100-150 monthly in a high-yield savings account or low-cost index fund can grow meaningfully over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Polk County

via HealthByCounty

Polk struggles against national health trends

Polk County's 76.1-year life expectancy slightly exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years, but masks serious underlying health challenges. With 21.7% reporting poor or fair health—significantly higher than the national average of 18%—Polk faces elevated chronic disease burden and health disparities.

Lagging Florida's health benchmarks

Polk's 76.1-year life expectancy falls below Florida's 75.8-year average—a concerning reversal that reflects aging demographics and limited healthcare access. The county's 21.7% poor/fair health rate ranks among Florida's worst, signaling urgent need for preventive care investment.

Healthiest outcomes weakest in region

Polk's 76.1-year life expectancy trails nearby Osceola (77.7), Pasco (76.2), and Pinellas (77.6) counties, positioning it as the region's health laggard. The gap widens dramatically with wealthier counties like Palm Beach (80.7), revealing stark geographic health inequality across central Florida.

Limited providers, high uninsured rates

Polk's 14.7% uninsured rate ranks among Florida's highest, and 46 primary care providers per 100,000 residents fall below peer counties. With only 123 mental health providers per 100,000, behavioral health access remains constrained, compounding the county's poor health outcomes.

Find help covering care costs

Nearly one in seven Polk residents lacks insurance coverage. Call 211 or visit Healthcare.gov to explore Medicaid expansion eligibility, marketplace subsidies, and community health centers offering sliding-scale care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Polk County

via RiskByCounty

Polk County ranks high for disasters

Polk County's composite risk score of 96.53 places it among the highest-risk counties in the United States, rated Relatively High. Despite being inland, the county faces significant hurricane exposure at 98.50 and wildfire risk at 96.98.

Top-tier risk within Florida

At 96.53, Polk County ranks among Florida's most disaster-prone communities, standing 20.79 points above the state average of 75.74. The county's inland position provides little protection; hurricane and tornado exposure keep it among the state's highest-risk areas.

Central Florida's riskiest county

Polk's 96.53 score exceeds nearby Osceola County (91.95) but trails coastal counties like Pasco (95.96) and Pinellas (98.22). Putnam County to the north scores notably lower at 79.74, showing how proximity to hurricane exposure zones amplifies central Florida's disaster risk.

Hurricanes and wildfires dominate

Polk faces exceptional hurricane risk at 98.50 and wildfire exposure at 96.98, making storm preparation and landscape management critical year-round. Tornado risk at 93.89 and flood risk at 94.62 add significant secondary threats, though hurricane season remains the primary concern.

Secure comprehensive storm coverage

Polk homeowners should verify wind and hail coverage in their policies—hurricanes and tornadoes regularly batter inland areas with severe gusts. A separate flood policy protects against the rainfall and drainage issues common during Atlantic storm impacts; defensible landscaping also reduces wildfire risk.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.