Polk County, North Carolina Population
Current Population
20,533
Estimated July 1, 2025
+1,155 residents(+6.0%)since 2020
Latest Official Census
19,328
2020 Census
Population Over Time
Estimated population changed from 19,378 in 2020 to 20,533 in 2025.
| Year | Population | Change | % change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 19,378 | — | — |
| 2021 | 19,701 | +323 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | 19,998 | +297 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | 20,032 | +34 | +0.2% |
| 2024 | 20,388 | +356 | +1.8% |
| 2025 | 20,533 | +145 | +0.7% |
2020 Census (official count): 19,328
Sources & Methodology
The current population figure is an annual estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program. The 2020 Census is shown separately as the official benchmark.
Current estimate — 20,533 · July 1, 2025
U.S. Census Bureau — County Resident Population Estimates (CO-EST2025-ALLDATA), Vintage 2025
Official Census — 19,328 · April 1, 2020
U.S. Census Bureau — 2020 Census Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171), table P1 — county totals (SUMLEV 050)
These figures can differ because the Census and annual population estimates are produced at different times using different methods. Both are shown so you can distinguish the most current estimate from the official Census benchmark.
How the change since 2020 is calculated
Both endpoints come from the same Census Bureau Population Estimates Program release, so the comparison is like for like: 19,378 on July 1, 2020 and 20,533 on July 1, 2025. The change is the later estimate minus the earlier one (+1,155), and the percentage is that change divided by the 2020 estimate (+6.0%). The Decennial Census count is never used as an endpoint here — it is an enumeration on a different reference date, produced by a different method, so subtracting one from the other would measure the difference between two methods as well as the change in population.
U.S. Census Bureau — County Resident Population Estimates (CO-EST2025-ALLDATA), Vintage 2025
Incorporated places in Polk County
3 incorporated places
- FIPS code
- 37149
- Classification
- county