Polk County Real Estate and Livability Trends
Polk County, Florida's real estate market is riding a wave of upward trends that investors can't ignore. From 2013 to 2021, the average taxable income per tax return soared from $44,905.00 to $60,888.67, painting a picture of economic vitality. Median home values aren't lagging either, skyrocketing from $177,900 to $215,700 between 2021 and 2022, even though they're still below the state median.... Read more
Polk County Market Trends
Median home values in Polk County, Florida have seen consistent growth over the last eight years, notably jumping from $177,900 to $215,700 between 2021 and 2022. Although still below the state median of $292,200, this appreciation outpaces national trends. Residents also benefit from increased residential energy tax credits, which surged from $449.24 in 2013 to over $2,730.94 by 2018, reflecting... Read more
Median Value of Occupied Housing Units in Polk County, Florida Over the Last 8 Years
Median home values in Polk County, Florida have shown a consistent increase over the last eight years, with the most significant jump observed between 2021 and 2022, moving from $177,900 to $215,700. While Polk County's median values are lower compared to Florida's statewide figures—$292,200 in 2022—they still reflect a rapid appreciation that outpaces the national growth trends, where the median value was $179,400 in 2022. Those looking to invest or move to Polk County may find opportunities in this relatively affordable yet escalating market.
Residential Energy Tax Credit Per Tax Return in Polk County, FL Over the Last 9 Years
Over the past nine years, residents of Polk County, Florida have seen a significant increase in average residential energy tax credits per tax return. Starting at around $449.24 in 2013, the average surged to over $2,730.94 by 2018, despite minor fluctuations later. This trend points towards a growing investment in energy-efficient solutions, making Polk County an attractive location for environmentally conscious homebuyers and investors looking to capitalize on tax incentives.
Average Real Estate Taxes Per Tax Return in Polk County, FL Over the Last 10 Years
The average real estate taxes per tax return in Polk County, Florida have seen a noticeable upward trend over the past decade, with values rising from roughly $2,496.02 in 2012 to about $4,717.68 in 2021. Larger jumps can be observed in recent years, particularly from 2017 to 2018, when taxes surged by over $1,000.00, possibly indicating a shift in the area's property market or local government policies. Such trends may signal increasing property values or changing fiscal strategies, relevant for potential investors or current homeowners evaluating long-term costs.
Percentage of Farm Returns in Polk County, FL Over the Last 10 Years
In Polk County, Florida, the percentage of farm tax returns has shown a gradual decline over the last decade, starting from roughly 0.65% in 2012 and falling to about 0.38% by 2021. Farm tax returns indicate the number of tax filings for agricultural activities, providing a snapshot of how active the farming community is in the area. This downward trend can suggest a few possibilities—either fewer individuals are engaging in farming or consolidation of farms is leading to fewer tax returns being filed. For anyone considering investing in, moving to, or building property in Polk County, this could imply shifts in the local agricultural economy and potentially in land use patterns.
Number of Mortgages by Occupancy Type in Polk County, FL Over the Last 5 Years in Polk County
Polk County, Florida has seen a notable fluctuation in mortgage numbers by occupancy type over the past five years. There has been a slight but consistent increase in investment property mortgages, peaking at 4,695 in 2022, up from 1,931 in 2018. Principal residences similarly show a general upward trend, though with a dip in 2022 to 50,626 from a high of 64,569 in 2021. Second residences have maintained lower but relatively stable numbers. For investors, these trends could indicate a growing interest in investment properties and shifts in primary residence purchasing, which may affect market dynamics and potential return on investment. Appraisers and insurance agents might find these changes relevant for assessing property values and risks, while real estate agents and potential buyers could leverage this data to strategize on market entry points and investment viability.
Economic Outlook
Polk County, Florida has observed a remarkable increase in average taxable income per tax return from $44,905.00 in 2013 to $60,888.67 in 2021, hinting at a flourishing local economy that could lure investors and new residents. Concurrently, the county has seen a steep rise in average state and local income taxes, notably jumping to $13,457.95 in 2021, indicating increasing tax obligations that might affect financial planning for homeowners and investors alike. Additionally, the average total... Read more
Average Taxable Income per Tax Return in Polk County, FL over the last 9 years
Polk County, FL has seen a notable rise in average taxable income per tax return over the last nine years, jumping from $44,905.00 in 2013 to $60,888.67 in 2021. This upward trend suggests a strengthening local economy, making the area increasingly attractive for potential investors and new residents. For those considering real estate or business opportunities, this growth in taxable income signals a robust consumer base and potential for increased property values.
Average State and Local Income Taxes Per Tax Return in Polk County, FL Over the Last 10 Years
Polk County, Florida has seen a stark increase in average state and local income taxes per tax return over the last decade. Starting at $6,608.54 in 2012, the trend demonstrates significant hikes, particularly notable is the jump to $13,457.95 in 2021. This sharp rise in tax obligations impacts both current and prospective residents, as well as investors, suggesting a growing financial burden that potential stakeholders should factor into their economic forecasts and decision-making processes.
Average Total Tax Liability Per Tax Return in Polk County, FL Over the Last 10 Years
Polk County, Florida has seen a notable rise in the average total tax liability per tax return over the last decade, peaking at $8,964.95 in 2021. This increase, especially the sharp jumps in 2017 and 2021, signals significant economic changes and possibly higher earnings among residents. Such trends are vital for potential investors and homebuyers, indicating a prospering community with a growing tax base.
Cost of Living in Polk County
| Family Size | Housing | Food | Heath Care | Child Care | Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 adults 4 children | $1,565 | $1,520 | $1,948 | $1,073 | $978 |
| 1 adult 4 children | $1,565 | $1,241 | $1,490 | $1,073 | $1,086 |
| 2 adults 3 children | $1,565 | $1,242 | $1,690 | $1,073 | $791 |
| 1 adult 3 children | $1,565 | $1,014 | $1,232 | $1,073 | $840 |
| 2 adults 2 children | $1,157 | $1,017 | $1,432 | $945 | $642 |
| 1 adult 2 children | $1,157 | $759 | $974 | $945 | $590 |
| 2 adults 1 child | $1,157 | $803 | $1,174 | $528 | $644 |
| 1 adult 1 child | $1,157 | $519 | $716 | $528 | $536 |
| 2 adults | $935 | $645 | $917 | $0 | $567 |
| 1 adult | $930 | $352 | $458 | $0 | $506 |
Safety trends & Data
Property crime in Polk County, Florida, saw significant decreases from 2019 to 2020, with burglary offenses down from 438 to 369 and larceny-theft cases falling from 1,839 to 1,468. Motor vehicle thefts and fraud instances also reduced slightly. Despite a minor increase in arson cases, most categories, including vandalism, remained relatively stable. These shifts hint at potentially better security measures or law enforcement efficiency, making the area potentially more attractive for new... Read more
Property Crime Trends in Polk County, FL Over the Last 2 Years
In Polk County, Florida, property crime saw a notable drop from 2019 to 2020, with burglary offenses decreasing from 438 to 369 and larceny-theft cases falling significantly from 1,839 to 1,468. Motor vehicle thefts also saw a slight reduction, and instances of fraud dropped from 307 to 250. While arson cases increased marginally from 3 to 5, most categories, including vandalism, remained relatively stable. These trends could suggest enhanced security measures or improved law enforcement efficiency, presenting potential risk assessment advantages for insurers and a possibly safer environment for new residents and property investors.
Demographics
In Polk County, Florida, there's a near-even split between male and female adults, with slightly more females. When it comes to education, the bulk of adults have at least a high school diploma, but a considerable number don't hold a degree beyond some college education. The age distribution highlights a significant young adult and middle-aged population, while a large senior demographic points to a substantial retirement community. Racially, the population primarily identifies as White, with... Read more
Race Distribution in Polk County, Florida (2022)
Educational Attainment in Polk County, Florida (2022)
Age Distribution in Polk County, Florida
Citizen Population in Polk County, Florida (2022)
Political Trends & Data
Polk County, Florida shows a strong Republican presence with 56.7% of the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election votes, compared to 42.3% for Democrats. Minority parties like the Libertarians and Greens barely made a dent, highlighting a dominant two-party system and a clear Republican leaning in this... Read more
Percentage of Votes in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election by Party
Polk County, Florida, demonstrates a notable preference toward the Republican party, which garnered a majority share of 56.7% of the votes in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. Democrats followed with 42.3%, while minor parties like the Libertarian and Green parties collectively captured just a small fraction of the electorate, suggesting that third-party influence remains quite limited in this region. This distribution hints at a predominantly two-party dynamic, with a clear lean toward Republican candidates.
56.69% of voters voted for the Republican party in the 2020 Presidential Election
42.26% of voters voted for the Democrat party in the 2020 Presidential Election
0.76% of voters voted for the Livertarian party in the 2020 Presidential Election
0.12% of voters voted for the Green party in the 2020 Presidential Election
0.18% of voters voted for the Other party in the 2020 Presidential Election
School Data
Polk County, Florida, has seen its student-to-teacher ratio oscillate, hitting 18 in both 2015 and 2023, and reaching a low of 15 around 2017. This generally surpasses the current national average of 14 students per teacher, suggesting potentially larger class sizes. For investors, movers, or workers in real estate, this trend could be significant as educational quality often impacts property values and community... Read more
Student-to-teacher ratio in Polk County, Florida over the last 10 years
Polk County, Florida has experienced fluctuations in its student-to-teacher ratio over the last decade, with notable peaks in 2015 (18) and 2023 (18), and dips around 2017 (15). Compared to the current US national average of 14 students per teacher, Polk County generally trends higher. For those looking to invest, move to, or work within Polk County’s educational system, this could imply larger class sizes, potentially affecting individual student attention and educational outcomes. This can be crucial information for appraisers, insurance agents, builders, and real estate agents as educational quality often influences property values and desirability within communities.
