Key Indicators – Polk County
Source: FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023
updated 9/6/25 2240
Maps – Housing
Map – Household Vacancy
The percentage of all housing units that are currently vacant and not occupied by the owner or a renter.
At 16.1% Polk County has a housing vacancy rate near the median vacancy rate for Florida counties(16.3%).
Source: Owner-Occupied Housing Units (Census ACS), FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023
Map – Homeownership
The percentage of all occupied households in which the occupant owns the house
The homeowner occupancy rate in Polk County is 70%, lower than 79% of counties in the state of Florida.
Source: Owner-Occupied Housing Units (Census ACS), FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023
Map – Rental Vacancy
The percentage of all houses for rent that remain vacant
The rental vacancy rate in Polk County is 4.7%, which is among the lowest in Florida. Over 68% of Florida counties have higher rental vacancy rates, including many surrounding counties.
Source: Rental Vacancy Rate (Census ACS), FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023
Map – Median Home Value
Median value of all listed homes sold in the county in 2023
The median home value in Polk County is $240,000, less than the median home value for the state of Florida($325,000). Home values in Polk County are higher than home values in nearby rural counties, but less than home values in more metropolitan nearby counties surrounding Tampa and Orlando.
Source: Median Owner-Occupied Housing Unit Value (Census ACS), FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023
Map – Housing Cost Burden (All Households)
Renters and homeowners spending more than 30% of income on housing
Almost 1 in 3 Polk County residents is housing burdened, spending more than 30% of their monthly income on housing(31.8%). Polk County’s housing burden rate is greater than several of the surrounding counties and higher than 72% of counties in the state of Florida.
Map – Housing Cost Burden (Homeowners Only)
Homeowners spending more than 30% of their income on a mortgage and other housing costs
24.2% of Polk County homeowners are considered to be housing burdened, spending more than 30% of their monthly income on housing. Polk County’s housing burden rate is similar to neighboring counties of similar population size, but much higher than the burden rates in rural counties in the area.
Map – Housing Cost Burden (Renters)
Renters paying more than 30% of their income towards rent
53.8% of Polk County renters spend more than 30% of their monthly income on rent and are considered housing burdened. The renter burden rate in Polk County is lower than in 63% of the counties in Florida.
Map – Homelessness
Total number of reported homeless persons in the county
It is estimated that there are around 1300 homeless persons in Polk County. Polk County is in the highest 20% of Florida counties for estimated homeless population. This number highlights the need for greater access to services for homeless individuals in Polk County.
Map – Public Assistance
Percentage of county residents receiving SNAP benefits, rental assistance, or other direct cash government assistance.
15.3% of Polk County residents receive rental assistance, SNAP benefits, or direct cash benefits. This percentage is near the median rate for the state(13.5%).
Source: Households Receiving Cash Public Assistance or Food Stamps (Census ACS), FL healthcharts.gov, 2023
Map – Severe Housing Problems
Percentage of households lacking kitchen facilities, lacking working plumbing, overcrowded, or paying more than 50% of income toward housing
With 12.7% of its residents experiencing severe housing problems, Polk County’s rate is nearly identical to the median rate for Florida counties(12.6%).
Source: Population with Severe Housing Problems, FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023
Homeownership Statistics – Polk County
Rental Statistics – Polk County
ALICE Dashboard
Some families exceed the income level of the Federal Poverty Line, but still struggle to collect enough income to make ends meet and provide basic necessities. These families fall below the ALICE threshold.
ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and represents the growing number of families who are unable to afford the basics of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology. These workers often struggle to keep their own households from financial ruin, while keeping our local communities running.
