Polk County
County Seat: Dallas
Area (square miles): 741
Population (2018): 79,730
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Population Share: 22%
Households: 29,692
Regional Typical Annual Household Income: $49,583
Poverty & Energy Burden
Energy Burdened* Households: 23%
Federal Poverty Level (family of three): $21,720
200% Federal Poverty Level: $43,440
Annual Energy Burden Gap**: $662
Homes
Homes Built Before 1990: 56%
Owner-occupied Homes: 64%
Renter-occupied Homes: 36%
Energy
Average Annual Residential Electricity: 10,587 kWh
Average Annual Electricity Cost: $1,006
Average Annual Residential Natural Gas Therms: 663
Average Annual Natural Gas Cost: $627
Electricity and Natural Gas Average Costs (percent of typical income): 3%
Home Primary Heating
Electricity: 54%
Natural Gas: 34%
Propane: 1%
Wood: 7%
Travel
Average Annual Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Per Household: 22,595
VMT Cost (fuel, maintenance, repairs): $3,623
VMT as Percent of Regional Typical Income: 7%
VMT as Percent of 200% Federal Poverty Level Income:17%
*An individual or family is considered energy burdened if they spend 6% or more of their income on energy costs.
** Amount needed to reduce energy costs to 6% of household income for household at 200% federal poverty level.