countyscore
52.4
County Score
Income & Jobs 77.2Schools 77.2Health 70.7

County Report Card

About Polk County, Wisconsin

Above the National Average

Polk County earns a composite score of 51.7, placing it comfortably above the national median of 50.0. This score indicates a quality of life that exceeds half of the counties in the United States.

A Strong Wisconsin Performer

At 51.7, Polk County outperforms the Wisconsin state average of 50.3. It maintains a competitive edge in the region, offering a balanced lifestyle compared to many of its neighbors.

High Incomes and Great Schools

The county excels in education and earning potential with a school score of 77.2 and an income score of 78.8. A median household income of $76,208 supports a high standard of living for local families.

Tax and Cost Pressures

High taxes and housing costs present the biggest hurdles, with a tax score of 24.6 and a cost score of 27.3. The effective tax rate of 1.222% is a significant factor for those on a fixed budget.

Ideal for Working Families

Polk County is an excellent fit for established professionals and families who value high-performing schools and strong income levels. The higher cost of living is offset by the quality of local education and community health.

204060801002729.360.970.777.277.236.74449.5Tax27Cost29.3Safety60.9Health70.7Schools77.2Income77.2Risk36.7Water44Weather49.552.4/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Polk County DNA

Foverall

How Polk County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Polk County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (77.2/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (27/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
27-25
Cost
29.3-18.7
Safety
60.9
Health
70.7+20.700000000000003
Schools
77.2+23.200000000000003
Income
77.2+26.200000000000003
Risk
36.7-10.299999999999997
Water
44-14
Weather
49.5
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Polk County?

Many homeowners in Polk County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$271,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$957/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$271,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$38,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $77,219/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

19.9

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

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Compare Polk County with Blount County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

Chisago County
Minnesota
46.1
Burnett County
Wisconsin
47.8
St. Croix County
Wisconsin
50.9
Isanti County
Minnesota
43.7
Washington County
Minnesota
47.5
Pine County
Minnesota
47
Anoka County
Minnesota
43.5
Barron County
Wisconsin
51.5

Deep Dives

Polk County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Polk County

via TaxByCounty

Polk County taxes run light nationally

At 1.222%, Polk County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 1.700%, placing it in the lower third of U.S. counties. The median property tax here is $2,947, compared to the national median of $2,690—a difference explained by regional assessment practices rather than rates.

Among Wisconsin's most affordable rates

Polk County ranks in the bottom third statewide with an effective rate of 1.222%, below Wisconsin's 1.436% average. This means homeowners here pay roughly $134 less in annual property taxes than the typical Wisconsin household.

Lower than most regional peers

Polk County's 1.222% rate beats neighboring Barron County and outpaces Portage County (1.474%). Among nearby counties, only Rusk County (1.207%) edges lower, making Polk competitive for property tax burdens in northwestern Wisconsin.

Median home costs $2,947 annually

A typical Polk County home valued at $241,200 carries an annual property tax bill of $2,947. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $2,953 in tax, while those owning free-and-clear average $2,935.

Your assessment might be negotiable

Many Wisconsin homeowners pay property taxes on inflated home valuations. If your home's assessed value seems high compared to recent sales in your neighborhood, a formal appeal during the annual assessment review period could lower your bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Polk County

via IncomeByCounty

Polk outearns the nation

Polk County households earn $76,208 annually, edging out the national median of $74,755 by 1.9%. This places Polk County above the typical American household, signaling a strong economic foundation in the region.

Top third in Wisconsin

At $76,208, Polk County ranks solidly above Wisconsin's state median of $71,715—a $4,493 advantage that reflects economic resilience. This positions Polk in the upper tier of Wisconsin's 72 counties by household income.

Outpacing regional peers

Polk's median income surpasses nearby Rusk County ($58,322) by 30.5% and Price County ($58,720) by 29.7%. Among its immediate neighbors, Polk commands one of the strongest income profiles in northwest Wisconsin.

Rent stays manageable here

At 15.1% of household income, Polk County's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the national affordability threshold of 28-30%. With a median home value of $241,200, homeownership remains accessible for many households earning the county median.

Build wealth beyond the paycheck

Polk County's per capita income of $39,402 provides a solid platform for saving and investing. Consider maximizing retirement contributions and diversifying assets—your above-average income gives you real capacity to grow long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Polk County

via CrimeByCounty

Polk County Surpasses National Safety Standards

Polk County reports a total crime rate of 901.9 per 100,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This impressive performance earns the county a high safety score of 98.6 out of 100.

A Top Performer in Wisconsin Safety

With a total crime rate well below the Wisconsin average of 1,103.1, Polk stands out as one of the safer regions in the state. Its safety score of 98.6 slightly exceeds the statewide average of 98.3.

Safe and Quiet Compared to Neighbors

Polk maintains a crime rate of 901.9, outperforming several neighbors like Sauk County, which sees over 1,600 incidents per 100,000 people. It remains a tranquil alternative to the busier southeastern corridors.

Property Crimes Lead Local Incidents

Property crime accounts for 731.3 incidents per 100,000, while the violent crime rate is 170.6. These figures suggest that while crime is low, local incidents are primarily non-violent in nature.

Maintain Your High Standard of Safety

Even in safe areas like Polk, basic security measures like motion-sensor lighting and smart locks deter opportunistic theft. Staying informed through local reporting helps residents maintain this community's security.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Polk County

via WeatherByCounty

Cool Western Border Climate

Polk County averages 43.9°F annually, sitting about 10 degrees lower than the national median. It experiences the sharp seasonal transitions typical of the American Midwest.

Matching the State Average

The county's 43.9°F average is almost perfectly aligned with the Wisconsin state average of 44.4°F. It experiences slightly less precipitation than the state norm, with 32.6 inches annually.

Mid-Range for the Region

Polk is warmer than Oneida (40.3°F) and Pierce (42.8°F), but cooler than Ozaukee (46.7°F). It offers a balanced climate compared to its more extreme northern neighbors.

Standard Snow and Warm Julys

Winter brings 51.9 inches of snow and a 16.6°F average. Summer features a July average of 70.7°F and roughly 6 days of extreme heat over 90°F.

Ready for Heavy Snowfall

Residents must prepare for over 50 inches of snow and January lows of 13.0°F. Reliable heating and winter tires are essential for safely navigating this western border county.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Polk County

via SoilByCounty

Loamy Mollisols define the Polk landscape

Polk County features a loam texture classified under the Mollisols taxonomic order. With an average pH of 5.17, these soils are significantly more acidic than the national median of 6.5 and fall below the Wisconsin average of 5.63.

A sandy loam mix for easy working

The soil composition is 51.0% sand, 29.0% silt, and 8.4% clay. This high sand content ensures the ground is easy to work and provides decent aeration for root systems.

High organic matter fuels plant growth

Polk boasts an impressive 10.72% organic matter content, which is five times higher than the national average. While its available water capacity of 0.187 in/in is slightly below the state average of 0.204, the rich organic levels support strong growing potential.

Well-drained soils favor active farming

The county's soils are primarily well-drained and fall into hydrologic group B. This combination means water moves through the profile effectively, reducing the risk of ponding during heavy Wisconsin rains.

Hardy gardens thrive in Zone 4b

Located in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b, Polk County is ideal for cold-hardy vegetables and fruit trees. Gardeners should consider adding lime to balance the 5.17 pH for optimal nutrient uptake in their backyard plots.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Polk County

via LawnByCounty

Moderately Easy Lawn Care in Polk County

With a lawn difficulty score of 59.1, Polk County sits just below the Wisconsin average of 64.4 but remains easier than the national median of 50.0. The USDA Hardiness Zone 4b climate means homeowners must select turf that survives harsh, sub-zero winters.

Cold Winters and Moderate Summer Heat

The county receives 32.6 inches of annual precipitation, slightly trailing the state average of 34.5 inches. With only 6 extreme heat days per year and 2,440 growing degree days, your grass enjoys a balanced summer growth cycle without excessive thermal stress.

Acidic Soil Requires Strategic Lime

The soil pH of 5.17 is significantly lower than the ideal 6.0 to 7.0 range, requiring lime applications to unlock essential nutrients. Because the loam is 51% sand and well-drained, it prevents root rot but may require more frequent watering during dry spells.

Managing Seasonal Dryness in Northwest Wisconsin

Lawns faced 12 weeks of drought over the past year, and 72% of the county currently experiences abnormally dry conditions. Focus on deep, infrequent watering early in the morning to maintain root health while conserving local water resources.

Best Grasses for Polk’s Growing Season

Kentucky Bluegrass and Fine Fescue thrive here, especially when seeded after the last spring frost on May 5th. Aim to establish new sod or seed well before the first fall frost arrives on October 4th to ensure winter survival.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Polk County's county score?
Polk County, Wisconsin has a composite county score of 52.4 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Polk County rank among counties in Wisconsin?
Polk County ranks #31 among all counties in Wisconsin on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Polk County, Wisconsin?
The median annual property tax in Polk County is $3,075, with an effective tax rate of 1.13%. This earns Polk County a tax score of 27/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Polk County?
The median household income in Polk County, Wisconsin is $77,219 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Polk County earns an income score of 77.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Polk County, Wisconsin a good place to live?
Polk County scores 52.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #31 in Wisconsin. The best way to evaluate Polk County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Polk County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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