CountyScore

Polk County

Texas · TX

#148 in Texas
61.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Polk County, Texas

Polk exceeds national livability benchmark

Polk County's composite score of 70.2 beats the national median of 50.0 by 40%, ranking it among the top third of US counties. Its strength in affordability and taxes makes it an attractive livability choice nationally.

Outperforms Texas state average

At 70.2, Polk County scores above Texas's average of 66.8, positioning it in the stronger half of Texas counties. This consistent above-average performance reflects solid fundamentals across measured dimensions.

Outstanding housing costs and tax burden

Polk County leads with a cost score of 80.1 and tax score of 73.1, delivering median home values of $154,000 and an effective tax rate of 1.037%. Monthly rent of $1,009 keeps housing within reach for working families.

Incomes remain below regional averages

The income score of 21.9 reflects a median household income of $59,066, the lowest in this group, limiting wealth accumulation. Complete data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors is not yet available.

Perfect for cost-conscious Southeast Texas families

Polk County suits families prioritizing low housing costs and minimal taxes over high earning potential, particularly those with remote employment. It's an excellent fit for blue-collar workers and retirees seeking affordable rural Southeast Texas living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.1Cost80.1SafetyComing SoonHealth51.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.9Risk24.4WaterComing Soon
🏛73.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤51.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡24.4
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

Alachua County
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61.7
Median income: $59,659
Lake County
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61.7
Median income: $69,956
Cobb County
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61.7
Median income: $98,712
Herkimer County
New York
61.7
Median income: $68,858
Lorain County
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61.7
Median income: $70,693

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 tax rate beats the nation

At 1.037%, Polk County's effective tax rate runs 24% below the Texas state average of 1.276%, positioning homeowners favorably in the national landscape. The median property tax here is $1,597 annually—roughly 41% lower than the national median of $2,690—even as home values remain modest.

Among Texas's lowest tax counties

Polk County ranks in the lower half of Texas counties by effective tax rate, making it a relatively affordable option within the state. With a median tax bill of $1,597 compared to Texas's state average of $2,193, residents here keep more of their income.

Competitive rates in Southeast Texas

Polk's 1.037% rate sits well below neighboring Hardin and Liberty counties, offering homeowners a cost advantage in the timber and petrochemical region. The median home value of $154,000 here aligns with surrounding rural East Texas markets.

What a $154K home costs annually

The median homeowner in Polk County pays $1,597 per year in property taxes on a $154,000 home. With mortgage and school tax exemptions factored in, that figure can rise to $2,206, though many Polk residents qualify for homestead exemptions that reduce the burden.

Your assessment might be too high

Texas property tax appeals are free and straightforward—many homeowners discover their assessments are inflated by $500 to $2,000 annually. Filing a protest with Polk County's appraisal district takes just a few hours and could recover years of overpayment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Polk County

via CostByCounty

Polk renters stretch further for housing

Polk County's 20.5% rent-to-income ratio sits above both the Texas average of 18.1% and reflects tighter affordability for renters. With median income at $59,066—significantly below the national median of $74,755—renters here dedicate more of their earnings to the $1,009 monthly rent.

Mid-range affordability among Texas counties

Polk County's rent burden puts it in the middle-to-upper range of Texas counties, where affordability challenges are becoming more common. The county's lower median income relative to state averages amplifies the impact of housing costs on household finances.

Slightly pricier than surrounding areas

Polk County's $1,009 median rent exceeds the Texas state average of $963 by about $46 monthly, placing it on the higher end for this region. Neighboring counties offer comparable or lower rents, making cross-county comparisons worthwhile for budget-conscious renters.

Owning costs less than renting here

Homeowners in Polk pay $655 monthly compared to renters' $1,009—a stark $354 difference that reflects the ownership advantage in this market. With a median home value of $154,000 and median income at $59,066, buying remains challenging but rewarding for those who can afford it.

Polk works best for homebuyers

If you're relocating to Polk County, plan ahead: rents are above average, but ownership costs are competitive and build equity. Compare Polk's numbers against lower-rent alternatives on this list before committing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Polk County

via IncomeByCounty

Polk County Trails National Income

Polk County's median household income of $59,066 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by more than $15,600, representing a meaningful income gap. The county falls in the lower-to-middle range nationally, typical of rural East Texas communities.

Below Texas Average Earnings

At $59,066, Polk County's median household income falls nearly $5,700 below the Texas state average of $64,737. The county ranks in the lower third statewide for household earnings, reflecting limited industrial and professional sectors.

Polk Faces Earnings Headwind

Polk County's $59,066 income significantly lags regional neighbors: Parmer ($68,164), Pecos ($67,689), and Reagan ($70,288) all earn more. The gap underscores Polk's dependence on timber, agriculture, and service employment.

Housing Costs Stretch Budgets

Polk County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.5% is elevated, meaning housing consumes a meaningful share of household earnings. The median home value of $154,000 requires careful financial planning for buyers earning the county median.

Start Small, Build Momentum

With tighter margins, Polk County households benefit from disciplined budgeting and low-cost investing options. Automate even modest monthly contributions to index funds or IRAs—consistency matters more than size when building long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Polk County

via HealthByCounty

Polk faces a life expectancy gap

Polk County residents live just 70.1 years on average—over six years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Yet the county's 23.4% poor/fair health rate is relatively moderate, suggesting that acute mortality drivers (rather than chronic disease alone) may shorten lives.

Among Texas's lowest life expectancy

At 70.1 years, Polk County trails Texas's 74.3-year average by 4.2 years and ranks among the state's most concerning health profiles. The county's uninsured rate of 19.0% actually sits just below the Texas average of 19.8%.

Shortest-lived of its peers

Polk's 70.1-year life expectancy is the lowest among neighboring counties: it trails Reagan (73.9), Pecos (72.5), and all others in this survey. Despite having 48 primary care providers per 100K—competitive with peers—the county faces deeper health challenges.

Good provider access, unclear barriers

Polk County offers 48 primary care and 65 mental health providers per 100K, strong for a rural area. Yet with 19.0% uninsured, the county still misses significant portions of the population; deeper investigation into health behaviors, social determinants, and disease burden is needed.

Polk residents: check your options

If you're among Polk's 19% without insurance, coverage is within reach through Medicaid, CHIP, or marketplace plans. Visit healthcare.gov or your county health department to explore no-cost enrollment assistance.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Polk County

via RiskByCounty

Polk County faces above-average disaster risk

Polk County's composite risk score of 75.57 significantly exceeds the national average, classifying it as a relatively low-risk area by Texas standards but still a concern for residents. The county's southeastern location exposes it to hurricanes and severe storms.

Elevated risk among Texas counties

With a composite score of 75.57, Polk County ranks notably above Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it in the higher-risk tier statewide. Its Gulf proximity is a major factor in this elevated ranking.

Hotspot in Southeast Texas

Polk County (75.57) faces significantly higher risk than inland Rains County (14.09) but slightly less than its panhandle peers Potter (90.49) and Randall (86.77). Its position in the piney woods near the Gulf makes it uniquely vulnerable to hurricane-driven hazards.

Hurricanes and tornadoes lead the threats

Polk County faces exceptional hurricane risk (89.99) and tornado risk (87.47), making storm preparation critical for residents in this Gulf-adjacent county. Wildfire (75.54) and flood (63.80) risks round out a diverse hazard portfolio.

Invest in comprehensive hurricane protection

Polk County residents must prioritize hurricane coverage including wind and water damage protection, as standard homeowners policies often exclude or limit hurricane damage. Review flood coverage separately, as homeowners policies typically don't cover flood—federal NFIP or private flood insurance is essential.

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.