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Polk County, Wisconsin facts for kids

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Polk County
U.S. county
Polk County Highway Department in Balsam Lake
Polk County Highway Department in Balsam Lake
Map of Wisconsin highlighting Polk County
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Map of the United States highlighting Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Wisconsin
Founded 1853
Named for James K. Polk
Seat Balsam Lake
Largest city Amery
Area
 • Total 956 sq mi (2,480 km2)
 • Land 914 sq mi (2,370 km2)
 • Water 42 sq mi (110 km2)  4.4%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 44,977
 • Estimate 
(2023)
 45,762 Increase
 • Density 49.2/sq mi (19.0/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 7th

Polk County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 44,977. Its county seat is Balsam Lake. The county was created in 1853 and named for United States President James K. Polk.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 956 square miles (2,480 km2), of which 914 square miles (2,370 km2) is land and 42 square miles (110 km2) (4.4%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

  • US 8.svg U.S. Highway 8
  • US 63.svg U.S. Highway 63
  • WIS 35.svg Highway 35 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 46.svg Highway 46 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 48.svg Highway 48 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 65.svg Highway 65 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 87.svg Highway 87 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 243.svg Highway 243 (Wisconsin)

Railroads

Buses

  • List of intercity bus stops in Wisconsin

Airports

  • Amery Municipal Airport (KAHH) serves the county and surrounding communities.
  • L.O. Simenstad Municipal Airport (KOEO).

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1860 1,400 —
1870 3,422 144.4%
1880 10,018 192.8%
1890 12,968 29.4%
1900 17,801 37.3%
1910 21,367 20.0%
1920 26,870 25.8%
1930 26,567 −1.1%
1940 26,197 −1.4%
1950 24,944 −4.8%
1960 24,968 0.1%
1970 26,666 6.8%
1980 32,351 21.3%
1990 34,773 7.5%
2000 41,319 18.8%
2010 44,205 7.0%
2020 44,977 1.7%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010 2020

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, the population was 44,977. The population density was 49.2 people per square mile (19.0 people/km2). There were 24,129 housing units at an average density of 26.4 units per square mile (10.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.5% White, 0.9% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.8% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 2.1% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Education

  • Amery School District
  • Clayton School District
  • Clear Lake School District
  • Frederic School District
  • Luck School District
  • Osceola School District
  • St. Croix Falls School District
  • Unity School District

Communities

Polk County Wisconsin Sign US8 entering Wisconsin
The sign for Polk County while entering Wisconsin on US8

Cities

Villages

Towns

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Notable residents

  • Arnold Franz Brasz (1888–1966), a prominent painter, sculptor, and printmaker was born in Polk County on July 19, 1888
  • George A. Nelson (1873–1962), the 1936 Socialist Party of America nominee for vice president of the United States, was born in rural Polk County and was a dairy farmer there.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Polk (Wisconsin) para niños

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