CountyScore

Polk County

Oregon · OR

#25 in Oregon
63.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Polk County, Oregon

Polk scores 27% above national baseline

Polk County's composite score of 63.7 clearly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 35% of U.S. counties. This mid-Willamette Valley county delivers solid livability across multiple dimensions.

Slightly below Oregon average

At 63.7, Polk ranks just below Oregon's state average of 66.6, reflecting its position as a mixed suburban-rural county near Salem. It offers a middle ground between urban Portland and remote eastern Oregon.

Tax efficiency and health care stand out

Polk excels with a tax score of 78.6 (0.84% effective rate) and health score of 73.7, both strong markers of livability. The cost score of 61.0 indicates moderate housing affordability, with median rent at $1,270/month and median home values of $419,500.

Risk score and income need attention

Polk's risk score of 27.2 is the lowest among these eight counties, suggesting elevated exposure to natural disasters or economic volatility. The income score of 36.5 reflects median household income of $81,318, below peers like Multnomah.

Suits families seeking suburban balance

Polk County appeals to families and professionals seeking a blend of rural space, reasonable housing costs, and tax efficiency near Salem's job markets. It's an ideal choice for those who want suburbs without Portland's price tag.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.6Cost61SafetyComing SoonHealth73.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome36.5Risk27.2WaterComing Soon
🏛78.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠61
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼36.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡27.2
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

Jefferson County
Alabama
63.7
Median income: $64,589
Clay County
Florida
63.7
Median income: $86,094
Putnam County
Florida
63.7
Median income: $47,256
Decatur County
Georgia
63.7
Median income: $50,485
Lowndes County
Georgia
63.7
Median income: $55,887

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's rate slightly above national median

Polk County's 0.842% effective tax rate edges above the national median of 0.99%, placing it in the moderate-to-high tier nationally. The median property tax of $3,534 is roughly 31% higher than the national median of $2,690.

Above Oregon average, mid-state rank

At 0.842%, Polk exceeds Oregon's 0.775% state average and ranks among the higher-taxing counties in the state. The median tax bill of $3,534 surpasses Oregon's $2,745 average, though Polk homes are moderately valued compared to Portland-area counties.

Higher than Willamette Valley peers

Polk's 0.842% rate runs noticeably above Marion County's 0.752%, making it one of the Willamette Valley's steeper tax environments. The median home value here ($419,500) is consistent with the broader region but carries a higher effective rate burden.

Annual tax on median home: $3,534

A typical Polk County home worth $419,500 generates an annual property tax bill of $3,534 at the county's 0.842% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay about $3,705; those without mortgages pay approximately $3,200.

Assessment reviews often reveal overages

Polk County homeowners frequently discover their assessed values exceed recent market sales, making formal appeals a practical money-saving step. Requesting a reassessment when market conditions shift downward can unlock significant annual tax relief.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Polk County

via CostByCounty

Polk strikes middle ground on affordability

Polk County's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio sits just below Oregon's 19.4% state average, offering moderate affordability compared to the national benchmark. With a median household income of $81,318—above the national median of $74,755—Polk residents have slightly more income cushion than the typical American household.

Polk ranks near Oregon's median affordability

At 18.7%, Polk County's rent-to-income ratio places it slightly ahead of the state average, making it one of Oregon's more reasonably priced housing markets. The $1,270 median rent falls between rural and urban Oregon trends, offering a suburban sweet spot.

Polk offers better value than Portland

Polk's $1,270 rent undercuts Multnomah County ($1,582) by $312 monthly while outpacing most eastern Oregon counties in household income. The 18.7% rent-to-income ratio beats Multnomah (22.0%) and Tillamook (21.1%), positioning Polk as a balanced alternative.

Suburban balance between rent and ownership

Polk renters spend $1,270 monthly while homeowners budget $1,592 for mortgages, with the median home value of $419,500 reflecting suburban demand. At 18.7% of income going to rent, Polk offers more breathing room than Portland while maintaining reasonable homeownership costs.

Polk works for balanced living

If you want Oregon proximity to Portland without extreme housing costs, Polk County delivers solid value—$133 cheaper rent than Multnomah with comparable incomes. The county's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio suggests you'll have meaningful income left for savings and other expenses.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Polk County

via IncomeByCounty

Polk County households earn solidly

Polk County's median household income of $81,318 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by about 9%, placing it well above the national midpoint. This comfortable margin reflects a diversified economy spanning agriculture, manufacturing, and government employment.

Second-highest in Oregon

At $81,318, Polk County's median income trails only Multnomah County ($86,247) among Oregon's 36 counties and significantly exceeds the state average of $69,965. With per-capita income of $39,423—well above the state average of $37,652—Polk demonstrates broad-based prosperity.

Clear leader in Willamette Valley

Polk's $81,318 substantially outearns Tillamook County ($66,551), Morrow County ($70,217), and Umatilla County ($68,958). The county's proximity to Salem's government and tech sectors, combined with agricultural and forestry income, creates a stronger earnings profile than surrounding rural peers.

Solid earnings with rising housing costs

Polk County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.7% indicates manageable housing costs relative to income, below the 30% affordability threshold. However, the median home value of $419,500 has risen sharply, so homebuyers should factor in future price increases when evaluating long-term affordability.

Leverage Polk's income advantage

With incomes above state and national averages and reasonable housing ratios, Polk residents can aggressively save and invest. Consider maximizing retirement contributions, establishing emergency funds, and exploring diverse investment vehicles to build generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Polk County

via HealthByCounty

Consistently outperforms national health marks

Polk County residents live an average of 79.0 years, nearly a full year longer than the U.S. average of 78.3 years. At 18.8% poor/fair health, the county closely matches the national average, suggesting Polk residents enjoy genuinely longer, healthier lives.

Among Oregon's healthiest counties

Polk County's 79.0-year life expectancy stands 2.0 years above Oregon's state average of 77.0 years, making it one of the state's top performers. The 18.8% poor/fair health rate also exceeds most Oregon peers, positioning Polk as a health leader statewide.

Willamette Valley health advantage

Polk County's 79.0-year life expectancy significantly exceeds neighboring Tillamook County (75.2 years) and exceeds Marion County's regional average. The county's 18.8% poor/fair health rate ranks better than most Willamette Valley neighbors, reflecting strong community health investment.

Adequate primary care, emerging mental health needs

Polk County provides 57 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, meeting rural standards, though mental health provider availability at 317 per 100,000 suggests room for expansion. The 7.3% uninsured rate—below Oregon's 8.1% average—helps residents access needed care without cost barriers.

Keep your coverage active

Polk County's strong health outcomes reflect sustained access to care; maintain your health insurance to protect that advantage. Visit Oregon Health Plan or Healthcare.gov to confirm your current coverage and explore options if circumstances change.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Polk County

via RiskByCounty

Polk County's risk slightly above average

Polk County's composite score of 72.84 and Relatively Low rating exceed the U.S. average but reflect moderate hazard exposure across multiple types. Earthquake risk (95.39) and flood risk (68.23) drive the county's overall profile.

Mid-range risk compared to Oregon

At 72.84, Polk County sits notably above Oregon's 63.43 state average, placing it in the state's upper-middle tier for disaster risk. The Willamette Valley location exposes residents to significant seismic and flood hazards.

Riskier than most adjacent counties

Polk County's 72.84 score exceeds Marion, Benton, and Yamhill counties' composite risks. The county's position in the seismically active Willamette Valley explains its elevated earthquake exposure relative to western neighbors.

Earthquakes and floods threaten Polk

Earthquake risk reaches 95.39, reflecting Polk's location in Oregon's most seismically active region. Flood risk scores 68.23, with the Willamette River and tributaries posing seasonal inundation threats to valley communities.

Earthquakes and flood coverage essential

Polk County homeowners should secure earthquake insurance riders—often 10–15% of home value—and verify flood coverage, particularly if within a mapped floodplain. Standard policies exclude both, making separate coverage critical.

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.