Polk County, Missouri | |
|---|---|
 Polk County Courthouse in Bolivar | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofMissouri | |
 Missouri's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:37°37′N93°24′W / 37.62°N 93.4°W /37.62; -93.4 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | March 13, 1835 |
| Named after | Ezekiel Polk |
| Seat | Bolivar |
| Largest city | Bolivar |
| Area | |
• Total | 642 sq mi (1,660 km2) |
| • Land | 636 sq mi (1,650 km2) |
| • Water | 6.9 sq mi (18 km2) 1.1% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 31,519 |
• Estimate (2023) | 31,519 |
| • Density | 49.6/sq mi (19.1/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 4th |
Polk County is acounty located in the southwestern portion of theU.S. state ofMissouri. As of the2020 census, the population was 31,519.[1] Thecounty seat isBolivar.[2] The county was organized January 5, 1835,[3] and is named forEzekiel Polk. Polk County is part of theSpringfield metropolitan area.
Polk County was separated and organized fromGreene County on January 5, 1835. A supplement to the boundary change was made on March 13, 1835.[3][4] Its original boundaries were later reduced in creatingDade,Dallas, andHickory counties. It was named in honor of Col.Ezekiel Polk of Tennessee, a soldier who served under GeneralGeorge Washington and who was the grandfather of John Polk Campbell and Ezekiel Madison Campbell, brothers who helped to settle Polk and Greene counties.[5] Ezekiel Polk was also the grandfather ofJames K. Polk, who was a member of the US House of Representatives in 1835. He was elected President of the United States in 1844.[6]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 642 square miles (1,660 km2), of which 636 square miles (1,650 km2) is land and 6.9 square miles (18 km2) (1.1%) is water.[7]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 8,449 | — | |
| 1850 | 6,186 | −26.8% | |
| 1860 | 9,995 | 61.6% | |
| 1870 | 12,445 | 24.5% | |
| 1880 | 15,734 | 26.4% | |
| 1890 | 20,339 | 29.3% | |
| 1900 | 23,255 | 14.3% | |
| 1910 | 21,561 | −7.3% | |
| 1920 | 20,351 | −5.6% | |
| 1930 | 17,803 | −12.5% | |
| 1940 | 17,400 | −2.3% | |
| 1950 | 16,062 | −7.7% | |
| 1960 | 13,753 | −14.4% | |
| 1970 | 15,415 | 12.1% | |
| 1980 | 18,822 | 22.1% | |
| 1990 | 21,826 | 16.0% | |
| 2000 | 26,992 | 23.7% | |
| 2010 | 31,137 | 15.4% | |
| 2020 | 31,519 | 1.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10] 1990-2000[11] 2010[12] | |||
As of the2000 census, there were 26,992 people, 9,917 households, and 7,140 families residing in the county.[13] The population density was 42 inhabitants per square mile (16/km2). There were 11,183 housing units at an average density of 18 units per square mile (6.9/km2). Theracial makeup of the county was 97.26% White, 0.45% Black or African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Approximately 1.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 9,917 households, out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were non-families. 23.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 12.60% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,656, and the median income for a family was $35,843. Males had a median income of $25,383 versus $18,799 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $13,645. About 11.10% of families and 16.30% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 20.00% of those under age 18 and 12.00% of those age 65 or over.
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 28,682 | 91% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 242 | 0.76% |
| Native American (NH) | 190 | 0.6% |
| Asian (NH) | 131 | 0.42% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 4 | 0.01% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 1,479 | 4.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 791 | 2.51% |
TheBolivar Herald-Free Press is published twice weekly.
Polk County is divided into 22 townships:
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| Polk County, Missouri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elected countywide officials | |||
| Assessor | Rita Lemmon | Republican | |
| Circuit Clerk | Tiffany Phillips | Republican | |
| County Clerk | Rachel Lightfoot | Republican | |
| Collector | Rachel Boyce | Republican | |
| Commissioner (presiding) | Shannon Hancock | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 1) | Kyle Legan | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 2) | Melinda Robertson | Republican | |
| Coroner | Jeff Witt | Republican | |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Keaton Ashlock | Republican | |
| Public Administrator | Barbara Davolt | Republican | |
| Recorder | Carol Poindexter | Republican | |
| Sheriff | Danny Morrison | Republican | |
| Surveyor | Kevin Nelson | Republican | |
| Treasurer | Shirley Allison | Republican | |
TheRepublican Party completely controls politics at the local level in Polk County. Republicans hold all of the elected positions in the county.
| This section needs to beupdated. The reason given is: Officeholders have changed since 2016, and election results for elections after 2016 are needed.. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(May 2025) |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 79.38%12,487 | 18.69%2,940 | 1.93%304 |
| 2020 | 81.74%12,319 | 16.42%2,475 | 1.84%278 |
| 2016 | 66.92%9,251 | 30.15%4,168 | 2.92%404 |
| 2012 | 53.89%7,052 | 43.15%5,647 | 2.96%388 |
| 2008 | 45.76%6,244 | 49.52%6,758 | 4.72%644 |
| 2004 | 67.84%8,418 | 30.90%3,835 | 1.56%1.26 |
| 2000 | 58.65%5,996 | 39.79%4,068 | 1.55%159 |
| 1996 | 55.64%5,043 | 40.51%3,672 | 3.85%349 |
All of Polk County is in the 128th district in theMissouri House of Representatives, and is represented byChristopher Warwick (R-Bolivar), who was elected in2024.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Stephens | 11,500 | 85.48% | −14.52 | |
| Independent | Janet Sheffield | 1,953 | 14.52% | +14.52 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sue Entichler | 5,903 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sue Entlicher | 11,744 | 100.00% | ||
All of Polk County is a part of Missouri's 28th district in theMissouri Senate, which is currently held by RepublicanSandy Crawford.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Parson | 5,832 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 9,693 | 69.93% | +17.50 | |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 3,605 | 26.01% | −14.35 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 327 | 2.36% | −4.85 | |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 107 | 0.77% | +0.77 | |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 129 | 0.93% | +0.93 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Todd Akin | 6,789 | 52.43% | ||
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 5,226 | 40.36% | ||
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 933 | 7.21% | ||
All of Polk county is included inMissouri's 4th congressional district and is currently represented byMark Alford (R-Lake Winnebago) in theU.S. House of Representatives.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Billy Long | 10,170 | 74.34% | +6.06 | |
| Democratic | Genevieve Williams | 2,880 | 21.05% | −2.42 | |
| Libertarian | Benjamin T. Brixey | 630 | 4.61% | −3.64 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Billy Long | 4,442 | 68.28% | +1.25 | |
| Democratic | Jim Evans | 1,527 | 23.47% | −4.21 | |
| Libertarian | Kevin Craig | 537 | 8.25% | +2.95 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Billy Long | 8,631 | 67.03% | ||
| Democratic | Jim Evans | 3,564 | 27.68% | ||
| Libertarian | Kevin Craig | 682 | 5.30% | ||
Polk County has been a Republican Party stronghold for most of its history at the presidential level. In only four presidential elections from 1896 to the present has a Democratic Party candidate carried the county, the most recent beingLyndon B. Johnson in 1964.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 2,100 | 48.97% | 1,794 | 41.84% | 394 | 9.19% |
| 1892 | 1,918 | 45.98% | 1,211 | 29.03% | 1,042 | 24.98% |
| 1896 | 2,564 | 48.32% | 2,711 | 51.09% | 31 | 0.58% |
| 1900 | 2,679 | 53.59% | 2,178 | 43.57% | 142 | 2.84% |
| 1904 | 2,659 | 56.88% | 1,807 | 38.65% | 209 | 4.47% |
| 1908 | 2,670 | 54.43% | 2,139 | 43.61% | 96 | 1.96% |
| 1912 | 1,802 | 39.04% | 1,935 | 41.92% | 879 | 19.04% |
| 1916 | 2,613 | 53.79% | 2,149 | 44.24% | 96 | 1.98% |
| 1920 | 4,967 | 62.82% | 2,847 | 36.01% | 93 | 1.18% |
| 1924 | 4,097 | 56.19% | 3,033 | 41.60% | 161 | 2.21% |
| 1928 | 5,307 | 69.63% | 2,303 | 30.22% | 12 | 0.16% |
| 1932 | 3,811 | 46.40% | 4,355 | 53.03% | 47 | 0.57% |
| 1936 | 5,126 | 56.65% | 3,899 | 43.09% | 23 | 0.25% |
| 1940 | 5,534 | 61.98% | 3,380 | 37.86% | 14 | 0.16% |
| 1944 | 5,040 | 66.45% | 2,527 | 33.32% | 18 | 0.24% |
| 1948 | 4,026 | 56.65% | 3,079 | 43.32% | 2 | 0.03% |
| 1952 | 5,263 | 67.81% | 2,474 | 31.88% | 24 | 0.31% |
| 1956 | 4,410 | 59.77% | 2,968 | 40.23% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 4,849 | 66.52% | 2,440 | 33.48% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 3,288 | 49.51% | 3,353 | 50.49% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 4,145 | 59.82% | 2,170 | 31.32% | 614 | 8.86% |
| 1972 | 5,409 | 70.67% | 2,245 | 29.33% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 3,893 | 51.29% | 3,663 | 48.26% | 34 | 0.45% |
| 1980 | 4,842 | 57.86% | 3,336 | 39.87% | 190 | 2.27% |
| 1984 | 5,467 | 65.98% | 2,819 | 34.02% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 5,030 | 59.39% | 3,419 | 40.37% | 21 | 0.25% |
| 1992 | 3,465 | 39.94% | 3,316 | 38.22% | 1,894 | 21.83% |
| 1996 | 4,521 | 49.74% | 3,307 | 36.38% | 1,261 | 13.87% |
| 2000 | 6,430 | 62.46% | 3,606 | 35.03% | 258 | 2.51% |
| 2004 | 8,586 | 68.95% | 3,775 | 30.31% | 92 | 0.74% |
| 2008 | 8,956 | 65.39% | 4,553 | 33.24% | 188 | 1.37% |
| 2012 | 9,252 | 70.52% | 3,580 | 27.29% | 287 | 2.19% |
| 2016 | 10,438 | 75.84% | 2,631 | 19.12% | 694 | 5.04% |
| 2020 | 11,850 | 78.49% | 2,885 | 19.11% | 363 | 2.40% |
| 2024 | 12,691 | 79.78% | 2,948 | 18.53% | 269 | 1.69% |
FormerGovernorMike Huckabee (R-Arkansas) received more votes, a total of 2,317, than any candidate from either party in Polk County during the 2008 presidential primary.
Places adjacent to Polk County, Missouri | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofPolk County, Missouri,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Villages | ||
| Townships | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
