Voter file loaded June 3, 2026 · figures are from that file, held as a fixed record
Polk County, North Carolina has 15,122 active registered voters — 39.3% Republican, 19.5% Democratic, and 40.7% with no party affiliation, as of July 2026.
Party registration
Most reliable-voting precincts
| # | Precinct | Active voters | Supervoters | Supervoter % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TR123 | 2,706 | 1,699 | 62.79% |
| 2 | CL08 | 2,673 | 1,616 | 60.46% |
| 3 | SA04 | 1,526 | 895 | 58.65% |
| 4 | GC09 | 2,548 | 1,486 | 58.32% |
| 5 | CL07 | 2,260 | 1,286 | 56.9% |
| 6 | CG05 | 1,712 | 960 | 56.07% |
| 7 | WO06 | 1,697 | 896 | 52.8% |
Supervoters are active registered voters who cast a ballot in at least 3 of the last 4 November general elections (2018–2024). Percentages are precinct totals from the official state voter file — no individual voter information is shown. Precincts with fewer than 400 active voters are excluded.
How Polk County voted for president
Election results are public records.
Polk County at a glance.
Polk County had an estimated 20,320 residents in July 2024, the 80th most populous of North Carolina's 100 counties, up 5.2% since the 2020 census. Of those, 17,270 are 18 or older, the voting-age population, and 33.7% are 65 or older. Its 15,122 active registered voters equal about 87.6% of that voting-age population.
It covers 238 square miles of land (86 people per square mile), and 83.8% of residents live outside any incorporated city or town. The largest cities and towns are Tryon (1,611), Columbus (1,041) and Saluda (part) (644). The American Community Survey (2020-2024) puts it at a median age of 54.9, a median household income of $67,758, 36.2% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 76.9% of occupied homes owned by the people living in them.
In 2024, 13,032 votes were cast for president, about 75.5% of the voting-age population; the Democratic ticket took 37.0% and the Republican ticket 62.2%. The two-party margin moved from R+15.1 in 2008 to R+25.2 in 2024.
- Population (2024 estimate)
- 20,320
- Population (2020 census base)
- 19,324
- Voting-age population (18+)
- 17,270
- Active voters per 100 adults
- 87.6
- Residents 65 and older
- 33.7%
- People per square mile
- 86
- Living outside incorporated places
- 83.8%
- Land area
- 238 sq mi
- Median age
- 54.9
- Median household income
- $67,758
- Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree
- 36.2%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 76.9%
Largest cities and towns
- Tryon 1,611
- Columbus 1,041
- Saluda (part) 644
Presidential vote, 2008–2024
| Year | Democratic | Republican | Margin | Votes cast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 37.0% | 62.2% | R+25.2 | 13,032 |
| 2020 | 36.6% | 62.2% | R+25.6 | 12,358 |
| 2016 | 34.6% | 62.8% | R+28.2 | 10,723 |
| 2012 | 38.7% | 60.2% | R+21.5 | 10,323 |
| 2008 | 41.6% | 56.7% | R+15.1 | 10,562 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 population estimates and 2024 Gazetteer; American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates; certified county presidential returns. Growth, density and turnout are simple arithmetic on those figures.
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