Editing Polk County, Georgia

{{Short description|County in Georgia, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county          = Polk County
 | state               = Georgia
 | seal                 = 
 | founded year         = {{start date and age|1851}}
 | founded date    = December 20
 | seat wl           = Cedartown
 | largest city wl   = Cedartown
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 312
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 310
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 1.8
 | area percentage      = 0.6%
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 42853
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 44223 {{gain}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | time zone           = Eastern
 | footnotes            = 
 | web                  = http://www.polkgeorgia.org/
 | named for            = [[James K. Polk]]
 | ex image             = Courthouse of Polk County, Georgia.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Polk County Courthouse in Cedartown
 | district             = 14th}}
[[File:Polk County Sign, Cedartown, Georgia.jpg|thumb|250px|The Polk County Historical Marker]]

'''Polk County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[Northwest Georgia|Northwest]] region of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 42,853.<ref>{{cite web|title=Census - Geography Profile: Polk County, Georgia|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Polk_County,_Georgia?g=0500000US13233|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 28, 2022}}</ref> The [[county seat]] is [[Cedartown, Georgia|Cedartown]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IP4vAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2jsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4150%2C560175 | title=Polk County| work=Calhoun Times | date=September 1, 2004 | access-date=April 26, 2015 | pages=97}}</ref> Polk County comprises the Cedartown, GA [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|312|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|310|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.8|sqmi}} (0.6%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> Much of the county is also covered in rolling [[hill]]s and small [[mountain]]s, most of which are part of the [[Piedmont Mountains|Piedmont]] [[Plateau]] and the [[Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians|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 communities|unincorporated community]] of [[Etna, Georgia|Etna]] with an elevation of {{convert|1610|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} [[Sea level|above sea level]]. The most prominent mountain in the county (as well as the fifth-highest) is Signal Mountain in [[Rockmart, Georgia|Rockmart]] with a prominence of {{convert|360|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} and an elevation of {{convert|1290|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} above sea level.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://listsofjohn.com/searchres?c=1781 | title=Polk County GA Peaks List }}</ref>

Most of eastern Polk County, centered on [[Rockmart, Georgia|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, Georgia|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gaswcc.org/maps/ |title=Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience |publisher=Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. |access-date=November 18, 2015}}</ref>

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[File:US 27.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 27 in Georgia|U.S. Route 27]]
* [[File:Business plate.svg|20px]]<br />[[File:US 27.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 27 Business (Cedartown, Georgia)|U.S. Route 27 Business]]
* [[File:US 278.svg|23px]] [[U.S. Route 278 in Georgia|U.S. Route 278]]
* [[File:Business plate.svg|23px]]<br />[[File:US 278.svg|23px]] [[U.S. Route 278 Business (Rockmart, Georgia)|U.S. Route 278 Business]]<!--does this still exist?-->
* [[File:Georgia 1.svg|20px]] [[Georgia State Route 1|State Route 1]]
* [[File:Georgia 1 Business.svg|20px]] [[Georgia State Route 1 Business (Cedartown)|State Route 1 Business]]
* [[File:Georgia 6.svg|20px]] [[Georgia State Route 6|State Route 6]]
* [[File:Georgia 6 Business.svg|20px]] [[Georgia State Route 6 Business (Rockmart)|State Route 6 Business]]<!--does this still exist?-->
* [[File:Georgia 100.svg|23px]] [[Georgia State Route 100|State Route 100]]
* [[File:Georgia 101.svg|23px]] [[Georgia State Route 101|State Route 101]]
* [[File:Georgia 113.svg|23px]] [[Georgia State Route 113|State Route 113]]
{{div col end}}

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Floyd County, Georgia|Floyd County]] – north
* [[Bartow County, Georgia|Bartow County]] – northeast
* [[Paulding County, Georgia|Paulding County]] – east
* [[Haralson County, Georgia|Haralson County]] – south
* [[Cleburne County, Alabama|Cleburne County]], [[Alabama]] – southwest
* [[Cherokee County, Alabama|Cherokee County]], [[Alabama]] – west

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 6295
|1870= 7822
|1880= 11952
|1890= 14945
|1900= 17856
|1910= 20203
|1920= 20357
|1930= 25141
|1940= 28467
|1950= 30976
|1960= 28015
|1970= 29656
|1980= 32386
|1990= 33815
|2000= 38127
|2010= 41475
|2020= 42853
|estyear=2023
|estimate=44223
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 31, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=}}</ref><br>1790-1880<ref name=1880CensusGACty>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800 |publisher=United States Census Bureau|date= 1880|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1880/vol-01-population/1880_v1-08.pdf|accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=|page=}}</ref> 1890-1910<ref name=1910CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1910 Census of Population - Georgia  |publisher=United States Census Bureau|date= 1910|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ga.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=|page=}}</ref><br> 1920-1930<ref name=1930CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1930 Census of Population - Georgia  |publisher=United States Census Bureau|date= 1930|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/03815512v1ch04.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=|page=}}</ref> 1930-1940<ref name=1940CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1940 Census of Population - Georgia  |publisher=United States Census Bureau|date= 1940|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch04.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref><br> 1940-1950<ref name=1950CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1950 Census of Population - Georgia - |publisher=United States Census Bureau|date= 1950|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-2/37779083v2p11ch2.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref> 1960-1980<ref name=1980CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia  |publisher=United States Census Bureau|date= 1980|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_gaABC-01.pdf|accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref><br> 1980-2000<ref name=2000CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Georgia  |publisher=United States Census Bureau|date= 2000|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-12.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13/13233.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105185659/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13/13233.html|archive-date=January 5, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Polk County racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US13233&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 12, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|30,161
|70.38%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|5,119
|11.95%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|101
|0.24%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|239
|0.56%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|21
|0.05%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|1,627
|3.8%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|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===
As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 41,475&nbsp;people, 15,092&nbsp;households, and 10,908&nbsp;families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US13233
  |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
  |access-date=December 30, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213010402/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US13233
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|133.6|PD/sqmi}}. There were 16,908 housing units at an average density of {{convert|54.5|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US13233
  |access-date=December 30, 2015
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213190017/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US13233
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> 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.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 17.2% were [[English people|English]], 15.2% were [[Americans|American]], 13.0% were [[Irish people|Irish]], and 5.3% were [[Germans|German]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US13233
  |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=December 30, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213024650/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US13233
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 15,092&nbsp;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.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

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.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US13233
  |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=December 30, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213013223/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US13233
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 38,127 people, 14,012 households, and 10,340 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|122|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 15,059 housing units at an average density of {{convert|48|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 80.52% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 13.34% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.22% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.31% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 4.62% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.95% from two or more races. 7.66% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|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 [[Marriage|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 ==
* [[Silver Comet Trail]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.silvercometga.com/silver-comet-polk-county/polk-county.shtml|title=Silver Comet Trail, Polk County Information - Georgia|website=www.silvercometga.com|access-date=August 11, 2018}}</ref>

==Media==
*[[Walker County Messenger#Sister publications|Polk County Standard Journal]]

==Communities==

===Cities===
* [[Aragon, Georgia|Aragon]]
* [[Braswell, Georgia|Braswell]]
* [[Cedartown, Georgia|Cedartown]] (county seat)
* [[Rockmart, Georgia|Rockmart]]
* [[Taylorsville, Georgia|Taylorsville]] (partly in [[Bartow County, Georgia|Bartow County]])

==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=Polk County, Georgia|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|15,352|3,749|98|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|13,587|3,657|155|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|11,014|2,867|394|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|9,811|3,615|222|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|9,850|4,052|251|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|8,467|3,868|85|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|5,841|4,112|163|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|4,130|4,298|1,122|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|4,158|4,872|1,638|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|5,454|2,977|30|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|5,435|3,262|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|2,949|5,421|192|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,944|6,115|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|4,929|1,317|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|1,729|2,007|4,240|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|3,282|4,555|3|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,746|4,351|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|2,098|4,502|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|1,299|4,447|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|491|2,918|297|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|463|2,698|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|401|2,693|10|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|389|2,754|4|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|211|2,170|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,462|886|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|481|803|157|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,004|658|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|0|1,172|713|Georgia}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|36|706|539|Georgia}}

==See also==
{{Portal|State of Georgia}}
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Polk County, Georgia]]
*[[List of counties in Georgia]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160325162149/http://www.polkhist.org/ Polk County Historical Society]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110903092302/http://polkgenealogy.org/ Polk County Genealogy ]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041011204057/http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/courthouses/polkCH.htm Polk County Courthouse] – Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
* [http://www.polkonpurpose.com Polk County Tourism website] – Polk on Purpose!

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Polk County, Georgia
|North     = [[Floyd County, Georgia|Floyd County]]
|Northeast = [[Bartow County, Georgia|Bartow County]]
|East      = [[Paulding County, Georgia|Paulding County]]
|Southeast =
|South     = [[Haralson County, Georgia|Haralson County]]
|Southwest = [[Cleburne County, Alabama]]
|West      = [[Cherokee County, Alabama]]
|Northwest =
}}
{{Polk County, Georgia}}
{{Atlanta Metro}}
{{Georgia (U.S. state)}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|34.00|-85.18|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-GA_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Polk County, Georgia| ]]
[[Category:Georgia (U.S. state) counties]]
[[Category:1851 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Counties in the Atlanta metropolitan area|Polk]]
[[Category:Northwest Georgia (U.S.)]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1851]]