Polk County's composite score of 68.6 outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 18.6 points, placing it solidly above the typical U.S. county. Residents enjoy notably higher livability across measured dimensions.
2 / 5
Slightly below Minnesota's state standard
Polk County scores 68.6, just 2.3 points below Minnesota's average of 70.9, ranking it in the middle of the state's 87 counties. It remains a competitive performer relative to other Minnesota communities.
3 / 5
Health and affordability provide foundation
Polk County scores well on health (77.5) and cost (76.7), with median rent of $843/month and home value of $211,100 offering solid affordability. The effective tax rate of 0.999% provides reasonable fiscal relief for residents.
4 / 5
Low risk resilience and modest incomes
Polk County's risk score of 33.0 is the weakest in this cohort, signaling vulnerability to economic or environmental shocks. Income potential (28.5) also lags, with median household income of $69,136 trailing state peers.
5 / 5
Suits stable, health-focused households
Polk County appeals to families and individuals seeking affordable, healthy communities with decent healthcare but who accept lower economic resilience. It works best for those with stable employment and moderate financial needs rather than economic growth seekers.
Polk County's composite score of 68.6 outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 18.6 points, placing it solidly above the typical U.S. county. Residents enjoy notably higher livability across measured dimensions.
Slightly below Minnesota's state standard
Polk County scores 68.6, just 2.3 points below Minnesota's average of 70.9, ranking it in the middle of the state's 87 counties. It remains a competitive performer relative to other Minnesota communities.
Health and affordability provide foundation
Polk County scores well on health (77.5) and cost (76.7), with median rent of $843/month and home value of $211,100 offering solid affordability. The effective tax rate of 0.999% provides reasonable fiscal relief for residents.
Low risk resilience and modest incomes
Polk County's risk score of 33.0 is the weakest in this cohort, signaling vulnerability to economic or environmental shocks. Income potential (28.5) also lags, with median household income of $69,136 trailing state peers.
Suits stable, health-focused households
Polk County appeals to families and individuals seeking affordable, healthy communities with decent healthcare but who accept lower economic resilience. It works best for those with stable employment and moderate financial needs rather than economic growth seekers.
Score breakdown
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Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Polk County's 0.999% effective tax rate edges above the national median of 0.968% by about 3%. With a median home value of $211,100—25% below the US median—the county remains accessible for homebuyers despite the slightly elevated tax rate.
Slightly above Minnesota average
At 0.999%, Polk County's effective tax rate runs just above Minnesota's state average of 0.968%. This places it roughly in the middle of the state's 87 counties, making it a moderate-tax option for property owners.
Moderate taxes for the region
Polk County at 0.999% sits between higher-tax Pennington County at 1.218% and lower-tax Pine County at 0.875%. Among northwest Minnesota neighbors, Polk represents a middle ground for effective tax rates.
About $2,109 on median-valued home
A median home valued at $211,100 in Polk County generates approximately $2,109 in annual property taxes at the 0.999% effective rate. This falls just below the state median of $2,168, keeping the county's tax burden reasonable despite its slightly above-average rate.
Challenge inflated property values
Polk County homeowners may find their assessments don't reflect current market conditions or recent property improvements. Filing an appeal is straightforward and can result in meaningful tax savings if values are overstated.
Polk County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.6% aligns nearly perfectly with the national average of 14.5%, signaling typical affordability for the U.S. The county's median household income of $69,136 runs $5,619 below the national median, yet housing costs remain proportionally reasonable.
Slightly above Minnesota's rental affordability bar
Polk County's 14.6% rent-to-income ratio marginally exceeds Minnesota's 14.5% state average. The median rent of $843 undercuts the state median of $915 by roughly $72, placing it in the more affordable half of Minnesota counties.
Polk's $843 rent sits between Pipestone's bargain $731 and Pennington's $900, offering moderate pricing. However, homeowners pay $1,085 monthly—the highest among this comparison group—reflecting median home values near $211,100.
Renters find better value than homebuyers
On a $69,136 median income, Polk renters allocate 14.6% ($843) to housing while homeowners stretch to 18.8% ($1,085). The gap widens due to median home values of $211,100, making homeownership a significant financial commitment.
Polk works best for renters seeking balance
Polk County offers middle-ground rent prices and near-national-average affordability metrics. But if homeownership is your goal, compare Polk's $1,085 owner costs to cheaper alternatives like Pipestone ($787) or Redwood ($784).
Polk County's median household income of $69,136 trails the national median of $74,755 by roughly 7.5%. The county falls in the lower-middle segment of U.S. income distribution.
Below-Average Earner for Minnesota
Polk County's $69,136 median income sits below Minnesota's state average of $75,757, placing it among the less affluent counties statewide. The $6,600 gap reflects rural northern Minnesota economic patterns.
Middle of the Regional Pack
Polk's $69,136 sits between lower-income Pipestone ($66,073) and higher-income Pennington ($72,561), making it a typical community in northwestern Minnesota. The county earns less than prosperous Ramsey County ($81,004) by over $11,000.
Moderate Housing Affordability
Polk County's 14.6% rent-to-income ratio shows housing costs are sustainable at current income levels. With a median home value of $211,100, homeownership remains achievable for most working households.
Maximize Every Dollar Earned
Polk County households earning $69,136 benefit from reasonable housing costs, leaving room for financial planning. Automating savings, using employer matching on retirement plans, and diversifying investments can accelerate wealth accumulation.
Polk County residents live to 76.9 years on average, nearly matching the U.S. median of 76.4 years but 1.8 years below Minnesota's state average of 78.7 years. With 14.3% reporting poor or fair health, the county is slightly healthier than the U.S. average of 16.1%.
Trailing most Minnesota counties
Polk County ranks in Minnesota's lower third for life expectancy, falling nearly two years behind the state average. The 14.3% poor/fair health rate is moderate within Minnesota, indicating room for improvement in population health.
Modest provider capacity in rural setting
Polk County has 55 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, below the state median and comparable to other rural northern Minnesota neighbors. Mental health providers are more available at 270 per 100K, giving residents decent behavioral health access.
Slightly better uninsured than state average
At 5.6% uninsured, Polk County performs better than Minnesota's 6.0% state average, meaning most residents have coverage. However, the sparse provider network means even insured residents may need to travel for specialty services.
Insurance helps bridge rural care gaps
In Polk County's rural landscape, health insurance is your bridge to care—whether local or across longer distances. If you're uninsured, explore options at MNsure.org to gain access and protect your family's health.
Polk County's risk significantly outpaces U.S. average
Polk County scores 67.05 on the composite risk scale, placing it substantially above the national average and into the higher end of "Relatively Low" territory. This elevation is driven by combined flood (69.85) and wildfire (83.37) exposure that reflects the county's boreal forest and river systems. The score demands more active preparation than many American counties face.
Polk ranks among Minnesota's higher-risk counties
Polk County's composite score of 67.05 significantly exceeds Minnesota's state average of 42.38, placing it in the upper quarter of the state's 87 counties. This ranking is driven by the state's second-highest wildfire risk (83.37) and above-average flood exposure from the Red River and tributaries. Polk's risk profile makes it notably more vulnerable than most Minnesota counties.
Polk faces Minnesota's most concentrated wildfire exposure
Polk County's score of 67.05 marginally exceeds Pennington County to the south (46.98) and approaches the state's highest-risk areas. Its wildfire risk of 83.37 represents Minnesota's most extreme exposure, driven by continuous boreal forest that covers the vast majority of the county. The 69.85 flood risk reflects the Red River's western border exposure and seasonal flooding dynamics affecting northwestern Minnesota.
Wildfire and flooding define Polk County hazards
Wildfire risk reaches 83.37—Minnesota's highest—reflecting the county's vast boreal forest that creates substantial fuel for large fires during dry seasons, particularly spring and fall. Flood risk scores 69.85, driven by the Red River that forms Polk's western border and periodically overflows its banks during heavy spring snowmelt and summer rains. Tornado risk is moderate at 47.46, below the state's most tornado-prone counties.
Invest in fire and flood coverage for Polk County
Purchase a dedicated wildfire rider for your homeowners policy and a separate National Flood Insurance Program policy—neither risk is covered by standard homeowners insurance. Create defensible space by removing dead vegetation and pruning tree canopies within 100 feet of structures, particularly critical given Polk's extreme wildfire exposure. Document your home's replacement cost and review all coverage annually with an insurance agent familiar with northwestern Minnesota risks.