Polk County, Tennessee: commercial real estate data.
Polk County, Tennessee had an estimated 18,338 residents on July 1, 2024, up 4.5 percent since the 2020 census base of 17,544, across 435 square miles. County output reached $482.6 m in 2024, 238 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 13 7(a) approvals worth $8.1 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Polk County
How many people live in Polk County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202417,898
- Households7,424
- Average household size2.41
- Median household income$62,522
- Median age46.9
- Median gross rent$676 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$169,900
- Home value to household income2.7 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income13.0 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher16.6 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree7.1 percent
- Adults 25 and over13,282
- Population under 183,356
- Share under 1818.8 percent
- Population 65 and over3,764
- Share 65 and over21.0 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6410,778
- Civilian labor force7,967
- Unemployment rate5.3 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over54.8 percent
- Rank by population among Tennessee counties71st of 95
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included1995th of 3,222
Polk County is the 71st largest of 95 Tennessee counties by population. A median home costs 2.7 times median household income, which is affordable by national standards. Residents 65 and over outnumber those under 18, at 21.0 percent against 18.8 percent, which points demand at health care, services and single story product rather than schools.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Polk County
Is Polk County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202418,338
- Census 2020 base population17,544
- Population change since the 2020 census base4.53 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024272
- Births, 2024148
- Deaths, 2024300
- Natural change, 2024-152
- Net domestic migration, 2024425
- Net international migration, 20240
- Total net migration, 2024425
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20241,399
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents613th of 3,144
The county has grown 4.53 percent since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Polk County
Where are people moving to Polk County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving647
- People arriving, from those returns1,174
- Tax returns filed by households leaving432
- Net household movement215
- Adjusted gross income arriving$42.0 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$22.4 m
- Average income of an arriving household$64,904
- Average income of a leaving household$45,370
- Largest single originBradley County (175 households)
- Largest single destinationBradley County (165 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradley County | 175 | 355 | $8.2 m |
| Hamilton County | 47 | 90 | $3.5 m |
| McMinn County | 39 | 64 | $1.7 m |
| Fannin County | 35 | 65 | $1.3 m |
Households arriving report $19,534 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Bradley County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Polk County
What is the Polk County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$482.6 m
- County GDP, 2023$444.5 m
- GDP change, 2023 to 20248.6 percent
- GDP change over five years44.5 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Tennessee areas BEA publishes78th of 95
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes2424th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$26,963
Output grew 8.6 percent in the latest year and 44.5 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Polk County
Employment by industry in Polk County
- Covered employment, annual average2,759
- Establishments reporting340
- Average annual pay$41,945
- Average weekly wage$807
- Retail trade, employment378
- Retail trade, average annual pay$32,935
- Accommodation and food services, employment330
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$20,603
- Manufacturing, employment244
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$44,170
- Arts, entertainment and recreation, employment241
- Arts, entertainment and recreation, average annual pay$14,367
- Construction, employment125
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment71
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail trade | 378 | 50 | $32,935 |
| Accommodation and food services | 330 | 33 | $20,603 |
| Manufacturing | 244 | 18 | $44,170 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 241 | 22 | $14,367 |
| Construction | 125 | 29 | $48,632 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 71 | 8 | $60,598 |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 70 | 7 | $46,606 |
| Finance and insurance | 63 | 15 | $74,129 |
Retail trade is the largest private sector at 378 jobs, 13.7 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Polk County
How many businesses are in Polk County?
- Establishments, all industries238
- Employment at those establishments1,478
- Annual payroll$56.5 m
- Establishments per 1,000 residents13.3
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Polk County
Building permits in Polk County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024211
- Declared construction value permitted$38.2 m
- Single family units authorized211
- Multifamily units authorized0
- Multifamily share of units0.0 percent
- Average declared value per unit$181,115
- Units authorized per 1,000 households28.4
Single-family homes are 100.0 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Polk County
SBA loans in Polk County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded13
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$8.1 m
- Average 7(a) approval$626,338
- Median 7(a) approval$325,000
- Largest single approval$2,180,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)76
- Jobs per approval5.8
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active8
- Distinct industries receiving approvals9
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer30.8 percent
- Loans on real estate terms4
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter8
- Franchise loans2
- Franchise share of approvals15.4 percent
- Leading industry by approval countBroilers and Other Meat Type Chicken Production (3)
- Most active lenderLive Oak Banking Company (4)
- 504 approvals recorded1
- 504 gross approval dollars$1.2 m
- Average 504 approval$1,192,000
- Median 504 approval$1,192,000
- Distinct CDCs active1
- 504 jobs per approval17.0
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved14.3
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$9.3 m
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Polk County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Polk County
Do SBA loans in Polk County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded3
- Paid in full3
- Charged off0
- Status: Paid in full3
- Status: Exempt from disclosure9
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed1
Only 3 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Polk County
SBA lending by place in Polk County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending5
- Ocoee, approvals6
- Benton, approvals4
- Old Fort, approvals1
- Maryville, approvals1
- Delano, approvals1
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Ocoee | 6 | $4,845,000 |
| Benton | 4 | $2,739,400 |
| Old Fort | 1 | $325,000 |
| Maryville | 1 | $150,000 |
| Delano | 1 | $83,000 |
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Polk County
How large is Polk County?
- Land area435 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Tennessee counties48th of 95
- Width, east to west27.4 mi
- Height, north to south20.6 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary6
- Residents per square mile of land41
- Establishments per square mile0.55
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Polk County
Flood risk in Polk County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Polk County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 470261
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book4
- Of those, participating in the NFIP4
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Polk County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/LZone 2
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Polk County (community 470261), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Polk County in radon zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Polk County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Polk County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202417,898
- Households7,424
- Average household size2.41
- Median household income$62,522
- Median age46.9
Common questions
Polk County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Polk County, Tennessee?
The Census Bureau estimates 18,338 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 17,898, in 7,424 households, ranking 71st of 95 Tennessee counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Polk County's population growing?
The population has grown 4.53 percent since the 2020 census base of 17,544, to 18,338 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 148 births against 300 deaths, with net migration of 425. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Polk County?
$62,522. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $169,900, which is 2.7 times income, and median gross rent is $676 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Polk County?
238 establishments, employing 1,478 people with an annual payroll of $56.5 m. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Polk County?
Retail trade is the largest private sector at 378 jobs, 13.7 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 2,759 jobs at an average annual pay of $41,945, or $807 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Polk County?
13 7(a) approvals totaling $8.1 m since FY2020, across 8 lenders, with a median approval of $325,000, plus 1 504 approvals worth $1.2 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Polk County?
211 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $38.2 m. Multifamily was 0.0 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Polk County?
Zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Polk County come from?
The largest single origin is Bradley County, with 175 households. Arriving households report an average income of $64,904 against $45,370 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Polk County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Polk County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Polk County
Cities and places in Polk.
7 Census places lie wholly or partly in Polk County. All 7 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benton | town | 1,560 | 4 | Wholly in this county |
| Delano | CDP | 838 | 1 | 87.2 percent here, 12.8 percent McMinn County |
| Copperhill | city | 493 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Ducktown | city | 456 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Ocoee | CDP | 208 | 6 | Wholly in this county |
| Farner | CDP | 197 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Conasauga | CDP | 128 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 2 of the county's 13 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Polk County, the largest being Old Fort (1), Maryville (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.