Polk County Demographics

A map of Polk County's Population by Race

Polk County, Florida had a population of 725,046 in 2020. It was 54.2% White, 13.9% Black, 1.8% Asian, 25.9% Hispanic, 0.8% Native American/Other, and 3.4% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Polk County, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Polk County is the 9th most populous county of the 67 counties in Florida.

Polk County's White Population

392,621 residents of Polk County identify as White, or 54.2%. This makes the White share of the population of Polk County roughly similar to the White share of the population of Florida (51.5% White). Of the 67 counties in Florida, Polk County is ranked #55 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Polk County is more White than neighboring Hardee County (46.9% White), Osceola County (29.2% White), Hillsborough County (45.7% White), and Orange County (37.2% White). Polk County is less White than neighboring Highlands County (64.7% White).

Polk County's Black Population

100,950 residents of Polk County identify as Black, or 13.9%. This makes the Black share of the population of Polk County roughly similar to the Black share of the population of Florida (14.5% Black). Of the 67 counties in Florida, Polk County is ranked #22 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Polk County is more Black than neighboring Hardee County (8.3% Black), Osceola County (9% Black), and Highlands County (9.4% Black). Polk County is less Black than neighboring Hillsborough County (15.4% Black), and Orange County (18.4% Black).

Polk County's Asian Population

13,181 residents of Polk County identify as Asian, or 1.8%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Polk County roughly similar to the Asian share of the population of Florida (2.9% Asian). Of the 67 counties in Florida, Polk County is ranked #24 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Polk County is more Asian than neighboring Hardee County (0.7% Asian), and Highlands County (1.6% Asian). Polk County is less Asian than neighboring Osceola County (2.9% Asian), Hillsborough County (4.8% Asian), and Orange County (5.4% Asian).

Polk County's Hispanic Population

187,695 residents of Polk County identify as Hispanic, or 25.9%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Polk County roughly similar to the Hispanic share of the population of Florida (26.5% Hispanic). Of the 67 counties in Florida, Polk County is ranked #10 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Polk County is more Hispanic than neighboring Highlands County (20.7% Hispanic). Polk County is less Hispanic than neighboring Hardee County (41.9% Hispanic), Osceola County (54.3% Hispanic), Hillsborough County (29.3% Hispanic), and Orange County (33.1% Hispanic).

Polk County's Native American/Other Population

5,607 residents of Polk County identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 0.8%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Polk County roughly similar to the Native American/Other share of the population of Florida (0.9% Native American/Other). Of the 67 counties in Florida, Polk County is ranked #29 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Polk County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Hardee County (0.4% Native American/Other), and Highlands County (0.6% Native American/Other). Polk County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Osceola County (1.3% Native American/Other), Hillsborough County (0.9% Native American/Other), and Orange County (1.4% Native American/Other).

Polk County's Multiracial Population

24,992 residents of Polk County identify as Multiracial, or 3.4%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Polk County roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of Florida (3.7% Multiracial). Of the 67 counties in Florida, Polk County is ranked #39 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Polk County is more Multiracial than neighboring Hardee County (1.9% Multiracial), Osceola County (3.3% Multiracial), and Highlands County (3% Multiracial). Polk County is less Multiracial than neighboring Hillsborough County (3.9% Multiracial), and Orange County (4.6% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.