Polk County
County
County of Polk
Polk County Courthouse in Osceola
Polk County Courthouse in Osceola
Map
Interactive map of Polk County
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Country United States
State Nebraska
EstablishedJanuary 26, 1856
OrganizedAugust 6, 1870
Named forJames K. Polk
County seatOsceola
Largest cityStromsburg
Area
 • Total441 sq mi (1,140 km2)
 • Land438 sq mi (1,130 km2)
 • Water2.3 sq mi (6 km2)  0.5%
Highest elevation
1,739 ft (530 m)
Lowest elevation
1,089 ft (332 m)
Population
 • Estimate 
(2021[1])
5,214
 • Density12.2/sq mi (4.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code402/531
FIPS code31143
GNIS feature ID835893
Websitewww.polkcounty.ne.gov

Polk County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 5,214.[1] Its county seat is Osceola.[2] The county was formed in 1856, and was organized in 1870.[3][4][5] It was named for President James K. Polk.[6]

In the Nebraska license plate system, Polk County is represented by the prefix 41 (it had the 41st-largest number of vehicles registered in the county when the license plate system was established in 1922).

Geography

The Platte River flows northeastward along the northwest boundary of Polk County. The lower portion of the county is drained by a local drainage, flowing east and east-northeastward into Butler County. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, dropping off to the river valley in the northern portion, and sloped to the east-southeast in the lower portion of the county. The county terrain is largely devoted to agriculture.[7][8]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 441 square miles (1,140 km2), of which 438 square miles (1,130 km2) is land and 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2) (0.5%) is water.[9]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
186019—
1870136615.8%
18806,8464,933.8%
189010,81758.0%
190010,542−2.5%
191010,521−0.2%
192010,7141.8%
193010,092−5.8%
19408,748−13.3%
19508,044−8.0%
19607,210−10.4%
19706,468−10.3%
19806,320−2.3%
19905,668−10.3%
20005,639−0.5%
20105,406−4.1%
20205,214−3.6%
2021 (est.)5,174[1]−0.8%
US Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2013[14]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[15] there were 5,639 people, 2,259 households, and 1,570 families in the county. The population density was 5/km2 (13/mi2). There were 2,717 housing units at an average density of 2/km2 (6/mi2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.92% White, 0.02% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races. 1.08% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,259 households, out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.90% were married couples living together, 4.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.97.

The county population contained 25.10% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 21.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 100.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,819, and the median income for a family was $45,081. Males had a median income of $30,286 versus $19,595 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,934. About 4.40% of families and 5.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.20% of those under age 18 and 4.70% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Politics

Polk County voters have been reliably Republican for several decades. In only one national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2020).

United States presidential election results for Polk County, Nebraska[16][17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 2,291 79.36% 530 18.36% 66 2.29%
2016 2,028 78.54% 413 16.00% 141 5.46%
2012 1,890 76.92% 528 21.49% 39 1.59%
2008 1,822 71.65% 668 26.27% 53 2.08%
2004 2,146 78.69% 549 20.13% 32 1.17%
2000 1,925 73.67% 610 23.34% 78 2.99%
1996 1,504 58.84% 750 29.34% 302 11.82%
1992 1,437 49.25% 661 22.65% 820 28.10%
1988 1,769 64.94% 944 34.65% 11 0.40%
1984 2,149 77.41% 610 21.97% 17 0.61%
1980 2,206 75.14% 538 18.32% 192 6.54%
1976 1,797 58.86% 1,190 38.98% 66 2.16%
1972 2,050 71.25% 827 28.75% 0 0.00%
1968 1,795 66.83% 690 25.69% 201 7.48%
1964 1,607 48.16% 1,730 51.84% 0 0.00%
1960 2,397 66.94% 1,184 33.06% 0 0.00%
1956 2,482 68.62% 1,135 31.38% 0 0.00%
1952 3,008 76.66% 916 23.34% 0 0.00%
1948 2,026 59.21% 1,396 40.79% 0 0.00%
1944 2,357 60.84% 1,517 39.16% 0 0.00%
1940 2,653 61.87% 1,635 38.13% 0 0.00%
1936 2,256 46.78% 2,519 52.23% 48 1.00%
1932 1,636 35.35% 2,939 63.50% 53 1.15%
1928 3,096 67.17% 1,494 32.41% 19 0.41%
1924 2,354 56.49% 1,229 29.49% 584 14.01%
1920 2,393 63.80% 1,236 32.95% 122 3.25%
1916 1,060 38.29% 1,600 57.80% 108 3.90%
1912 485 19.43% 996 39.90% 1,015 40.67%
1908 1,171 44.31% 1,264 47.82% 208 7.87%
1904 1,235 51.91% 239 10.05% 905 38.04%
1900 1,023 41.25% 1,376 55.48% 81 3.27%

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Bureau, US Census. "County Population Totals: 2020-2021". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Fitzpatrick, Lilian Linder (1925). Nebraska Place-Names. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Studies in Language, Literature, and Criticism. p. 116. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  4. ^ "Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey Reconnaissance Survey Final Report of Polk County, Nebraska". Nebraska State Historical Society. August 1, 1992. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  5. ^ "Polk County". Nebraska Association of County Officials. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  6. ^ "Polk County". Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved March 7, 2010. Retrieved on March 15, 2008.
  7. ^ Polk County NE Google Maps (accessed 27 January 2019)
  8. ^ ""Find Altitude" Google Maps (accessed 27 January 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  9. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  10. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  12. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  13. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  14. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. ^ Election Results
  17. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 784 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 142 votes and Prohibition Eugene Chafin received 89 votes.

41°11′N 97°34′W / 41.19°N 97.57°W / 41.19; -97.57

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