CountyScore

Polk County

Nebraska · NE

#22 in Nebraska
74
County Score

County Report Card

About Polk County, Nebraska

Strong Livability by National Standards

Polk County scores 74.0, substantially exceeding the national median of 50.0. The county ranks among the better-performing American communities on livability measures.

Outperforms Nebraska's Average

At 74.0, Polk scores above Nebraska's state average of 71.2, placing it among the state's stronger performers. The county stands as a standout Nebraska community.

Outstanding Tax Efficiency and Affordability

Polk County boasts the state's lowest effective tax rate at just 0.983% with a Tax Score of 74.6, the highest among these counties. Combined with strong Cost Score of 85.0—affordable housing with median values at $177,800 and rent at $692—the county maximizes household purchasing power.

Limited Income Growth Potential

The Income Score of 30.2 reflects median household income of $71,771, which is below state benchmarks and limits earning trajectory. Health Score of 73.2, while acceptable, trails strongest-performing counties.

Ideal for Value-Minded Households

Polk County appeals to budget-conscious families, retirees, and savers seeking maximum financial efficiency and low-cost living. Its exceptional tax burden and housing affordability make it perfect for those prioritizing financial preservation over income growth in a stable rural setting.

Score breakdown

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

Tax74.6Cost85SafetyComing SoonHealth73.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.2Risk74.3WaterComing Soon
🏛74.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡74.3
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

Bibb County
Alabama
74
Median income: $51,215
Crenshaw County
Alabama
74
Median income: $49,040
Fremont County
Idaho
74
Median income: $72,767
Metcalfe County
Kentucky
74
Median income: $48,572
Trimble County
Kentucky
74
Median income: $67,813

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 offers Nebraska's lowest tax rate

Polk County's effective tax rate of 0.983% is the lowest among all measured Nebraska counties, running 23% below the state average of 1.281%. Though the median property tax of $1,748 remains below the national median of $2,690, Polk's lean rate makes it the state's most tax-friendly option.

Lowest effective tax rate in state sample

Polk County edges out Perkins County (1.014%) with Nebraska's lowest effective tax rate at 0.983%, delivering genuine savings to homeowners. Median annual taxes of $1,748 run 11% below the state average of $1,972, reflecting both favorable rates and modest home values.

Best tax rate in the central region

Polk's 0.983% rate is the lowest across all nearby counties measured, including Perkins (1.014%), Nuckolls (1.280%), and Pawnee (1.592%). The county's median home value of $177,800 sits in the mid-range regionally, so the exceptionally low rate provides real competitive advantage.

Polk home tax costs on median value

A homeowner with a $177,800 property in Polk County should expect roughly $1,748 in annual property taxes at the favorable 0.983% effective rate. Depending on mortgage status, actual bills range from $1,588 to $1,829.

Verify assessment even at low rates

While Polk County boasts Nebraska's lowest tax rate, homeowners should still confirm their assessed values match current market conditions. If your home's assessment runs above recent comparable sales, filing an appeal could yield additional savings on an already favorable tax situation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Polk County

via CostByCounty

Polk leads the region in renter affordability

Polk County renters spend just 11.6% of their income on housing, significantly better than Nebraska's 14.2% state average and well below national norms. With a median household income of $71,771 close to the national average of $74,755, Polk offers strong earning power and excellent affordability.

Best rental affordability in eight-county region

Polk County ranks among Nebraska's most affordable counties for renters at 11.6% rent-to-income, second only to Nuckolls in this comparison. Its $692 median rent is $91 cheaper than the state average of $783.

Affordable rent with solid home values

Polk's $692 median rent ranks second-lowest in this region, beaten only by Nuckolls and Pawnee at $616. Home values of $177,800 offer a middle ground, providing reasonable buying options for those ready to purchase.

Renters and owners both find balance

Polk households earn $71,771 annually and spend $692 on rent (11.6% of income) or $727 on mortgages (12.2% of income). Both renter and homeowner burdens rank among the best in the region, making Polk attractive for multiple housing strategies.

Polk delivers affordability with strong earnings

Polk County offers the best overall balance in this region: renter affordability that ranks second-best, homeowner costs that are manageable, and median income near the national average. It's an excellent choice for anyone seeking genuine affordability without sacrificing economic opportunity.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Polk County

via IncomeByCounty

Polk Approaches National Income Standard

Polk County's median household income of $71,771 sits about $2,984 below the national median of $74,755, representing just a 4% shortfall. The county demonstrates solid middle-class stability with incomes tracking close to national averages.

Above Nebraska State Average

Polk County's median household income of $71,771 exceeds Nebraska's state average of $66,880 by $4,891, positioning it firmly in the upper half of the state's 93 counties. The county earns notably more than most Nebraska peers.

Strong Showing in Region

Polk County's $71,771 income ranks it solidly among regional leaders, outpacing Pawnee County ($54,926), Perkins County ($67,500), and Phelps County ($65,988). It sits near Nuckolls County ($70,201) and trails only Otoe County and Pierce County in the immediate region.

Housing Costs Remain Reasonable

Polk County's rent-to-income ratio of 11.6% is among the county group's lowest, indicating strong housing affordability despite a median home value of $177,800. Residents spend a modest portion of income on housing, leaving meaningful capacity for savings and other expenses.

Build Wealth With Favorable Conditions

Polk County households benefit from both solid income and affordable housing costs, creating an ideal foundation for wealth building. Direct savings from low housing burden toward retirement accounts, education funds, and long-term investments to compound wealth over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Polk County

via HealthByCounty

Polk trails national life expectancy

At 76.7 years, Polk County residents live about 2.2 years shorter than the U.S. average of 78.9 years, placing it among Nebraska's shorter-lived counties. With 16.3% reporting poor or fair health—above the national median of 13.7%—chronic disease burden significantly impacts the community.

Below-average health in Nebraska rankings

Polk's 76.7-year life expectancy falls below Nebraska's state average of 77.5 years, ranking it among the lower-performing counties. The 8.2% uninsured rate nearly matches the state average, suggesting insurance is less the problem than underlying health and provider access challenges.

Limited primary care, modest mental health support

Polk provides just 58 primary care providers per 100K residents, well below Nuckolls (123) and Perkins (106), and 38 mental health providers per 100K. This dual limitation in both medical and behavioral health capacity constrains residents' ability to address preventive and chronic disease care.

Provider shortages limit health management

With only 58 primary care providers per 100K and 8.2% uninsured, Polk residents face moderate barriers to healthcare access that likely contribute to the 16.3% poor or fair health rate. Long wait times and travel distances to available providers may discourage preventive visits and early disease detection.

Strengthen Polk's health through coverage

While 91.8% of Polk County residents have insurance, that remaining 8.2% should explore marketplace plans during open enrollment (November 1–January 31) to ensure continuous preventive care access. Contact Healthcare.gov or a local navigator to find plans fitting your budget and healthcare needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Polk County

via RiskByCounty

Polk County sits at state-level risk profile

Polk County's composite risk score of 25.70 places it in the Very Low category and nearly matches the national average. This balanced exposure reflects moderate, non-catastrophic hazard threats across multiple disaster types.

Slightly above Nebraska's average

Polk County's score of 25.70 edges slightly above Nebraska's state average of 25.80, placing it near the midpoint of the state's risk rankings. This near-average position reflects a fairly typical hazard profile for central Nebraska.

Moderate risk compared to surrounding area

Polk County's 25.70 score positions it between the region's safer counties like Perkins (4.36) and higher-risk areas like Platte (70.58). Most surrounding counties cluster between 14 and 40, making Polk relatively typical for the area.

Tornado and wildfire lead hazard list

Tornado risk scores 36.80 and wildfire risk scores 38.39, making these Polk County's primary concerns despite relatively balanced overall exposure. Flood (16.44), earthquake (8.21), and hurricane risks remain secondary.

Standard coverage with wind emphasis

Polk County residents should ensure their homeowners insurance provides comprehensive wind damage coverage for tornadoes and wildfire protection. Given the balanced hazard profile, standard homeowners insurance combined with routine property maintenance should provide adequate protection against the county's moderate threats.

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.