RANK #962 / 1001 NAT · #59 / 72 TX · POP 52,800
1YR FORECAST: -2.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +7%
Polk County, Texas, is defined by Lake Livingston, one of the largest lakes in Texas, offering 450 miles of shoreline and extensive water recreation opportunities like fishing, boating, and swimming. Located in the East Texas Timberlands, approximately 75 miles northeast of Houston, the county seat of Livingston serves as a central hub. The area features rolling hills and pine forests, providing a rural atmosphere. Commutes to Houston are possible via US Highway 59/I-69. The Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation, the oldest in Texas, is also located in Polk County.
Life in Polk County often appeals to retirees and families seeking a quieter lifestyle. The economy has historically relied on timber, with new investments in wood product manufacturing continuing this trend. Healthcare is another expanding sector, with facilities like CHI St. Luke's Health Memorial Livingston serving the growing population. Tourism and hospitality around Lake Livingston also contribute to the local economy, with opportunities for camping, fishing, and various water sports. Public education is provided by several independent school districts, including Livingston, Onalaska, and Corrigan-Camden.
Polk County is one of 76 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of -3.9% matches the profile's typical -3.7%.
See all 76 Sun Belt Post-Surge Correction counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 13.9x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Polk County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Corrigan OSB Manufacturing Facility
Corrigan OSB, L.L.C. (RoyOMartin)
|
$211M | Under Construction |
|
Umbriel Solar Facility
Longroad Energy
|
$202M | Operating |
|
Segno Solar Facility
Entergy Texas, Inc. (ETI)
|
$170M | Proposed |
|
Broadband and Fiber Infrastructure Expansion
Polk County, Eastex Telephone
|
$50M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Polk County scores just 3/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #962 of 1001 counties. Job growth at +2.6% and median household income of $62,259 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Polk County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $184,800 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.34, with rents averaging $987/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Polk County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.0% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.6% clip. Home values shifted -3.9% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 9.23% of Polk County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.