Polk County, Texas


Polk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 [United States census|2020 census], its population was 50,123. Its county seat is Livingston. The county is named after President James K. Polk. The Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation of the federally recognized tribe is in Polk County, where the people have been since the early 19th century. They were forcibly evicted by the federal government from their traditional territory in the Southeast. The 2000 census reported a resident population of 480 persons on the reservation. The tribe reports 1,100 enrolled members. The Tribe also has a casino named Naskila.
WWW Official Site

History

[Image:Confederate memorial in Polk County, TX IMG 8279.JPG|thumb|200px|right|Ike Turner Camp Confederate Monument, Livingston, Texas]
Polk County, named for James Knox Polk of Tennessee, President of the United States, was created by an act of the first Legislature of the State of Texas, approved on March 30, 1846, out of Liberty County, and embraced that portion from the part designated as the "Northern Division" of said county. It was one of the first of a series of 23 counties, formulated, constituted, and established by the State of Texas, after annexation to the United States.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 50,123. The median age was 47.7 years. 18.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 24.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 111.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 113.0 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 72.5% White, 9.8% Black or African American, 2.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 7.6% from some other race, and 7.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 14.7% of the population.
11.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 88.8% lived in rural areas.
There were 18,969 households in the county, of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.0% were married-couple households, 18.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 24,622 housing units, of which 23.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.0% were owner-occupied and 23.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.8%.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, 41,133 people, 15,119 households, and 10,915 families were residing in the county. The population density was. The 21,177 housing units averaged. The racial makeup of the county was 79.64% White, 13.17% African American, 1.74% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 3.75% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. About 9.39% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 15,119 households, 28.8% had children under 18 living with them, 57.9% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were not families. About 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.50, and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county, the age distribution was 22.9% under 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 18.00% who were 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.70 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 109.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,495, and for a family was $35,957. Males had a median income of $30,823 versus $21,065 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,834. About 13.3% of families and 17.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.1% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those 65 or over.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which are covered by water.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Education

School districts:
The county is in the district for Angelina College. Polk County College / Commerce Center was completed in 2013 and is located on the U.S. Highway 59 Bypass. Angelina College offers advanced curriculum study and technical training at this location. The facility provides public auditorium space and may be used as a mass shelter in a disaster event.

Infrastructure

[Image:Polk County Judicial Center, Livingston, TX IMG 8276.JPG|200px|right|thumb|Polk County Judicial Center, Livingston, Texas]
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Allan B. Polunsky Unit is located in West Livingston. This has been the location of the Texas men's death row since 1999.

Transportation

Major highways

Mass transportation

Greyhound Lines operates the Livingston Station at the Super Stop Food Mart in Livingston.

Airport

West Livingston has the Livingston Municipal Airport, operated by the City of Livingston.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost town

Notable people