Editing Polk County, Nebraska

{{Short description|County in Nebraska, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Polk County
| official_name                   = County of Polk
| settlement_type                 = [[County (United States)|County]]
| image_skyline                   = Polk County Courthouse (Nebraska) 1.jpg
| image_caption                   = [[Polk County Courthouse (Nebraska)|Polk County Courthouse]] in Osceola
| image_map                       = {{Maplink|zoom=8|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-width=250|frame-align=center|type=shape|fill=#ffffff|fill-opacity=0|stroke-width=3}}
| map_caption                     = Interactive map of Polk County
| image_map1                      = Map of Nebraska highlighting Polk County.svg
| map_caption1                    = Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
| subdivision_type                = Country
| subdivision_name                = {{nowrap|{{US}}}}
| subdivision_type1               = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1               = {{flag|Nebraska}}
| established_title               = Established
| established_date                = January 26, 1856
| established_title1              = Organized
| established_date1               = August 6, 1870
| named_for                       = [[James K. Polk]]
| seat_type                       = [[County seat]]
| seat                            = [[Osceola, Nebraska|Osceola]]
| parts_type                      = Largest city
| parts                           = [[Stromsburg, Nebraska|Stromsburg]]
| unit_pref                       = US
| area_total_sq_mi                = 441
| area_land_sq_mi                 = 438
| area_water_sq_mi                = 2.3
| area_water_percent              = 0.5
| elevation_max_ft                = 1739
| elevation_min_ft                = 1089
| density_sq_mi                   = auto
| census yr                          = 2020
| population_total                 = 5214
| pop_est_as_of                   = 2021 
| population_est                   = 5174 {{loss}}
| area_code                       = [[Area codes 402 and 531|402/531]]
| area_code_type                  = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| blank_name_sec1                 = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS]] code
| blank_info_sec1                 = 31143
| blank1_name_sec1                = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info_sec1                = {{GNIS 4|835893}}
| website                         = [http://www.polkcounty.ne.gov/ www.polkcounty.ne.gov]
| timezone                        = [[Central Time Zone|Central]]
| utc_offset                      = &minus;6
| timezone_DST                    = [[Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST                  = &minus;5 }}

'''Polk County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Nebraska]]. As of the [[2020 United States census]], the population was 5,214.<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021">{{cite web |title=County Population Totals: 2020-2021 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |website=Census.gov |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Osceola, Nebraska|Osceola]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=7 June 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was formed in 1856, and was organized in 1870.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=englishunsllc|title=Nebraska Place-Names|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Lilian Linder|publisher=University of Nebraska Studies in Language, Literature, and Criticism|location=Lincoln|date=1925|page=116|access-date=December 16, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=englishunsllc|title=Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey Reconnaissance Survey Final Report of Polk County, Nebraska|publisher=Nebraska State Historical Society|date=August 1, 1992|access-date=December 16, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nacone.org/webpages/counties/countywebs/polk.html|title=Polk County|publisher=Nebraska Association of County Officials|access-date=December 16, 2014}}</ref> It was named for President [[James K. Polk]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nacone.org/webpages/counties/countywebs/polk.htm|title=Polk County|access-date=7 March 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704061951/http://www.nacone.org/webpages/counties/countywebs/polk.htm|archive-date=4 July 2008}} Retrieved on March 15, 2008.</ref> In the [[Vehicle registration plates of Nebraska|Nebraska license plate system]], Polk County is represented by the prefix 41 (it had the 41st-largest number of vehicles registered in the county when the license plate system was established in 1922).

==Geography==
The [[Platte River]] flows northeastward along the northwest boundary of Polk County. The lower portion of the county is drained by a local drainage, flowing east and east-northeastward into Butler County. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, dropping off to the river valley in the northern portion, and sloped to the east-southeast in the lower portion of the county. The county terrain is largely devoted to agriculture.<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Polk+County,+NE/@40.999582,-97.7683626,204016m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x8790b099bfc81c37:0x491543b0c776c756!8m2!3d41.1526688!4d-97.5680595 ''Polk County NE''  Google Maps (accessed 27 January 2019)]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |title="Find Altitude" Google Maps (accessed 27 January 2019) |access-date=28 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521043409/https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |archive-date=21 May 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|441|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|438|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|2.3|sqmi}} (0.5%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_31.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 11, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113024152/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_31.txt|archive-date=November 13, 2013}}</ref>

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* [[File:US 81.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 81 in Nebraska|U.S. Highway 81]]
* [[File:N-39.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 39]]
* [[File:N-66.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 66]]
* [[File:N-69.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 69]]
* [[File:N-92.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 92]]
{{div col end}}

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* [[Butler County, Nebraska|Butler County]] – east
* [[Seward County, Nebraska|Seward County]] – southeast
* [[York County, Nebraska|York County]] – south
* [[Hamilton County, Nebraska|Hamilton County]] – southwest
* [[Merrick County, Nebraska|Merrick County]] – west
* [[Platte County, Nebraska|Platte County]] – north
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 19
|1870= 136
|1880= 6846
|1890= 10817
|1900= 10542
|1910= 10521
|1920= 10714
|1930= 10092
|1940= 8748
|1950= 8044
|1960= 7210
|1970= 6468
|1980= 6320
|1990= 5668
|2000= 5639
|2010= 5406
|2020= 5214
|estyear=2021
|estimate=5174
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021"/>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=US Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=US Decennial Census|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 11, 2014}}</ref><br>1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=December 11, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ne190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 11, 2014}}</ref><br>1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=2010-03-27 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 11, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2013<ref name=QF>{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/31143.html|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905063024/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/31143.html|archive-date=September 5, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

As of the [[2000 United States Census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=31 January 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 5,639 people, 2,259 households, and 1,570 families in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|5|/km2|/mi2|disp=preunit|people|people|abbr=on}}. There were 2,717 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2|/km2|/mi2|disp=preunit|units|units|abbr=on}}. The racial makeup of the county was 98.92% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.28% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.09% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.28% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.41% from two or more races. 1.08% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 2,259 households, out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.90% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 4.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.97.

The county population contained 25.10% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 21.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 100.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,819, and the median income for a family was $45,081. Males had a median income of $30,286 versus $19,595 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $17,934. About 4.40% of families and 5.80% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 7.20% of those under age 18 and 4.70% of those age 65 or over.

==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Osceola, Nebraska|Osceola]] (county seat)
* [[Stromsburg, Nebraska|Stromsburg]]

===Villages===
* [[Polk, Nebraska|Polk]]
* [[Shelby, Nebraska|Shelby]]

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Durant, Polk County, Nebraska|Durant]]
* [[Swedehome, Nebraska|Swedehome or Swede Home]]

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=26em}}
* [[Canada Township, Polk, Nebraska|Canada]]
* [[Clear Creek Township, Polk, Nebraska|Clear Creek]]
* [[Hackberry Township, Polk, Nebraska|Hackberry]]
* [[Island Township, Polk, Nebraska|Island]]
* [[Osceola Township, Polk, Nebraska|Osceola]]
* [[Platte Township, Polk, Nebraska|Platte]]
* [[Pleasant Home Township, Polk, Nebraska|Pleasant Home]]
* [[Stromsburg Township, Polk, Nebraska|Stromsburg]]
* [[Valley Township, Polk, Nebraska|Valley]]
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
Polk County voters have been reliably Republican for several decades. In only one national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).
{{PresHead|place=Polk County, Nebraska|source1=<ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS Election Results]</ref>|source2=<ref>The leading "other" candidate, [[Progressive Party (United States, 1912)|Progressive]] [[Theodore Roosevelt]], received 784 votes, while Socialist candidate [[Eugene V. Debs|Eugene Debs]] received 142 votes and [[Prohibition Party|Prohibition]] [[Eugene W. Chafin|Eugene Chafin]] received 89 votes.</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|2,296|501|32|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|2,291|530|66|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|2,028|413|141|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|1,890|528|39|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|1,822|668|53|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|2,146|549|32|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|1,925|610|78|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|1,504|750|302|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|1,437|661|820|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|1,769|944|11|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|2,149|610|17|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|2,206|538|192|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|1,797|1,190|66|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,050|827|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|1,795|690|201|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,607|1,730|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|2,397|1,184|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|2,482|1,135|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|3,008|916|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,026|1,396|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|2,357|1,517|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|2,653|1,635|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,256|2,519|48|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,636|2,939|53|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|3,096|1,494|19|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|2,354|1,229|584|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|2,393|1,236|122|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,060|1,600|108|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|485|996|1,015|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|1,171|1,264|208|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,235|239|905|Nebraska}}
{{PresFoot|1900|Democratic|1,023|1,376|81|Nebraska}}

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

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Polk County, Nebraska
|North     = [[Platte County, Nebraska|Platte County]]
|East      = [[Butler County, Nebraska|Butler County]]
|South     = [[York County, Nebraska|York County]]
|Southwest = [[Hamilton County, Nebraska|Hamilton County]]
|West      = [[Merrick County, Nebraska|Merrick County]]
}}

{{Polk County, Nebraska}}
{{Nebraska}}

{{coord|41.19|-97.57|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NE_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Polk County, Nebraska| ]]
[[Category:1870 establishments in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1870]]
[[Category:Nebraska counties]]