What's at stake for Polk County?
Polk County has had one of the highest population increases since 2000. Nearly 12,000 residents are on the Oregon Health Plan, and more than 1,200 seniors and people with disabilities are receiving long-term care. The county’s unemployment rate (9.4%) is a point better than the state level.
Children and Families
| Total Population: |
75,403 |
| Child population (0-17): |
16,068 |
| Median family income: |
$57,700 |
| Average cost of child care per month: |
$588.67 |
| Percentage of population over the age of 65: |
15.1% |
Impacts of the Recession
| Poverty Rate: |
13.2% |
| Number of low-income children: |
6,251 |
| Number of children in families receiving cash assistance (TANF): |
866 |
| Number of children in families receiving food stamps (SNAP): |
4,685 |
| Number of children receiving Employment Related Day Care (ERDC): |
419 |
| Rates of bankruptcy (per 1000): |
4.22 |
| Kids in foster care: |
281 |
Education
| Number of students enrolled in K12 schools: |
6,673 |
| Number of children in Head Start/pre-K: |
273 |
| Kids eligible for free/reduced lunch: |
53.8% |
| Homeless students: |
195 |
| High School graduation rate: |
85.5% |
| College degree rate: |
25.3% |
Health Care
| Percentage of children who have access to certified School-Based Health Center: |
0% |
| Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term or in-home care: |
1,227 |
| Residents on the Oregon Health Plan: |
11,558 |
Jobs
| Unemployment (Dec 2010): |
9.4% |
| Total employment number: |
17,114 |
| Percentage employed in the public sector, including schools: |
28.8% |
| Number of people employed in Health Services, including long-term care for seniors: |
2,144+ |
