Editing Polk County, Minnesota

{{short description|County in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county             = Polk County
 | state              = Minnesota
 | ex image           = Polk County Government Center.jpg
 | ex image size      = 300px
 | ex image cap       = Polk County Government Center in Crookston
 | flag               = 
 | logo               = 
 | coordinates        = {{Coord|47|46|27.314|N|96|24|0.097|W|region:US-MN_type:county|display=inline}}
 | founded date       = July 20
 | founded year       = 1858 (created)<br/>1872 (organized)
 | named for          = [[James Knox Polk]]
 | seat wl            = Crookston
 | largest city wl    = East Grand Forks
 | area_total_sq_mi   = 1997.791
 | area_land_sq_mi    = 1970.999
 | area_water_sq_mi   = 26.792
 | area percentage    = 1.3%
 | population_total   = 31192
 | population_as_of   = 2020
 | population_est     = 30412 {{decrease}}
 | pop_est_as_of      = 2023
 | density_sq_mi      = 15.429
 | time zone          = Central
 | district           = 7th
 | website            = {{URL|http://www.co.polk.mn.us/|co.polk.mn.us}}
}}

'''Polk County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the northwestern part of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Minnesota]]. The population was 31,192 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/polkcountyminnesota/PST045223 |access-date=April 15, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Crookston, Minnesota|Crookston]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> and the largest community is [[East Grand Forks, Minnesota|East Grand Forks]].

Polk County is part of the [[Grand Forks, North Dakota|Grand Forks]], [[North Dakota|ND]]-MN [[Greater Grand Forks|metropolitan statistical area]].

==History==
In one of its early acts as a state entity, the Minnesota Legislature created the county on July 20, 1858, but did not organize it at that time. The county was named for the 11th president of the United States, [[James Knox Polk]], who signed the congressional act that organized the [[Minnesota Territory]]. The county was organized in 1872 and 1873, with the newly settled community of Crookston as the county seat.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Upham |first=Warren |url=https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog |title=Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance |publisher=Minnesota Historical Society |year=1920 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog/page/n61 42]-28}}</ref>

==Geography==
Polk County lies on Minnesota's border with North Dakota (across the [[Red River of the North|Red River]]). The [[Red Lake River]] flows west through the upper central part of the county, discharging into the Red at Grand Forks. The county terrain consists of low, rolling hills, devoted to agriculture.<ref name="PCM">[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Polk+County,+MN/@47.8359252,-96.9108121,9z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x52c7b5dae6713715:0x357e54e5ccbbccdb!8m2!3d47.6635085!4d-96.4170534 ''Polk County MN''  Google Maps (accessed March 16, 2019)]</ref> The county slopes to the west and north, with its highest point near its southeast corner, at {{convert|1519|ft|m|abbr=on}} above sea level.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Find an Altitude/Polk County MN" Google Maps (accessed March 16, 2019) |url=https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521043409/https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |archive-date=May 21, 2019 |access-date=March 17, 2019}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|1997.791|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1970.999|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|26.792|sqmi}} (1.3%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2024 County Gazetteer Files – Minnesota|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_gaz_counties_27.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Polk Co Pie Chart No Text Version.pdf|thumb|right|Soils of Polk County<ref>Nelson, Steven (2011). ''Savanna Soils of Minnesota.'' Minnesota: Self. pp. 57-60. {{ISBN|978-0-615-50320-2}}.</ref>]] USGS surveys show the county's high point to be {{convert|1575|ft|km|abbr=on}} south of U.S. 2, about 2 km east of Spring Lake, at 47.5197°N, 95.5906°W.

===Transit===
* Tri-Valley Opportunity Council (T.H.E. Bus)

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=28em}}
* [[Image:US 2.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 2 in Minnesota|U.S. Highway 2]]
* [[Image:US 59.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 59#Minnesota|U.S. Highway 59]]
* [[Image:US 75.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 75#Minnesota|U.S. Highway 75]]
* [[Image:MN-9.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 9]]
* [[Image:MN-32.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 32]]
* [[Image:MN-92.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 92]]
* [[Image:MN-102.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 102]]
* [[Image:MN-220.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 220]]
{{div col end}}
* [[Image:Polk County 21.svg|20px]] Polk County State-Aid Highway 21: This is the major connector between Grand Forks and [[Pennington County, Minnesota|Pennington County]], and connects with Pennington County State-Aid Highway 3.
* [[Image:County 9 (MN).svg|20px]] Polk County State-Aid Highway 9: A major connector between [[Crookston, Minnesota|Crookston]] and the south end of Grand Forks, it connects with Grand Forks County Road 7, and functions as a southside connector between US 75 and US 2 in [[Crookston, Minnesota|Crookston]].
* [[Image:County 11 (MN).svg|20px]] [[Image:County 46 (MN).svg|20px]] Polk County State-Aid Highways 11 & 46: US 2 Truck Bypass of [[Crookston, Minnesota|Crookston]]
* [[Image:County 2 square.svg|20px]] Polk County State-Aid Highway 2: Designated and designed for heavy truck traffic connecting [[U.S. Highway 2 in Minnesota|US 2]] to [[Roseau County, Minnesota|Roseau County]] and [[Marshall County, Minnesota|Marshall County]].

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=28em}}
* [[Marshall County, Minnesota|Marshall County]] (north)
* [[Pennington County, Minnesota|Pennington County]] (northeast)
* [[Red Lake County, Minnesota|Red Lake County]] (northeast)
* [[Clearwater County, Minnesota|Clearwater County]] (east)
* [[Mahnomen County, Minnesota|Mahnomen County]] (southeast)
* [[Norman County, Minnesota|Norman County]] (south)
* [[Traill County, North Dakota]] (southwest)
* [[Grand Forks County, North Dakota]] (west)
{{div col end}}

===Protected areas===
Source:<ref name=PCM/>
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* Agassiz Dunes Scientific and Natural Area (part)
* Belgium State Wildlife Management Area
* Brandsvold State Wildlife Management Area
* Castor State Wildlife Management Area
* Enerson State Wildlife Management Area
* Erskine State Wildlife Management Area
* [[Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge]]
* Gully Fen Scientific and Natural Area
* Hangaard State Wildlife Management Area
* Hasselton State Wildlife Management Area (part)
* Hill River State Wildlife Management Area
* Kroening State Wildlife Management Area
* Lavoi State Wildlife Management Area
* Lessor State Wildlife Management Area
* Mahgre State Wildlife Management Area
* Malmberg Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
* Pembina State Wildlife Management Area
* Polk State Wildlife Management Area
* Red River State Recreation Area (part)
* Red River Valley Natural History Area
* Rindahl State Wildlife Management Area
* [[Rydell National Wildlife Refuge]]
* Sand Hill Recreation Area
* Shypoke State Wildlife Management Area
* Stipa State Wildlife Management Area
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 240
|1870= 
|1880= 11433
|1890= 30192
|1900= 35429
|1910= 36001
|1920= 37090
|1930= 36019
|1940= 37734
|1950= 35900
|1960= 36182
|1970= 34435
|1980= 34844
|1990= 32498
|2000= 31369
|2010= 31600
|2020= 31192
|estyear=2023
|estimate=30412
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=March 18, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html |access-date=October 24, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br/>1790–1960<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=October 24, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mn190090.txt |access-date=October 24, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br/>1990–2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |access-date=October 24, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF" />
}}

[[File:PolkCountyMn2022PopPyr.png|thumb|right|2022 US Census [[population pyramid]] for Polk County, from [[American Community Survey|ACS]] 5-year estimates]]

As of the first quarter of 2024, the median home value in Polk County was $216,560.<ref>{{Cite web|title=County Median Home Price|url=https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/housing-statistics/county-median-home-prices-and-monthly-mortgage-payment|publisher=[[National Association of Realtors]]|access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref>

As of the 2023 [[American Community Survey]], there are 12,472 estimated households in Polk County with an average of 2.39 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $69,540. Approximately 11.6% of the county's population lives at or below the [[Poverty in the United States|poverty line]]. Polk County has an estimated 64.9% employment rate, with 26.7% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 93.4% holding a high school diploma.<ref>{{Cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Polk County, Minnesota|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/polkcountyminnesota/PST045223|access-date=November 16, 2024|website=www.census.gov|language=en}}</ref>

The top five reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (92.8%), Spanish (2.7%), Indo-European (2.3%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.5%), and Other (1.7%).

The median age in the county was 39.3 years.

'''Polk County, Minnesota – racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
! Race / ethnicity <small>(''NH = non-Hispanic'')</small>
! Pop. 1980<ref name=1980CensusScope>{{Cite web|title=Polk County, Minnesota — Population by Race|url=https://censusscope.org/us/s27/c119/chart_race.html|publisher=CensusScope|access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref> !! Pop. 1990<ref name=1990CensusScope>{{Cite web|title=Polk County, Minnesota — Population by Race|url=https://censusscope.org/us/s27/c119/chart_race.html|publisher=CensusScope|access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref> !! Pop. 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Polk County, Minnesota|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?g=050XX00US27119|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref> !! Pop. 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Polk County, Minnesota|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US27119&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref> !! {{partial|Pop. 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Polk County, Minnesota|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US27119&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
| 33,869<br>(97.20%) || 30,824<br>(94.85%) || 28,994<br>(92.43%) || 28,497<br>(90.18%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |26,538<br>(85.08%)
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
| 64<br>(0.18%) || 53<br>(0.16%) || 86<br>(0.27%) || 248<br>(0.78%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |958<br>(3.07%)
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
| 268<br>(0.77%) || 376<br>(1.16%) || 381<br>(1.21%) || 413<br>(1.31%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |376<br>(1.21%)
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
| 83<br>(0.24%) || 89<br>(0.27%) || 91<br>(0.29%) || 210<br>(0.66%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |156<br>(0.50%)
|-
| [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
| — || — || 2<br>(0.01%) || 2<br>(0.01%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |4<br>(0.01%)
|-
| [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
| 0<br>(0.00%) || 10<br>(0.03%) || 0<br>(0.00%) || 9<br>(0.03%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |71<br>(0.23%)
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or multiracial]] (NH)
| — || — || 313<br>(1.00%) || 501<br>(1.59%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |1,090<br>(3.49%)
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
| 560<br>(1.61%) || 1,146<br>(3.53%) || 1,502<br>(4.79%) || 1,720<br>(5.44%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |1,999<br>(6.41%)
|-
| '''Total'''
| '''34,844<br>(100.00%)''' || '''32,498<br>(100.00%)''' || '''31,369<br>(100.00%)''' || '''31,600<br>(100.00%)''' || style='background: #ffffe6; |'''31,192<br>(100.00%)'''
|}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 31,192 people, 12,534 households, and 7,852 families residing in the county.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Polk%20County,%20Minnesota%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=April 15, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|15.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 14,623 housing units at an average density of {{convert|7.42|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the county was 87.29% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.13% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.46% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.50% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.97% from some other races and 5.62% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 6.41% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How many people live in Polk County, Minnesota |url=https://data.usatoday.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/polk-county-minnesota/050-27119/ |access-date=November 16, 2024 |publisher=USA Today}}</ref> 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18, 5.8% were under 5 years of age, and 19.8% were 65 and older.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 31,600 people, 12,704 households, and 8,196 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|16.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 14,610 housing units at an average density of {{convert|7.41|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the county was 93.34% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.85% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.43% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.69% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.57% from some other races and 2.10% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 5.44% of the population.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 31,369 people, 12,070 households, and 8,050 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|15.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 14,008 housing units at an average density of {{convert|7.11|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the county was 94.18% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.33% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.30% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.30% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.00% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.30% from some other races and 2.77% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 4.79% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 41.7% were [[Norwegians]], 19.7% were [[Germans]], and 5.8% were [[French people|French]].

Of the 12,070 households, 32.3% had children under 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were not families. About 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.47, and the average family size was 3.07.

The county's age distribution was 25.9% under 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 or older. The median age was 38. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.

The median income for a household was $35,105, and for a family was $44,310. Males had a median income of $31,472 versus $21,535 for females. The [[per capita income]] was $17,279. About 7.3% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the [[Poverty threshold|poverty line]], including 13.3% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those 65 or over.

==Communities==
===Cities===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Beltrami, Minnesota|Beltrami]]
* [[Climax, Minnesota|Climax]]
* [[Crookston, Minnesota|Crookston]] (county seat)
* [[East Grand Forks, Minnesota|East Grand Forks]]
* [[Erskine, Minnesota|Erskine]]
* [[Fertile, Minnesota|Fertile]]
* [[Fisher, Minnesota|Fisher]]
* [[Fosston, Minnesota|Fosston]]
* [[Gully, Minnesota|Gully]]
* [[Lengby, Minnesota|Lengby]]
* [[McIntosh, Minnesota|McIntosh]]
* [[Mentor, Minnesota|Mentor]]
* [[Nielsville, Minnesota|Nielsville]]
* [[Trail, Minnesota|Trail]]
* [[Winger, Minnesota|Winger]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Benoit, Minnesota|Benoit]]
* [[Cisco, Minnesota|Cisco]]
* [[Dugdale, Minnesota|Dugdale]]
* [[Euclid, Minnesota|Euclid]]
* [[Russia Township, Minnesota|Greenview]]
* [[Maple Bay, Minnesota|Maple Bay]]
* Olga
* Sherack
* Tabor
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=16em}}
* [[Andover Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Andover Township]]
* [[Angus Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Angus Township]]
* [[Badger Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Badger Township]]
* [[Belgium Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Belgium Township]]
* [[Brandsvold Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Brandsvold Township]]
* [[Brandt Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Brandt Township]]
* [[Brislet Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Brislet Township]]
* [[Bygland Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Bygland Township]]
* [[Chester Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Chester Township]]
* [[Columbia Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Columbia Township]]
* [[Crookston Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Crookston Township]]
* [[Eden Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Eden Township]]
* [[Esther Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Esther Township]]
* [[Euclid Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Euclid Township]]
* [[Fairfax Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Fairfax Township]]
* [[Fanny Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Fanny Township]]
* [[Farley Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Farley Township]]
* [[Fisher Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Fisher Township]]
* [[Garden Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Garden Township]]
* [[Garfield Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Garfield Township]]
* [[Gentilly Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Gentilly Township]]
* [[Godfrey Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Godfrey Township]]
* [[Grand Forks Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Grand Forks Township]]
* [[Grove Park-Tilden Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Grove Park-Tilden Township]]
* [[Gully Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Gully Township]]
* [[Hammond Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Hammond Township]]
* [[Helgeland Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Helgeland Township]]
* [[Higdem Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Higdem Township]]
* [[Hill River Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Hill River Township]]
* [[Hubbard Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Hubbard Township]]
* [[Huntsville Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Huntsville Township]]
* [[Johnson Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Johnson Township]]
* [[Kertsonville Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Kertsonville Township]]
* [[Keystone Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Keystone Township]]
* [[King Township, Polk County, Minnesota|King Township]]
* [[Knute Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Knute Township]]
* [[Lessor Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Lessor Township]]
* [[Liberty Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Liberty Township]]
* [[Lowell Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Lowell Township]]
* [[Nesbit Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Nesbit Township]]
* [[Northland Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Northland Township]]
* [[Onstad Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Onstad Township]]
* [[Parnell Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Parnell Township]]
* [[Queen Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Queen Township]]
* [[Reis Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Reis Township]]
* [[Rhinehart Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Rhinehart Township]]
* [[Roome Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Roome Township]]
* [[Rosebud Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Rosebud Township]]
* [[Russia Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Russia Township]]
* [[Sandsville Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Sandsville Township]]
* [[Scandia Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Scandia Township]]
* [[Sletten Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Sletten Township]]
* [[Sullivan Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Sullivan Township]]
* [[Tabor Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Tabor Township]]
* [[Tynsid Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Tynsid Township]]
* [[Vineland Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Vineland Township]]
* [[Winger Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Winger Township]]
* [[Woodside Township, Polk County, Minnesota|Woodside Township]]
{{div col end}}

==Government and politics==
Polk County was a swing county for several decades, before shifting solidly Republican as of lately. As of 2020, it has selected the Republican nominee in presidential elections in 56% of elections since 1980.
{{PresHead|place=Polk County, Minnesota|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=October 10, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|10,162|4,967|290|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|9,865|5,439|290|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|8,979|4,712|1,105|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|7,615|6,773|305|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|7,148|7,850|336|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|8,724|6,729|215|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|7,609|5,764|767|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|5,563|6,369|1,655|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|5,817|5,850|3,267|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|7,032|7,523|107|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|8,617|7,033|132|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|9,036|7,151|1,457|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|6,552|9,078|404|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|8,139|7,366|380|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|6,074|8,380|715|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|5,039|11,052|20|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|7,528|9,346|35|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|6,847|7,980|26|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|8,326|7,244|113|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|4,662|9,279|639|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|4,402|8,808|100|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|5,200|10,652|133|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|3,751|11,337|349|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|3,604|8,751|835|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|7,215|5,357|294|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1924|Progressive|5,027|663|5,750|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|8,197|2,111|1,492|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|2,471|3,498|545|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|735|1,662|3,350|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|3,311|1,928|758|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|3,549|696|704|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|2,863|2,533|374|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|2,855|5,054|158|Minnesota}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Populist|1,376|1,510|3,006|Minnesota}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+County Board of Commissioners<ref>{{Cite web |title=Board of Commissioners {{!}} Polk County, MN |url=https://www.co.polk.mn.us/459/Board-of-Commissioners |access-date=April 25, 2023 |website=www.co.polk.mn.us}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |Position
! Name
! District
! Next Election
|-
| 
| Commissioner
| Vacant
| District 1
| 2024
|-
| 
| Commissioner and Chairperson
| Warren Strandell
| District 2
| 2026
|-
| 
| Commissioner and Vice Chair
| Gary Willhite
| District 3
| 2024
|-
| 
| Commissioner
| Joan Lee
| District 4
| 2026
|-
| 
| Commissioner
| Mark Holy
| District 5
| 2024
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+State Legislature (2023-2025)
! colspan="2" |Position
! Name
! Affiliation
! District
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
| Senate
| [[Mark Johnson (Minnesota politician)|Mark Johnson]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=MN State Senate |url=https://www.senate.mn/members/member_bio.php?member_id=1217 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |website=www.senate.mn |language=en}}</ref>
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| District 1
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
| House of Representatives
| [[Deb Kiel]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rep. Debra Kiel (01B) - Minnesota House of Representatives |url=https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/15353 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |website=www.house.leg.state.mn.us}}</ref>
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| District 1B
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+U.S Congress (2023-2025)
! colspan="2" |Position
! Name
! Affiliation
! District
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
| [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]
| [[Michelle Fischbach]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach |url=https://fischbach.house.gov/ |access-date=June 25, 2020 |website=Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach |language=en}}</ref>
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| [[Minnesota's 7th congressional district|7th]]
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
| [[United States Senate|Senate]]
| [[Amy Klobuchar]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar |url=https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/ |access-date=June 24, 2020 |website=www.klobuchar.senate.gov}}</ref>
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| N/A
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
| [[United States Senate|Senate]]
| [[Tina Smith]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.smith.senate.gov/ |access-date=June 24, 2020 |website=Senator Tina Smith |language=en}}</ref>
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| N/A
|}

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Minnesota#Polk County|National Register of Historic Places listings in Polk County, Minnesota]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
* R.I. Holcombe and William H Bingham, [https://archive.org/details/compendiumofhist02holc ''Compendium of History and Biography of Polk County, Minnesota.''] Minneapolis: W. H. Bingham & Co., 1916.
* Huber D. McLellan, ''The History of the Early Settlement and Development of Polk County, Minnesota.'' PhD dissertation. Northwestern University, 1928.
* Polk County Historical Society, ''Bicentennial History of Polk County, Minnesota: Pioneers of the Valley.'' n.c.: Polk County Historical Society, 1976.
* Polk County Historical Society, ''The Polk County Historian.'' (journal)
* Claude Eugene Wentsel, [https://archive.org/details/polkcountyminnes00went ''Polk County, Minnesota, in the World War.''] Ada, MN: C.E. Wentsel, 1922.
* Winger Golden Jubilee Historical Committee, ''Golden Jubilee, Winger, Minnesota, 1904-1954.''  Winger, MN: Winger Enterprise, n.d. [1954].
* Maxine Workman, ''Minnesota Cemeteries, Polk County.'' West Fargo, ND: Red River Genealogy Society, 1988.

==External links==
* [http://www.co.polk.mn.us/ Polk County – official website]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Polk County, Minnesota
|North     = [[Marshall County, Minnesota|Marshall County]]
|Northeast = [[Pennington County, Minnesota|Pennington County]] and [[Red Lake County, Minnesota|Red Lake County]]
|East      = [[Clearwater County, Minnesota|Clearwater County]]
|Southeast = [[Mahnomen County, Minnesota|Mahnomen County]]
|South     = [[Norman County, Minnesota|Norman County]]
|Southwest = [[Traill County, North Dakota]]
|West      = [[Grand Forks County, North Dakota]]
}}

{{Polk County, Minnesota}}
{{Minnesota}}
{{Greater Grand Forks}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|47.77|-96.40|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MN_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Polk County, Minnesota| ]]
[[Category:Minnesota counties]]
[[Category:Greater Grand Forks]]
[[Category:1872 establishments in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1872]]