Polk County, Wisconsin

Polk County
Polk County
U.S. county
	Polk County Highway Department in Balsam Lake
	Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
	Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
	Coordinates: 45°28′N 92°26′W / 45.46°N 92.44°W
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
Founded	1853
Named for	James K. Polk
Seat	Balsam Lake
Largest city	Amery
Area
• Total	956 sq mi (2,480 km2)
• Land	914 sq mi (2,370 km2)
• Water	42 sq mi (110 km2) 4.4%%
Population (2010)
• Total	44,205
• Estimate (2020)	43,794
• Density	46/sq mi (18/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	7th
Website	www.co.polk.wi.us

Polk County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2010 census, the population was 44,205.^[2] Its county seat is Balsam Lake.^[3] The county was created in 1853.^[4]

Geography[]

Soils of Polk County^[5]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 956 square miles (2,480 km²), of which 914 square miles (2,370 km²) is land and 42 square miles (110 km²) (4.4%) is water.^[6]

Adjacent counties[]

Burnett County - north
Barron County - east
Dunn County - southeast
St. Croix County - south
Washington County, Minnesota - southwest
Chisago County, Minnesota - west

Major highways[]

U.S. Highway 8
U.S. Highway 63
Highway 35 (Wisconsin)
Highway 46 (Wisconsin)
Highway 48 (Wisconsin)

Highway 64 (Wisconsin)
Highway 65 (Wisconsin)
Highway 87 (Wisconsin)
Highway 243 (Wisconsin)

Airports[]

Amery Municipal Airport (KAHH) serves the county and surrounding communities.
L.O. Simenstad Municipal Airport (KOEO).

National protected area[]

Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (part)

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	1,400		—
1870	3,422		144.4%
1880	10,018		192.8%
1890	12,968		29.4%
1900	17,801		37.3%
1910	21,367		20.0%
1920	26,870		25.8%
1930	26,567		−1.1%
1940	26,197		−1.4%
1950	24,944		−4.8%
1960	24,968		0.1%
1970	26,666		6.8%
1980	32,351		21.3%
1990	34,773		7.5%
2000	41,319		18.8%
2010	44,205		7.0%
2020 (est.)	43,794	^[7]	−0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census^[8] 1790–1960^[9] 1900–1990^[10] 1990–2000^[11] 2010–2020^[2]

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Polk County

As of the 2000 census,^[12] there were 41,319 people, 16,254 households, and 11,329 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile (17/km²). There were 21,129 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.64% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 1.06% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 31.4% were of German, 18.6% Norwegian, 11.3% Swedish, 5.5% Irish and 5.3% American ancestry.

There were 16,254 households, out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.20% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 99.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.50 males.

In 2017, there were 400 births, giving a general fertility rate of 56.0 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the 14th lowest rate out of all 72 Wisconsin counties.^[13]

Education[]

Amery School District

Unity School District

Communities[]

The sign for Polk County while entering Wisconsin on US8

Cities[]

Villages[]

Balsam Lake (county seat)
Centuria
Clayton
Clear Lake
Dresser
Frederic
Luck
Milltown
Osceola
Turtle Lake (mostly in Barron County)

Towns[]

Census-designated place[]

Lewis

Unincorporated communities[]

Notable residents[]

Arnold Franz Brasz (1888–1966), a prominent painter, sculptor, and printmaker was born in Polk County on July 19, 1888
George A. Nelson (1873-1962) — the 1936 candidate for Vice President of the United States of the Socialist Party of America was born in rural Polk County and was a dairy farmer there.

Politics[]

show

Presidential elections results

References[]

^ Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 163.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
^ "Wisconsin: Individual County Chronologies". Wisconsin Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
^ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 61 - 64. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
^ "County Population Totals: 2010-2020". Retrieved June 20, 2021.
^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
^ "Annual Wisconsin Birth and Infant Mortality Report, 2017 P-01161-19 (June 2019): Detailed Tables". Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved February 8, 2021.

External links[]

Polk County website
Polk County map from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Polk County Economic Development Corporation
Polk County Tourism

Coordinates: 45°28′N 92°26′W / 45.46°N 92.44°W / 45.46; -92.44

[1] Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 163.

[QF-2] Jump up to: ^a ^b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2014.

[GR6-3] "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.

[4] "Wisconsin: Individual County Chronologies". Wisconsin Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2015.

[5] Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 61 - 64. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.

[GR1-6] "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2015.

[USCensusEst2020-7] "County Population Totals: 2010-2020". Retrieved June 20, 2021.

[8] "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2015.

[9] "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 8, 2015.

[10] Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2015.

[11] "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 8, 2015.

[GR8-12] "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.

[13] "Annual Wisconsin Birth and Infant Mortality Report, 2017 P-01161-19 (June 2019): Detailed Tables". Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.

[14] Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved February 8, 2021.

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[14]

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third parties
2020	63.0% 16,611	35.5% 9,370	1.5% 390
2016	60.7% 13,810	33.3% 7,565	6.0% 1,370
2012	53.6% 12,094	44.6% 10,073	1.8% 406
2008	49.8% 11,282	48.0% 10,876	2.1% 485
2004	51.5% 12,095	47.5% 11,173	1.0% 235
2000	48.4% 9,557	45.3% 8,961	6.3% 1,244
1996	32.8% 5,387	50.8% 8,334	16.4% 2,692
1992	30.1% 5,446	42.9% 7,746	27.0% 4,879
1988	43.0% 6,866	56.2% 8,981	0.8% 128
1984	49.8% 8,106	49.4% 8,034	0.8% 129
1980	44.2% 7,207	46.7% 7,607	9.1% 1,482
1976	41.3% 6,159	56.9% 8,485	1.9% 280
1972	52.4% 6,567	45.8% 5,738	1.8% 228
1968	48.8% 5,583	45.3% 5,179	5.9% 671
1964	34.1% 3,754	65.6% 7,215	0.3% 34
1960	55.2% 6,387	44.5% 5,148	0.3% 30
1956	54.0% 5,894	45.7% 4,985	0.3% 27
1952	61.7% 6,966	37.9% 4,274	0.4% 42
1948	41.5% 3,974	55.7% 5,330	2.8% 268
1944	53.6% 5,329	45.1% 4,489	1.3% 127
1940	53.6% 6,031	44.3% 4,979	2.1% 238
1936	34.3% 3,596	53.5% 5,618	12.2% 1,285
1932	37.1% 3,425	58.7% 5,421	4.2% 386
1928	75.1% 6,905	23.7% 2,177	1.2% 108
1924	37.6% 2,793	4.3% 317	58.2% 4,324
1920	80.5% 4,796	12.6% 752	6.9% 412
1916	51.2% 2,080	42.2% 1,713	6.6% 269
1912	27.1% 848	26.6% 830	46.3% 1,447
1908	72.0% 2,788	21.1% 816	6.9% 267
1904	85.6% 2,985	8.5% 296	6.0% 208
1900	77.5% 2,735	19.7% 694	2.9% 101
1896	74.6% 2,861	23.2% 891	2.2% 85
1892	60.3% 1,477	23.9% 585	15.8% 386

show v t Municipalities and communities of Polk County, Wisconsin, United States
County seat: Balsam Lake
Cities	Amery St. Croix Falls
Villages	Balsam Lake Centuria Clayton Clear Lake Dresser Frederic Luck Milltown Osceola Turtle Lake‡
Towns	Alden Apple River Balsam Lake Beaver Black Brook Bone Lake Clam Falls Clayton Clear Lake Eureka Farmington Garfield Georgetown Johnstown Laketown Lincoln Lorain Luck McKinley Milltown Osceola St. Croix Falls Sterling West Sweden
CDP	Lewis
Unincorporated communities	Atlas Bunyan Clam Falls Cushing Deronda East Farmington Eureka Center Fox Creek Horse Creek Indian Creek Joel Lamar Little Falls Lykens McKinley Nye Pole Cat Crossing‡ Range Richardson Sand Lake Ubet Wanderoos West Denmark West Sweden Wolf Creek
Indian reservations	St. Croix‡
Footnotes	‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
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