Arkansas

Polk

19,221
2020 population
1850
first census record
18
census records

About Polk

Polk, Arkansas, first appears in the United States federal census in 1850, when it recorded a population of 1,263. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 19,221.

Its recorded population peaked at 20,662 in 2010, and has since declined by roughly 7 percent.

On the ground today, 2 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Battle of Devil's Backbone, Skirmish at Backbone Mountain (alternate engagements), and 32 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202019,221
201020,662
200020,229
199017,347
198017,007
197013,297
196011,981
195014,182
194015,832
193014,857
192016,412
191017,216
190018,352
18909,283
18805,857
18703,376
18604,262
18501,263
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Polk

Military engagements that took place in Polk, Arkansas.

Battle of Devil's Backbone
1863
Skirmish at Backbone Mountain (alternate engagements)
1864

Historic places in Polk

National Register of Historic Places listings in Polk, Arkansas.

Bogg Springs Hotel
Bogg Springs
Janssen Park
Mena
St. Agnes Catholic Church
Mena
Shaver, James D., House (Additional Documentation)
Mena
State Line Marker
Mena
Bard Springs Picnic Shelter
Athens
Elks Lodge
Mena
Studebaker Showroom
Mena
Buckeye Vista Overlook
Athens
Sugar Creek Vista Overlook
Athens
Mena Commercial Historic District
Mena
Mountain Fork Bridge
Mena
Mena Kansas City-Southern Depot
Mena
National Guard Armory
Mena
Ebenezer Monument
Mena
Old Post Office
Mena
Polk County Courthouse
Mena
Foster, C. E., House
Mena
Bard Springs Bathhouse
Athens
Tall Peak Fire Tower
Athens
Bard Springs Dam No. 2
Athens
Bard Springs Dam No. 1
Athens
Browse all Arkansashistoric sites ›

Other counties in Arkansas

Explore census history and historic records for more Arkansas counties.

DeshaDrewFaulknerFranklinFultonGarlandGrantGreeneHempsteadHot SpringHowardIndependenceIzardJacksonJeffersonJohnsonLafayetteLawrenceLeeLincoln
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Polk County, Arkansas

This page charts the census history of Polk County, Arkansas. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Polk County, Arkansas report
Or see a real report first

Explore Arkansas records

Arkansashistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Military engagements ›Notable people from Arkansas›

Frequently asked about Polk

When does Polk first appear in the US census?
Polk, Arkansas first appears in the federal census in 1850, with a recorded population of 1,263.
What is the population of Polk?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Polk had a recorded population of 19,221.
When did Polk's population peak?
Polk's recorded population peaked at 20,662 in 2010.
Were any battles fought in Polk?
2 documented military engagements took place in Polk, including Battle of Devil's Backbone, Skirmish at Backbone Mountain (alternate engagements).
How many historic places are in Polk?
32 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Polk, Arkansas.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report