Polk County
Community Profile
96th in order of
county creation
December 20, 1851
Prepared for Polk County Cooperative Extension
by the Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development
The University of Georgia • Athens, GA
Total Population
Polk County
2015 CAED Trend
45,289
42,953
42,018
38,127
33,815
32,386
29,656
28,015
30,976
2010 CAED Trend
2008 Estimate
2000
1990
1980
1970
1960
1950
28,467
25,141
1940
1930
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
Primary data sources: U.S. Census Bureau, decennial censuses & estimate; CAED TREND revised 3/09
(Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development).
Population Composition by Age
Polk County
100%
4.1
13.5
65 +
45-64
20-44
5-19
<5
5.7
8.3
13.2
20.9
20.4
22.3
32.9
36.0
26.1
22.4
- 1.0
22.2
+ 1.9
36.7
30.6
33.2
14.2
13.1
15.1
21.1
38.3
9.9
Change in
proportion
1990-2000
30.1
29.2
29.8
28.7
35.6
21.8
10.9
12.5
10.9
9.4
7.0
7.1
7.2
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
0%
2008 Estimated Median Age
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau
Polk Co. = 34.5 yrs.
- 0.4
- 0.6
+ 0.1
GA = 34.9 yrs.
2008 County Population Comparisons
Total
Total
Rank
Density
per sq.mi.
land area
% Chg.
2000-08
Rank of
% Chg.
POLK
42,018
48
135.0
10.2
66
BARTOW
94,913
26
206.6
24.9
23
FLOYD
95,980
24
187.0
6.0
92
HARALSON
28,979
59
102.7
12.8
53
PAULDING
133,135
15
424.8
63.2
2
CARROLL
113,688
19
227.9
30.3
18
CHATTOOGA
26,801
67
85.5
5.2
97
County
Primary data source: U. S. Census Bureau (3/09)
Population Change: 1930-2000
30
25
Percentage Change
20
15
10
5
0
-5
-10
-15
1930-40
1940-50
U.S.
1950-60
1960-70
Georgia
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial censuses
1970-80
1980-90
1990-2000
Polk Co.
Components of Population Change
Natural Increase & Net Migration*
2000-2008
Numerical
Change*
2000-2008
# Natural
Increase
(Births-Deaths)
2000-2008
# Net
Migration
2007-08
1-yr Natural
Increase
Rate
2007-08
1 yr Net
Migration
Rate
POLK
3,891
2,084
1,994
6.7
8.1
BARTOW
18,894
6,532
12,729
8.7
16.7
FLOYD
5,415
3,408
2,484
4.4
1.6
HARALSON
3,289
770
2,608
2.1
6.1
PAULDING
51,533
10,879
40,913
11.5
31.7
CARROLL
26,420
6,277
20,454
8.3
8.4
CHATTOOGA
1,331
337
1,112
0.8
-1.1
Avg. County
9,427
3,806
4,941
5.3
5.9
1,498,932
605,129
785,691
8.3
8.7
Area
GEORGIA
Primary data source:
U. S. Census Bureau (3/09)
* Numerical change includes “residual” not represented in either NI or NM.
Population Change: 2000-2008
LOSS
0 – 7.2%
7.2 – 18.3%
18.3 – 36%
36 – 70.8%
Avg. GA
County = 11.2%
GA = 18.3%
US = 7.2%
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau (3/09)
Selected Vital Statistics
2007 Rates
17.8
Total births per 1,000 pop
15.8
47.5
Unwed per 100 total births
43.8
Teen pregnancy per 1,000
females age 10-19
58.3
35.3
10.7
Deaths per 1,000 pop
7.1
Induced terminations per
1,000 females age 15-44
9.5
Low birth weight per 100
births
9.4
Infant deaths per 1,000 births
14.9
9.1
7.1
Polk Co.
Georgia
8.4
10-yr. rates 1998-2007
2007 Polk Co. Natality Data
2007 Polk Co. Mortality Data
738 total births, 348 unwed births 444 total deaths
78 induced terminations
4 infant deaths
149 teen pregnancies
69 low birth weight babies
Primary data source: GA Dept. Public Health, OASIS
Highest Level of Educational Attainment: 2000
3.9
Grad or Prof Degree
8.3
4.1
Bachelor's degree
16.0
3.3
Associate degree
5.2
16.9
Some college, no degree
20.4
35.1
HS Grad
28.7
22.0
9th-12th no diploma
Polk Co.
Georgia
13.8
14.8
< 9th grade
7.6
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Percent of Persons Age 25+
Polk Co.
Not completing HS = 36.7%
With a bachelor’s + degree = 8.0%
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau
Selected Public School Statistics
School Year 2007-08
56.0
57.6
Teachers w/adv degrees
50.9
College prep certif
75.4
34.5
38.5
HOPE Eligible
70.0
Class '08 Grad Rate
75.4
6.0
9.0
Gifted
16.0
11.2
Special Ed
55.4
51.0
Econ Disadvantaged
5.0
4.1
Retained in grade
Polk Co.
Georgia
11.1
9.5
6.5
3.6
Absent >15 days
HS Dropout rate
0
10
Primary data source:
Governor’s Office of Student Achievement
20
30
40
50
Percentage
60
70
80
Polk Co.
K12 enrollment = 7,149
HS dropouts = 133
General Fund Expenditures per FTE = $7,781
Per Capita Income: 2002-2007
$40,000
$35,000
$30,000
$25,000
$20,000
$15,000
$10,000
$5,000
$0
2002
2003
2004
Polk Co.
2007 PCI
Polk Co. = $23,191
Primary data source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (5/09)
2005
Georgia
2006
2007
US
Georgia = $33,499
US = $38,615
Per Capita Income: 2002-2007
Percentage Change
8
Percentage
6
4
2
0
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
Polk Co.
Primary data source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (5/09)
2005-2006
Georgia
2006-2007
US
Per Capita Income: 2007
PCI
Rank of
PCI
% PCI of
GA Total
% Change
in PCI
2002-2007
POLK
$23,191
112
69.2
17.4
BARTOW
$28,443
36
84.9
9.4
FLOYD
$29,199
32
87.2
15.9
HARALSON
$26,556
59
79.3
21.9
PAULDING
$29,539
29
88.2
25.7
CARROLL
$26,878
53
80.2
18.0
CHATTOOGA
$20,481
150
61.1
8.3
GA Avg. Co.
$26,299
--
78.5
17.1
County
Primary data source: U. S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (5/09)
Median Household Income
2008 Model-Based Estimates
US
$52,029
GEORGIA
$50,834
GA Avg. Co.
$41,186
$39,067
POLK
$51,762
BARTOW
FLOYD
$41,865
HARALSON
$39,707
$64,598
PAULDING
$47,307
CARROLL
$34,249
CHATTOOGA
$0
$10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000
Primary data source: U. S. Census Bureau (11/09)
Transfer Receipts: 2007
Polk Co. Total = $252,525,000
36.8
35.3
Retirement/Disab
26.4
Medicare
23.2
17.2
16.6
Pub Med Assist
Supp Sec Inc
2.6
2.4
Family Assist
0.4
0.5
2.1
2.6
Food Stamps
Polk Co.
Georgia
6.4
7.0
Other Inc Maint
1.3
1.6
2.3
3.4
4.5
Unemp
Veteran Benefit
All Other
Polk Co.
$6,102 per capita
transfer receipts
26.3% of total personal income
6.6% change in total 2006-2007
7.3
0
5
10
15
20
Percentage
Primary data source: Bureau of Economic Analysis (5/09)
25
30
35
40
Persons Living Below Poverty Level
2008 Model-Based Estimates
# of
Persons
% of all
Persons
Rank
of %
POLK
6,722
16.4
55
BARTOW
11,790
12.6
27
FLOYD
16,862
18.4
73
HARALSON
5,474
19.2
82
PAULDING
10,100
7.7
6
CARROLL
17,426
15.9
53
CHATTOOGA
4,470
17.9
70
GA Avg. Co.
8,736
19.1
--
County
Primary data source: U. S. Census Bureau (11/09)
Persons Living Below the Poverty Level
2008 Model-Based Estimates
4.7 – 13.7%
13.7 – 17.8%
17.8 – 21.1%
21.1 – 24.8%
24.8 – 35.2%
Weighted
average poverty
threshold for a
family household
of 4 persons in
2008 = $22,025
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau (11/09)
Georgia
1,388,959
persons
14.7%
------------US = 13.2%
Unemployment Rates
Rate per 100 in Labor Force
7
Polk Co.
Georgia
U. S.
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1999
2000
2001
2008 Rates
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Labor
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Polk Co. = 6.3
GA = 6.2
Avg. GA County = 6.9
2007
2008
US = 5.8
Business Establishments, Employment and Wages
Polk Co. 2008 Annual Averages, % of Total
Estab
Emp
Wages
Goods Producing
Agriculture, Mining,
Construction,
Manufacturing
Service Providing
Government
Retail-Wholesale Trade, Transportation-Warehousing,
Information, Finance-Insurance-Real Estate,
Professional-SciTech Serv., Admin-Waste Serv., HealthSocial Serv., Accommodation-Food Serv., & others
# Establishments = 694
Federal,
State,
Local
2008 Averages
Monthly Employment = 11,891 Weekly Wage = $588
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Labor
Selected Employment Comparisons by Industry: 2008
Total GOODS
Producing
Agriculture
0.0
0.6
Construction
4.4
5.1
Manufacturing
Total SERVICE
Providing
Wholesale trade
Retail trade
Transp-warehous
Information
Fin/Ins/RE
Prof-Sci-Tech
Adm-Waste svc
Health-Soc Svcs
Accomo-Food svc
RE&Rent&Lease
Total
GOVERNMENT
30.6
10.1
0.0
35.3
16.0
5.4
48.5
66.6
12.6
11.5
2.6
4.0
0.0
2.7
1.9
3.9
0.9
5.7
5.0
6.8
4.7
9.5
7.6
8.7
0.6
1.5
Polk Co.
Georgia
16.2
17.1
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Labor (zero may indicate no employment in sector, or undisclosed data.
Farm Gate Value by Commodity Group: 2008
Polk Co. Total Value = $29,974,844
Poultry-Egg
65.7%
Other
3.5%
Ornamental
Horticulture
0.3%
Veges
0.1%
Forestry
3.3%
Livestock
18.5%
Row-Forage crops
8.6%
Primary data source: Center for Agribusiness & Economic Development, UGA (5/09)
Components of Gross Property Tax Digest: 2008
Polk Co. Gross Digest (40% Value) = $1,090,504,956
46.0
42.4
Residential
11.4
24.5
Ag/Pref/Environ
8.2
13.0
12.6
Commercial
6.9
6.7
Industrial
Utility
4.8
3.2
Motor Vehicle
20.3
9.9
10.5
8.6
7.1
6.3
0.5
1.0
Mobile Home
0.4
0.1
Timber
0.7
0.14
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Revenue (preliminary avg. and total)
Polk Co.
GA Avg. Co.
GA Total
54.8
County Property Tax Digest Comparisons: 2008
County
% Resi- % Agri- % Comdential cultural mercial
% Industrial
% Mo%
%
% UtilMotor bile
Timity
Veh Home ber
POLK
46.0
11.4
13.0
9.9
10.5
8.6
0.5 0.09
BARTOW
FLOYD
HARALSON
PAULDING
CARROLL
CHATTOOGA
GEORGIA
Avg. GA Co.
45.7
45.1
43.9
74.0
52.4
39.0
54.9
42.4
8.4
7.1
24.1
5.1
6.7
23.6
6.8
23.8
16.6
17.9
10.7
10.7
17.9
8.9
22.2
12.7
14.2 7.6
11.1 11.2
6.9 4.4
1.2 1.7
11.2 3.0
17.5 2.6
6.3 3.2
7.0 5.0
7.0
7.1
8.8
7.2
8.3
7.2
6.0
7.2
0.4
0.5
0.9
0.1
0.4
1.0
0.4
1.1
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Revenue (preliminary avg. and total)
0.07
0.09
0.22
0.02
0.08
0.10
0.2
0.9
Millage Rates, Taxes Levied, & Sales Tax Rate
’08
Countywide
Millage*
POLK
’08 School
Millage*
’08 Taxes
Levied*
($000)
Sales Tax
Rate as of
LOST
Type*
10/09
as of 10/09
33.90
15.28
$29,840
3
LSE
BARTOW
28.27
17.90
$87,303
3
LSE
FLOYD
29.72
18.59
$90,907
3
LSE
HARALSON
31.13
15.83
$22,788
3
LSE
PAULDING
32.44
21.87
$130,850
3
LSE
CARROLL
31.55
18.10
$80,418
3
LSE
CHATTOOGA
23.35
9.77
$11,403
3
LSE
County
*Countywide Includes .250 state millage. School includes bonds, if any. Taxes
levied, but not necessarily collected. Sales Tax: 4% State not included; L=Local
Option, S=Special Purpose, E=Educational
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Revenue
Retail Sales Analysis: 2008
Polk Co. Total Retail Sales = $356,078,000
0.67
Total Retail Sales
Health-Personal Care
1.69
Bldg Mat-garden equip-supplies
0.64
Gas stations
0.76
0.40
Motor Vehicle-parts
Furniture-Home Furn-Appliance
0.37
0.15
Clothing & Accessories
General Merchandise
0.93
Food Services-Drinking Places
0.56
Food-Beverage Stores
1.07
0
1
2
Pull Factor
A “pull factor” of 1.0 means that the county’s sales are what would be expected
based upon the number of residents and their relative wealth.
Primary data sources: “Demographics USA, County Edition, 2008;” pull factor calculations by Center for
Agribusiness and Economic Development.
Commuting to Work: 2000
Percentage of:
Residents working in
county
55.2
Residents working
out of county
44.8
Workers coming into
county
26.3
Residents driving to
work alone
75.2
Residents carpooling
Residents working at
home
20.7
1.9
Resident workers 16+ = 15,552
Residents working in county = 8,582
Residents working out of county = 6,970
Total working in county = 11,637
Workers commuting into county = 3,055
Polk County
Mean travel time to work = 30.0 min.
Ratio of IN to OUT = 0.44
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau
This study was developed to assist
community leadership with their
future planning and decision making.
Special Area Report
# 1001
January 2010
Prepared for Polk County Cooperative Extension
by Susan R. Boatright
Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
The University of Georgia • Athens, GA
Georgia Cooperative Extension
706-542-0760 • 706-542-8938
To learn more about your county, click on
“Georgia Statistics System” at our website:
www.caed.uga.edu