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Polk County, Georgia

Coordinates: 34°00′N 85°11′W / 34.00°N 85.18°W / 34.00; -85.18
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Polk County
County
Polk County Courthouse in Cedartown
Polk County Courthouse in Cedartown
Map of Georgia highlighting Polk County
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Map of the United States highlighting Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°00′N 85°11′W / 34°N 85.18°W / 34; -85.18
Country United States
State Georgia
FoundedDecember 20, 1851; 173 years ago (1851)
Named forJames K. Polk
SeatCedartown
Largest cityCedartown
Area
 • Total
312 sq mi (810 km2)
 • Land310 sq mi (800 km2)
 • Water1.8 sq mi (5 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
42,853
 • Estimate 
(2023)
44,223 Increase
 • Density140/sq mi (53/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district14th
Websitewww.polkgeorgia.org
The Polk County Historical Marker

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.

Geography

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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 5th 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

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Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18606,295—
18707,82224.3%
188011,95252.8%
189014,94525.0%
190017,85619.5%
191020,20313.1%
192020,3570.8%
193025,14123.5%
194028,46713.2%
195030,9768.8%
196028,015−9.6%
197029,6565.9%
198032,3869.2%
199033,8154.4%
200038,12712.8%
201041,4758.8%
202042,8533.3%
2023 (est.)44,223[7]3.2%
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]

2020 census

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Polk County racial composition[17]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 30,161 70.38%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 5,119 11.95%
Native American 101 0.24%
Asian 239 0.56%
Pacific Islander 21 0.05%
Other/Mixed 1,627 3.8%
Hispanic or Latino 5,585 13.03%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 42,853 people, 15,038 households, and 10,151 families residing in the county.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 41,475 people, 15,092 households, and 10,908 families living in the county.[18] 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).[19] 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.[18] In terms of ancestry, 17.2% were English, 15.2% were American, 13.0% were Irish, and 5.3% were German.[20]

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.[18]

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.[21]

2000 census

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As of the census[22] 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

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Media

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Communities

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Cities

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Politics

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United States presidential election results for Polk County, Georgia[24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 15,352 80.08% 3,749 19.56% 70 0.37%
2020 13,587 78.09% 3,657 21.02% 155 0.89%
2016 11,014 77.16% 2,867 20.08% 394 2.76%
2012 9,811 71.89% 3,615 26.49% 222 1.63%
2008 9,850 69.60% 4,052 28.63% 251 1.77%
2004 8,467 68.17% 3,868 31.14% 85 0.68%
2000 5,841 57.74% 4,112 40.65% 163 1.61%
1996 4,130 43.25% 4,298 45.01% 1,122 11.75%
1992 4,158 38.98% 4,872 45.67% 1,638 15.35%
1988 5,454 64.46% 2,977 35.18% 30 0.35%
1984 5,435 62.49% 3,262 37.51% 0 0.00%
1980 2,949 34.44% 5,421 63.31% 192 2.24%
1976 1,944 24.12% 6,115 75.88% 0 0.00%
1972 4,929 78.91% 1,317 21.09% 0 0.00%
1968 1,729 21.68% 2,007 25.16% 4,240 53.16%
1964 3,282 41.86% 4,555 58.10% 3 0.04%
1960 1,746 28.64% 4,351 71.36% 0 0.00%
1956 2,098 31.79% 4,502 68.21% 0 0.00%
1952 1,299 22.61% 4,447 77.39% 0 0.00%
1948 491 13.25% 2,918 78.74% 297 8.01%
1944 463 14.65% 2,698 85.35% 0 0.00%
1940 401 12.92% 2,693 86.76% 10 0.32%
1936 389 12.36% 2,754 87.51% 4 0.13%
1932 211 8.86% 2,170 91.14% 0 0.00%
1928 1,462 62.27% 886 37.73% 0 0.00%
1924 481 33.38% 803 55.73% 157 10.90%
1920 1,004 60.41% 658 39.59% 0 0.00%
1916 0 0.00% 1,172 62.18% 713 37.82%
1912 36 2.81% 706 55.11% 539 42.08%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Polk County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Polk County". Calhoun Times. September 1, 2004. p. 97. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ^ "Polk County GA Peaks List".
  6. ^ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  7. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  8. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". United States Census Bureau.
  9. ^ "1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
  10. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910.
  11. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930.
  12. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
  13. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Georgia -" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
  14. ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
  15. ^ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
  16. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
  17. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  18. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  19. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  20. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  21. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  22. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  23. ^ "Silver Comet Trail, Polk County Information - Georgia". www.silvercometga.com. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  24. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
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34°00′N 85°11′W / 34.00°N 85.18°W / 34.00; -85.18

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