Polk County, Georgia
County in Georgia, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Polk County is a county in the Northwest region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 42,853.[1] The county seat is Cedartown.[2] The county was created on December 20, 1851, by an act of the Georgia General Assembly and named after James K. Polk, the eleventh President of the United States.[3] Polk County comprises the Cedartown, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Polk County, Georgia | |
|---|---|
Polk County Courthouse in Cedartown | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Georgia | |
| Coordinates: 34°00′N 85°11′W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Georgia |
| Founded | December 20, 1851 |
| Named for | James K. Polk |
| Seat | Cedartown |
| Largest city | Cedartown |
| Area | |
• Total | 312 sq mi (810 km2) |
| • Land | 310 sq mi (800 km2) |
| • Water | 1.8 sq mi (4.7 km2) 0.6% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 42,853 |
• Estimate (2025) | 45,514  |
| • Density | 140/sq mi (53/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 14th |
| Website | www |
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 312 square miles (810 km2), of which 310 square miles (800 km2) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2) (0.6%) is water.[4] Much of the county is also covered in rolling hills and small mountains, most of which are part of the Piedmont Plateau and the Ridge-and-Valley mountains, which are both smaller sections of the larger Appalachian Mountains. The highest of these small mountains is Shorty Mountain near the unincorporated community of Etna with an elevation of 1,610 ft (491 m) above sea level. The most prominent mountain in the county (as well as the fifth-highest) is Signal Mountain in Rockmart with a prominence of 360 ft (110 m) and an elevation of 1,290 ft (393 m) above sea level.[5]
Most of eastern Polk County, centered on Rockmart, is located in the Etowah River sub-basin of the ACT River Basin (Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin), while most of western Polk County, centered on Cedartown, is located in the Upper Coosa River sub-basin of the same ACT River Basin. Small slivers of the southern edges of the county are located in the Upper Tallapoosa River sub-basin of the same larger ACT River Basin.[6]
Major highways
Adjacent counties
- Floyd County – north
- Bartow County – northeast
- Paulding County – east
- Haralson County – south
- Cleburne County, Alabama – southwest
- Cherokee County, Alabama – west
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 6,295 | — | |
| 1870 | 7,822 | 24.3% | |
| 1880 | 11,952 | 52.8% | |
| 1890 | 14,945 | 25.0% | |
| 1900 | 17,856 | 19.5% | |
| 1910 | 20,203 | 13.1% | |
| 1920 | 20,357 | 0.8% | |
| 1930 | 25,141 | 23.5% | |
| 1940 | 28,467 | 13.2% | |
| 1950 | 30,976 | 8.8% | |
| 1960 | 28,015 | −9.6% | |
| 1970 | 29,656 | 5.9% | |
| 1980 | 32,386 | 9.2% | |
| 1990 | 33,815 | 4.4% | |
| 2000 | 38,127 | 12.8% | |
| 2010 | 41,475 | 8.8% | |
| 2020 | 42,853 | 3.3% | |
| 2025 (est.) | 45,514 | [7] | 6.2% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790-1880[9] 1890-1910[10] 1920-1930[11] 1930-1940[12] 1940-1950[13] 1960-1980[14] 1980-2000[15] 2010[16] | |||
Racial and ethnic composition
| Race / ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[17] | Pop 1990[18] | Pop 2000[19] | Pop 2010[20] | Pop 2020[21] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 27,264 | 28,413 | 29,684 | 30,492 | 30,161 | 84.18% | 84.02% | 77.86% | 73.52% | 70.38% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 4,786 | 4,772 | 5,073 | 5,150 | 5,119 | 14.78% | 14.11% | 13.31% | 12.42% | 11.95% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 13 | 58 | 68 | 73 | 101 | 0.04% | 0.17% | 0.18% | 0.18% | 0.24% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 38 | 87 | 118 | 270 | 239 | 0.12% | 0.26% | 0.31% | 0.65% | 0.56% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x [22] | x [23] | 7 | 16 | 21 | x | x | 0.02% | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 11 | 2 | 27 | 53 | 156 | 0.03% | 0.01% | 0.07% | 0.13% | 0.36% |
| Mixed-race or multiracial (NH) | x [24] | x [25] | 229 | 536 | 1,471 | x | x | 0.60% | 1.29% | 3.43% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 274 | 483 | 2,921 | 4,885 | 5,585 | 0.85% | 1.43% | 7.66% | 11.78% | 13.03% |
| Total | 32,386 | 33,815 | 38,127 | 41,475 | 42,853 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 42,853 people, 15,999 households, and 10,151 families residing in the county.[26] 48.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 52.0% lived in rural areas.[27]
The median age was 39.0 years, 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18, and 16.9% were 65 years of age or older; for every 100 females there were 94.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.1 males age 18 and over.[26]
The racial makeup of the county was 72.9% White, 12.2% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 7.8% from some other race, and 5.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 13.0% of the population.[28]
Of the 15,999 households in the county, 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 28.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[26]
There were 17,274 housing units, of which 7.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 65.7% were owner-occupied and 34.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.0%.[26]
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 41,475 people, 15,092 households, and 10,908 families living in the county.[29] The population density was 133.6 inhabitants per square mile (51.6/km2). There were 16,908 housing units at an average density of 54.5 per square mile (21.0/km2).[30] The racial makeup of the county was 77.1% white, 12.5% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 7.5% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 11.8% of the population.[29] In terms of ancestry, 17.2% were English, 15.2% were American, 13.0% were Irish, and 5.3% were German.[31]
Of the 15,092 households, 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.7% were non-families, and 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.20. The median age was 36.2 years.[29]
The median income for a household in the county was $38,646 and the median income for a family was $43,172. Males had a median income of $37,070 versus $27,758 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,214. About 15.6% of families and 19.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.4% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.[32]
2000 census
As of the census[33] of 2000, there were 38,127 people, 14,012 households, and 10,340 families living in the county. The population density was 122 inhabitants per square mile (47/km2). There were 15,059 housing units at an average density of 48 per square mile (19/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 80.52% White, 13.34% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.62% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. 7.66% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 14,012 households, out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.90% were married couples living together, 13.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.20% were non-families. 22.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.10% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.20 males. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there were 95.70 men.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,328, and the median income for a family was $37,847. Males had a median income of $29,985 versus $21,452 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,617. About 11.20% of families and 15.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.70% of those under age 18 and 12.60% of those age 65 or over.
Recreation
Media
Communities
Cities
- Aragon
- Braswell (mainly in Paulding County)
- Cedartown (county seat)
- Rockmart
- Taylorsville (partly in Bartow County)
Politics
As of the 2020s, Polk County is a strongly Republican voting county, voting 80% for Donald Trump in 2024. For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Polk County is part of Georgia's 14th congressional district, currently represented by Clay Fuller. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Polk County is part of District 31.[35] For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Polk County is part of District 16.[36]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 36 | 2.81% | 706 | 55.11% | 539 | 42.08% |
| 1916 | 0 | 0.00% | 1,172 | 62.18% | 713 | 37.82% |
| 1920 | 1,004 | 60.41% | 658 | 39.59% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 481 | 33.38% | 803 | 55.73% | 157 | 10.90% |
| 1928 | 1,462 | 62.27% | 886 | 37.73% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 211 | 8.86% | 2,170 | 91.14% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 389 | 12.36% | 2,754 | 87.51% | 4 | 0.13% |
| 1940 | 401 | 12.92% | 2,693 | 86.76% | 10 | 0.32% |
| 1944 | 463 | 14.65% | 2,698 | 85.35% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 491 | 13.25% | 2,918 | 78.74% | 297 | 8.01% |
| 1952 | 1,299 | 22.61% | 4,447 | 77.39% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 2,098 | 31.79% | 4,502 | 68.21% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 1,746 | 28.64% | 4,351 | 71.36% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 3,282 | 41.86% | 4,555 | 58.10% | 3 | 0.04% |
| 1968 | 1,729 | 21.68% | 2,007 | 25.16% | 4,240 | 53.16% |
| 1972 | 4,929 | 78.91% | 1,317 | 21.09% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 1,944 | 24.12% | 6,115 | 75.88% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 2,949 | 34.44% | 5,421 | 63.31% | 192 | 2.24% |
| 1984 | 5,435 | 62.49% | 3,262 | 37.51% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 5,454 | 64.46% | 2,977 | 35.18% | 30 | 0.35% |
| 1992 | 4,158 | 38.98% | 4,872 | 45.67% | 1,638 | 15.35% |
| 1996 | 4,130 | 43.25% | 4,298 | 45.01% | 1,122 | 11.75% |
| 2000 | 5,841 | 57.74% | 4,112 | 40.65% | 163 | 1.61% |
| 2004 | 8,467 | 68.17% | 3,868 | 31.14% | 85 | 0.68% |
| 2008 | 9,850 | 69.60% | 4,052 | 28.63% | 251 | 1.77% |
| 2012 | 9,811 | 71.89% | 3,615 | 26.49% | 222 | 1.63% |
| 2016 | 11,014 | 77.16% | 2,867 | 20.08% | 394 | 2.76% |
| 2020 | 13,587 | 78.09% | 3,657 | 21.02% | 155 | 0.89% |
| 2024 | 15,352 | 80.08% | 3,749 | 19.56% | 70 | 0.37% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 13,282 | 77.06% | 3,537 | 20.52% | 416 | 2.41% |
| 2020 | 11,546 | 77.75% | 3,305 | 22.25% | 0 | 0.00% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 6,942 | 40.75% | 2,331 | 13.68% | 7,762 | 45.57% |
| 2020 | 11,525 | 77.61% | 3,325 | 22.39% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 2022 | 10,426 | 76.87% | 2,794 | 20.60% | 343 | 2.53% |
| 2022 | 9,506 | 79.37% | 2,471 | 20.63% | 0 | 0.00% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2022 | 11,117 | 81.50% | 2,427 | 17.79% | 96 | 0.70% |