Polk County Income Charts

This section shows the Polk County Georgia economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2022 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Polk County depicts it has a Median earnings of $39,174 which is the smallest when sorted by median earnings per worker of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Paulding County which shows a median earnings of $53,706 (37.1% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $53,269, Polk County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, measured against the state of Georgia, median earnings per worker of $49,335, Polk County is approximately three-fourths the size.

In Figure 2 a more complete view of income is shown which aggregates income from all members in the household and it has a Median household income of $48,958 which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Paulding County which shows a median income of $80,234 (63.9% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $69,021, Polk County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared with the state of Georgia, median household income of $65,030, Polk County is approximately three-fourths the size.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Polk County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it it has the largest proportion of earnings between $15,000 and $19,999 at 43.1% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $20,000 and $49,999 at 18.7% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $75,000 and $99,999 at 4.5% of the total.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has a Avg Hours Worked of 40.2 which is the third most average hours of all other counties in the greater Polk County region. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Cleburne County which depicts an average hours of 40.5 ( about the same size). Dividing median annual worker earnings by the average number of hours worked in a year in Figure 6 shows that it has a Avg Hrly Earnings of $18.74 which is the smallest in order of average hourly earnings of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Paulding County which shows an average hourly earnings of $26.15 (39.5% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $26.40, Polk County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in comparison with the state of Georgia, average hourly earnings of $24.08, Polk County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Polk County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Polk County shows it has a Self Employed of 8.8% which is in the middle range of other counties in the local area. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Paulding County which shows a percentage self employed of 11.7% (31.7% larger).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, has the smallest proportion of median income-under 25 years at $45,187 of the total. Second, it has in the center range of other counties in the greater region when ranked by median income-25 to 44 years at $71,627 of the total. Third, it has in the middle range of other counties in the greater region in order of median income-45 to 64 years at $37,410 of the total.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Polk County has the largest proportion of social security at 1.5% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next chart (Figure 11) shows the percentage of households that had retirement income over the last 12 months and it has a With Retirement Income of 21.3% which is in the mid range of other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Cleburne County which depicts a households with retirement income of 27.4% (28.4% larger).

In the next chart, Figure 12, the median family income is shown for families broken down by racial group and has the percentage of overall family income the second smallest as measured by overall family income of all the other counties in the local area at $65,326 of the total. Second, it has less than most other counties in the area as measured by white family income at $47,287 of the total. Third, it has in the mid range of other counties in the local area when sorted by hawaiian family income at $35,341 of the total.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Polk County shows it has the hightest cost of 107.9 for the cost of healthcare group.

Polk County Labor Force Charts

The next two charts look at monthly trended employment related performance using data estimated by economists at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS tracks unemployment statistics for a large number of areas throughout the country on a month to month basis. However, not every location in the U.S. is tracked by the BLS so the chart will only show the closest location available (which may be the same location.) Figure 14 shows the monthly unemployment rate for the area as well as a comparison to the overall national economy measure for the United States. Note that in March to April 2022, the Covid 19 recession occurred and affects this metric. The monthly unemployment rate shows that from January 2017 to before the Coronavirus Pandemic it went from 6.3% to 4.3% in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 31.7%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 3.6%. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 16.3%. In Figure 15 the monthly labor force participation which are people actively looking for work are also defined as unemployed but do not include people who have given up looking for work. The monthly labor force participation shows that from January 2017 to before the disasterous Coronavirus Pandemic it went from 18,368 to 18,499 in November 2019. This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of very little. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 18,517. This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of very little.

The next two charts look at the annual unemployment rate/eligible for unemployment benefits and is based on the American Community survey. Figure 16 shows Polk County shows it has a Unemployment Rate of 3.8% which is ranked #1 of all counties in the greater Polk County region. Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Polk County depicts it has a Labor Force Participation of 59.2% which is in the mid range of other counties in the metro area.

The Components of Employment Status graph in Figure 18 shows the composition of the labor force broken down by employed, unemployed, and not in the labor force (but 16 years of age or older). Polk County has the largest proportion of employed at 3.8% of the total and is ranked #1.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Polk County depicts full time employees appreciably bigger as the part time employees.

The next employment related data item is shown in Figure 21 which is the percentage of families with only a single earner in the greater Polk County area. Polk County depicts it has a Single Earner Families of 34.9% which is the second most families with a single earner of all the counties in the greater Polk County region. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Cleburne County which depicts a single earners rate of 35.3% ( only slightly larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Polk County depicts it has a Families with No One Working of 20.2% which is in the mid range of other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest families with no one working in the area is Cherokee County which shows a families with no worker of 30.7% (52.2% larger).

Polk County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Polk County community. This performance can be enhanced by government programs such as economic opportunity zone to influence manufacturing, job growth, economic opportunity an hopefully lead to economic recovery after the recent Covid 19 recession. In Figure 23 the total number of people earning less than the poverty level are shown. Polk County depicts it has a Total In Poverty of 7,668 which is in the center range of other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Floyd County which depicts a total people earning less than the poverty level of 17,538 (approximately 2.3 times bigger).

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Polk County depicts it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 18.1% which is the second most percent of people earning less than the poverty level of all the counties in the greater Polk County region. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Floyd County which depicts a percent of people in poverty of 18.7% (only about 3.4% larger).

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Polk County has the largest proportion of white poverty rate at 34% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of asian poverty rate at 100% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of hawaiian poverty rate at 50% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Polk County has one of the largest proportions of married with children and in poverty at 45% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Floyd County (52%), and #1 Cleburne County (55%) are larger. Second, it has the largest proportion of unmarried with children and in poverty at 59% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has in the mid point range of other counties in the local area in order of unmarried female with children and in poverty at 11% of the total. Additionally, Figure 30 looks at the percentage of people who receive some form of public assistance including general assistance, temporary assistance or food stamps (i.e. SNAP.) Polk County depicts it has a Public Assistance Percent of 16.7% which is more than all other counties in the greater Polk County region.

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Polk County depicts it has a Gini Index of 42.6% which is less than most other counties in the local area.

Polk County Work Commute Charts

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Polk County has the percentage of people who leave for work between 12am to 5am less than most other counties in the metro area at 6% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 630 am to 7am at 18% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 11am to 12noon at 5% of the total.

The next graph in Figure 36 shows the average number of minutes that it takes for people to commute to work. Polk County has the largest proportion of people with commute time of less than 5 minutesutes at 15% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has less than most other counties in the local area when sorted by people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 9% of the total.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Polk County shows it has a Avg Commute Time of 30 which is the third most average commute time of all other counties in the greater Polk County region. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Polk County shows average commute time in minutes for men 63.5% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Polk County has one of the largest proportions of no vehicle available at 18% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Floyd County with 19%. Second, it has the second smallest when sorted by no vehicle available of all the other counties in the local area in order of 1 vehicle available at 34% of the total. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Polk County depicts it has a Work in city or place where live of 44% which is the second most of all the counties in the metro area. The county with the highest people who both work and live in the same city in the area is Floyd County which shows a people who both work and live in the same city of 54% (22.4% larger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 44%, Polk County is about the same size. Also, compared to the state of Georgia, people who both work and live in the same city of 42%, Polk County is only about 4.2% larger.

Polk County Jobs Charts

The next to charts break out the median earnings for major job categories for men and women. Figure 46 shows the median earnings of men for the job categories. Polk County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $78,798 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations aggregate. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Polk County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $77,227 for the earnings-computer, engineering, and science occupations grouping. The table in Figure 48, shows Polk County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Polk County Self Employment Charts

Figure 49 shows economic activity in terms of the number of people who are self employed in incorporated local business by industry. Polk County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 38% for the self employed in sales and office related businesses group.

Similar to the last chart is Figure 50 which shows the number of people who are self employed but in more detailed industry categories such as manufacturing, retail sales, residential real estate, commercial real estate, health care, exports/imports, and advanced industries, etc. Polk County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 29% for the self employed in professional, scientific, management, administrative services category.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Polk County shows it has a Self Employment Income of $20,326 which is the second smallest in terms of average annual self employment income of all the other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Cherokee County which depicts an average annual self employment income of $42,280 (about twice as large). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $42,141, Polk County is approximately half the size. Also, in contrast to the state of Georgia, average annual self employment income of $40,467, Polk County is approximately half the size.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Polk County depicts total number of self-employed men about twice as large as the total number of self-employed women.