RANK #694 / 996 · POP 87,600 · OR
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.0%
Polk County, Oregon, distinguishes itself with the historic town of Independence, once the final destination for early wagon trains on the Oregon Trail. Located in the Willamette Valley, approximately 15 miles west of Salem, the county offers a blend of rural landscapes and small-town living. Residents have access to outdoor recreation, including riverfront parks, island trails, and old-growth forests, particularly along the Willamette River and its tributaries. Popular spots include Minto-Brown Island Park and the Valley of the Giants Outstanding Natural Area. The climate provides four distinct seasons with an average of 222 days of sunshine annually.
Life in Polk County often involves a commute, with the average resident spending about 25.3 minutes driving to work, though public transit options like Cherriots Regional connect towns such as Dallas, Monmouth, and Independence to Salem. Western Oregon University in Monmouth contributes to the area's educational landscape and provides employment. The economy is supported by agriculture, particularly fruit, nuts, and hops, alongside a focus on value-added agricultural products. Efforts are also underway to enhance tourism, especially agri-tourism, and to improve infrastructure, including transportation access and broadband internet.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 13.6x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Polk County has a Boom Town Index score of 30/100, ranking #694 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.1% and a median household income of $77,353, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Polk County is $382,200 with median rent at $1,219/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2024, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.1%. Home values changed +0.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 7.28% of Polk County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.