Polk
Minnesota

What stands out

Three things set Polk County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the average temperature is in the bottom 3% of American counties (41°F), violent crime is in the bottom 8% of American counties (3.0 per 1,000), and population growth is in the bottom 10% of American counties (-1.0% a year). Within Minnesota it ranks 19th of 87 counties for the average temperature, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Polk County, Minnesota. 31,128 people live here with you. The population shrank 1.0% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -288).

Minnesota has a graduated income tax that reaches 9.85%, taxes Social Security above income thresholds, and has an estate tax with a $3 million exemption. In exchange it ranks near the top in health outcomes, school results and household income, and the Twin Cities metro holds more Fortune 500 headquarters per capita than any other. Winters are long and cold.

Money

The typical household here brings in $69,540 a year, higher than 73% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $54,723. Unemployment runs 3.0%, lower than 67% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 17 minutes each way.

Minnesota takes 6.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,246 a year.

Home

The median home costs $250K, pricier than 56% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $820 a month. Property tax is 0.96% of home value, roughly $1,967 a year on that median home, higher than 57% of American counties. 72% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.0 per 1,000 residents, lower than 92% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 9 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.4 years, longer than 68% of American counties. There are 26 active physicians in the county, about 8.4 per 10,000 people. 6.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.13 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 76% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 16 points. 67% of eligible voters turned out. Under Minnesota law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 41°F, highs near 52 and lows near 31, colder than 97% of American counties. About 20 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 60 out of 100, riskier than 60% of American counties; the county has had 31 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 193 Mbps down, slower than 53% of American counties. There are 10 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.