Polk County, North Carolina Housing Market
In Polk County, North Carolina, the median home value is $315,000, with a median monthly rent of $1,178. This places Polk County at #551 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #21 within North Carolina.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $877
- Establishments: 676
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 141
- Multi-family: 0
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 8,627 (avg $89,853)
- Outflow: 7,817 (avg $85,852)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 2 active ZIP codes in Polk County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28139 | 285.4 | +7.62% | 2025 |
| 2 | 28782 | 306.2 | -0.81% | 2025 |
Source: FHFA HPI for Five-Digit ZIP Codes (All-Transactions Index, 2000 = 100).
This product uses FHFA Data but is neither endorsed nor certified by FHFA.
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💰 Mortgage Guide → 🧾 Property Tax Data →How Polk County Compares
| Metric | Polk County | North Carolina Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $315,000 | $235,312 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $1,178 | $976 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 76.9% | 71.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 22.3 | 19.8 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Polk County is 33.9% above the North Carolina state average and 38.3% above the U.S. national average. The median rent of $1,178/month is 20.7% above the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 22.3, renting is generally more cost-effective than buying in the short to medium term. The market favors buyers only for long-term holds.
Polk County has an owner-occupancy rate of 76.9%, compared to 71.8% in North Carolina and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more homeowner-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | Vermont | $315,000 | $1,163 |
| Petersburg Borough | Alaska | $315,100 | $950 |
| Bastrop County | Texas | $314,800 | $1,410 |
| Louisa County | Virginia | $315,300 | $1,220 |
| Lafayette County | Mississippi | $315,400 | $1,085 |
Other Counties in North Carolina
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln County | $321,000 | $1,015 | 78.9% |
| Iredell County | $321,400 | $1,252 | 71.9% |
| Johnston County | $305,600 | $1,146 | 76.1% |
| Pender County | $299,000 | $1,106 | 82.7% |
| Carteret County | $333,300 | $1,108 | 74.7% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-14. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).