Testing Page – updated 8/6/25 18:27 – United Community Indicators

This graph illustrates the proportion of the workforce in Polk County occupied by each of its most common jobs, along with the median earnings for each.

Maps | Economy & Employment Opportunity

Map – Median Household Income

Median Household Income (MHI) is used as a comparison of earnings in communities. Household Income is the total of all earnings reported for every member of the house 15 years and older. Median Household Income designates the value at which 50% of the population earns less than that value, and 50% of the population of the given community earns more than that value.

At $63,644, the median household income of Polk County exceeds 43% of counties in Florida but falls below the state median of $66,154. Polk County’s MHI is similar to that of most neighboring counties with comparable populations.

Source: Median Household Income, FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023

Map – Population Living in Poverty (All Ages)

The Federal Poverty Threshold is determined yearly by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS defines a family below the federal poverty threshold as a family with an income below the calculated minimum needed to provide basic needs (housing, food, etc.) for a family of that size. Federal Poverty Threshold varies depending on many factors, most notably, number of family members.

At 14.7%, the percentage of Polk County residents living in households below the Federal Poverty Line, is near the state median poverty rate. Approximately 50% of surrounding counties have a lower poverty rate and approximately 50% of surrounding counties have a higher poverty rate than Polk County.

Source: Individuals Below Poverty Level (Census ACS), FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023

Map – Children Living in Poverty (0-18 years)

Human Services(HHS). HHS defines a family below the federal poverty threshold as a family with an income below the calculated minimum needed to provide basic needs (housing, food, etc.) for a family of that size. Federal Poverty Threshold varies depending on many factors, most notably, number of family members.

Polk County has one of the higher percentages of children(0 – 18 years) living in households considered below the Federal Poverty Line. 64% of Florida counties have a lower percentage of children living in impoverished households.

Source: Individuals Below Poverty Level (Aged 0-17 Years)(Census ACS), FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023

Map – Cash Assistance / SNAP Benefits

Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program(SNAP), more commonly known as food stamps, is a government anti-hunger program designed to assist low income households in obtaining staple foods of high and essential nutritional value. This map shows the percentage of individuals either receiving SNAP benefits or other means of direct cash assistance for housing or cost of living.

15.3% of Polk County residents receive SNAP or other direct cash assistance benefits from the government. 55% of Florida counties have a lower percentage of children living in households receiving SNAP or other cash assistance benefits. Many rural counties immediately south of Polk County have higher percentages of residents receiving SNAP or cash assistance benefits, however, more metropolitan counties north of Polk tend to have lower percentages of residents receiving government benefits.

Source: Households Receiving Cash Public Assistance of Feed Stamps (Census ACS), FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023

Economic Statistics – Polk County

Median Household Income

At $63,644 Polk County lags behind the statewide Median Household Income ($71,711), however, median income growth in Polk County has been nearly identical to income growth throughout the state, increasing to $63,644 from $51,535 since just 2020. Median Income in Polk County is expected to continue to increase in the near future due to an influx of new services and industries resulting from the county’s rapid population growth.

Source: Median Household Income, FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023

Required Minimum Income

Polk County has a significantly lower cost of living than statewide averages for families of all sizes, however, many families still struggle to meet the required minimum income throughout Polk County. In 2023, the median household income for Polk County was $63,644. Unfortunately, this number is below the required minimum income for any household with children.

Source: unitedforalice.org, 2023

Poverty

The Federal Poverty Threshold is determined yearly by the United States Department of Health and Human Services(HHS). HHS defines a family below the federal poverty threshold as a family with an income below the calculated minimum needed to provide basic needs (housing, food, etc.) for a family of that size. Federal Poverty Threshold varies depending on many factors, most notably, number of family members.

The poverty rate in Polk County for all individuals is typically about 2% higher than the statewide average.

Source: Individuals Below Poverty Level (Census ACS), FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023

While Polk County’s child poverty rate has steadily decreased over the past ten years, it generally remains 4% to 5% higher than the statewide average.

Source: Individuals Below Poverty Level (Aged 0-17 Years)(Census ACS), FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023

Economic Statistics – Polk County

Median Household Income

Source: Median Household Income, FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023

Required Minimum Income

Source: unitedforalice.org, 2023

Poverty – All Ages

The Federal Poverty Threshold is determined yearly by the United States Department of Health and Human Services(HHS). HHS defines a family below the federal poverty threshold as a family with an income below the calculated minimum needed to provide basic needs (housing, food, etc.) for a family of that size. Federal Poverty Threshold varies depending on many factors, most notably, number of family members.

The poverty rate in Polk County for all individuals is typically about 2% higher than the statewide average.

Source: Individuals Below Poverty Level (Census ACS), FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023

Poverty – Children

The Federal Poverty Threshold is determined yearly by the United States Department of Health and Human Services(HHS). HHS defines a family below the federal poverty threshold as a family with an income below the calculated minimum needed to provide basic needs (housing, food, etc.) for a family of that size. Federal Poverty Threshold varies depending on many factors, most notably, number of family members.

While Polk County’s child poverty rate has steadily decreased over the past ten years, it generally remains 4% to 5% higher than the statewide average.

Source: Individuals Below Poverty Level (Aged 0-17 Years)(Census ACS), FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023

ALICE Dashboard

Who is ALICE?

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.

ALICE Population in Polk County

ALICE Population

As of 2022, less than 15% of Polk County households fell below the federal poverty line. 32.9% of Polk County households were above the federal poverty line, but below the ALICE threshold, meaning 1 in 3 Polk households do not qualify for many government assistance programs, but still struggle to afford all major necessities. The total percentage of families below the ALICE threshold(47.9%, including those below federal poverty line) represents the lowest percentage of struggling families since 2010 and reflects an increase in wages throughout Polk County.

As of 2022, just over 52% of Polk County families were above the ALICE threshold, the highest value of above ALICE families since 2010. The rise of wages in Polk County has lifted some families out of struggling economic situations, however, approximately half of all families in Polk County continue to find challenges in affording all basic necessities.

Source: UnitedforAlice.org, 2023

ALICE Dashboard

unitedforalice.org provides a website full of resources for exploring economics in your local area and contextualizes the state of ALICE families within the area.

ALICE Dashboard

Who is ALICE?

ALICE Population in Polk County

ALICE Population

Source: UnitedforAlice.org, 2023