Polk County Demographics

A map of Polk County's Population by Race

Polk County, Wisconsin has an estimated population of 45,555, a slight increase from the 44,977 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 93.0% White, 3.4% Multiracial, 2.2% Hispanic, 0.8% Native American/Other, 0.5% Asian, and 0.2% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Polk County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Polk is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Wisconsin overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Polk County, that probability was 13.6% in 2020 and 13.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Polk County is ranked the 32nd most populous county in Wisconsin, out of 72 counties. Polk County was ranked the 33rd most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Polk County's White Population

42,344 residents of Polk County, or 93.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Polk County is considerably higher than in Wisconsin overall, where 78.6% of the population is White. Polk County ranks 14th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Polk County's White population has grown by an estimated 1.4%. White residents' share of Polk County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 93.0%.

Polk County is more White than neighboring Burnett County (89.6% White), St. Croix County (91.4% White), Chisago County (89.8% White), Barron County (90.8% White), and Washington County (77.2% White).

Polk County's Black Population

105 residents of Polk County, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Polk County is lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 5.9% of the population is Black. Polk County ranks 53rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Polk County's Black population has declined by an estimated 34.0%. Black residents' share of Polk County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Polk County is less Black than neighboring Burnett County (0.9% Black), St. Croix County (0.7% Black), Chisago County (1.2% Black), Barron County (1.3% Black), and Washington County (5.5% Black).

Polk County's Asian Population

207 residents of Polk County, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Polk County is slightly lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 2.9% of the population is Asian. Polk County ranks 43rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Polk County's Asian population has remained roughly the same. Asian residents' share of Polk County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Polk County is less Asian than neighboring St. Croix County (1.1% Asian), Chisago County (2% Asian), Barron County (0.6% Asian), and Washington County (7.7% Asian).

Polk County's Hispanic Population

1,008 residents of Polk County, or 2.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Polk County is lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 8% of the population is Hispanic. Polk County ranks 55th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Polk County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Polk County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.2%.

Polk County is more Hispanic than neighboring Burnett County (2% Hispanic). Polk County is less Hispanic than neighboring St. Croix County (3.1% Hispanic), Chisago County (2.8% Hispanic), Barron County (3.2% Hispanic), and Washington County (5.3% Hispanic).

Polk County's Native American/Other Population

343 residents of Polk County, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Polk County is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Polk County ranks 24th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Polk County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 32.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Polk County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Polk County is more Native American/Other than neighboring St. Croix County (0.5% Native American/Other), Barron County (0.6% Native American/Other), and Washington County (0.7% Native American/Other). Polk County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Burnett County (3.2% Native American/Other), and Chisago County (0.9% Native American/Other).

Polk County's Multiracial Population

1,548 residents of Polk County, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Polk County is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Polk County ranks 32nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Polk County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 11.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Polk County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.4%.

Polk County is more Multiracial than neighboring St. Croix County (3.3% Multiracial), and Chisago County (3.3% Multiracial). Polk County is less Multiracial than neighboring Burnett County (3.8% Multiracial), and Washington County (3.7% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.