| Polk County, Tennessee | |
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Polk County Courthouse in Benton
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Location in the state of Tennessee |
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Tennessee's location in the U.S. |
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| Founded | 1839 |
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| Seat | Benton |
| Largest city | Benton |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
442 sq mi (1,146 km²) 435 sq mi (1,127 km²) 7 sq mi (19 km²), 1.65% |
| Population - (2010) - Density |
16,825 37/sq mi (14/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 |
Polk County is a county located in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee. It was created 28 November 1839 from parts of Bradley and McMinn counties. The county had a population of 16,820 in 2010. Its county seat is Benton[1]. The county was named after then-governor James Knox Polk.
It is included in the Cleveland, Tennessee, Metropolitan Statistical Area.
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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 442 square miles (1,140 km2), of which 435 square miles (1,130 km2) is land and 7 square miles (18 km2) is water. The total area is 1.65% water.
Much of the terrain of eastern Polk County is mountainous, including Big Frog Mountain, constituting part of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Large tracts of Polk County are part of the Cherokee National Forest. The Ocoee River, site of whitewater slalom events in the Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympic Games, runs through Polk County and is vital to one of the county's major industries, whitewater rafting. The calmer Hiwassee River, a tributary of the Tennessee River which flows through northern Polk County, is also used for rafting and tubing.
In November 2009, a large rockslide closed U.S. Highway 64 through the Ocoee River Gorge, the county's main road connecting populated areas near Ducktown with the county seat in Benton. TDOT officials estimated that it will take over 2 months and $2.1 million to clear the road for traffic.[2]
It is also home to two high schools, Copper Basin and Polk county High School. Polk County High School holds one of the most active FFA Chapters in the State. Additionally, Polk County High School has won multiple national titles such as the Future Business Leaders of America Web Development national champions.
On December 12, 1863 Brigadier-General Jeff C. Davis of the Second Division 14th Army Corps US reported to General Sherman about the condition of the area around the Ocoee and Hiawassee Rivers. He reported that the area was rich in corn, wheat and meat. The Confederates have taken some but left a good supply for their people. The road from Benton to Spring Place, Georgia was reported in good condition. His only concerns were Confederate Guerrillas hid in the mountains and a large Confederate Cavalry force in the area of Red Clay.
Also on December 12, the 21st Kentucky US occupied Boyd's Mill near Benton on the Ocoee River.
December 1863- Colonel Eli Long Second Brigade Second Cavalry Division US reported. On the Federal Road Federals under Col. Long captured 300 hogs belonging to the Confederate Government. Another 500 Hogs were captured at the mouth of the Ocoee River.
As of the census[3]of 2010, there were 16,825 people, 6,653 households, and 4,755 families residing in the county. The population density was 38.7 people per square mile. There were 7,991 housing units at an average density of 18.4 per square mile. There were 6,653 households out of which 26.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.60% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.30% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.96. The racial makeup of the county was 97.5% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% Asian, 0.0002% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. 1.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
In the county, the population was spread out with 22.14% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 20 to 24, 10.20% from 25 to 34, 21.60% from 35 to 49, 21.70% from 50-64, and 17.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.5 years.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $29,643, and the median income for a family was $36,370. Males had a median income of $27,703 versus $21,010 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,025. About 9.70% of families and 13.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.80% of those under age 18 and 18.40% of those age 65 or over.
SCHOOLS [K-5] Benton Elementary, Copper Basin Elementary, and South Polk Elementary; [6-8] Chilhowee Middle School; [6-12] Copper Basin High School; [9-12] Polk County High School
| McMinn County | Monroe County | |||
| Bradley County | Cherokee County, North Carolina | |||
| Polk County, Tennessee | ||||
| Murray County, Georgia | Fannin County, Georgia |
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