Population18,592 (2025 est.)
Mountain Country at a Three State Meeting
Polk County, TennesseePolk County occupies Tennessee’s southeastern corner, bordering both Georgia and North Carolina. Benton serves as the county seat in a landscape that includes parts of Cherokee National Forest and Big Frog Wilderness. The Hiwassee River and the area’s Cherokee history are essential to understanding its development. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 18,592 residents in Polk County, Tennessee, on July 1, 2025.
Polk County at a Glance
Population18,592 (2025 est.)
County SeatBenton
Largest TownBenton
Established1839
ZIP CodesSee postal resources
Total Area, Including Water442 sq mi (total)
Major RoutesSee transportation resources
Area CodesVaries by community
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Discover Polk County
Polk County
Polk County was created in 1839 from parts of Bradley and McMinn counties after the forced removal of most Cherokee people from the region. It was named for James K. Polk, then Tennessee’s governor. Earlier treaty cessions had already divided the area, including land north of the Hiwassee River. Benton became the county seat. This history of dispossession and boundary-making is an essential part of understanding the mountain county’s later communities and civic identity.
Benton provides a civic reference point, while the county’s mountain landscape reaches toward both Georgia and North Carolina. Parts of Cherokee National Forest and Big Frog Wilderness add protected natural areas. The Hiwassee River helps orient another part of the county. Mountain distances and separate access points matter when planning a visit, so choosing one community or forest area first gives more time to understand the surrounding landscape.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
Polk County occupies Tennessee’s southeastern corner, bordering both Georgia and North Carolina. Benton serves as the county seat in a landscape that includes parts of Cherokee National Forest and Big Frog Wilderness.
Community History
Polk County was created in 1839 from parts of Bradley and McMinn counties after the forced removal of most Cherokee people from the region.
Around the County
Benton provides a civic reference point, while the county’s mountain landscape reaches toward both Georgia and North Carolina. Parts of Cherokee National Forest and Big Frog Wilderness add protected natural areas.
Mountain communities connect across rivers and state boundaries.
A Closer Look
Polk County
Places and perspectives from Polk County
Polk County headlines via Google News
Service now restored after fiber optic line was cut in Polk County, TN - Local 3 News
Service now restored after fiber optic line was cut in Polk County, TN Local 3 News
Read the Story Oct 15, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Polk County
Stories from every corner of Polk County.
Service now restored after fiber optic line was cut in Polk County, TN - Local 3 News
Service now restored after fiber optic line was cut in Polk County, TN Local 3 News
Oct 15, 2026 • 2 min read
TDOT litter grant helps Tennessee counties fight roadside trash and protect rivers - wtvcfox
TDOT litter grant helps Tennessee counties fight roadside trash and protect rivers wtvcfox
Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Tennessee comptroller urges new Polk County officials to fix long-standing audit findings - wtvcfox
Tennessee comptroller urges new Polk County officials to fix long-standing audit findings wtvcfox
Sep 18, 2026 • 2 min read
Tigers' oldest rivalry continues Friday at Polk County - The Daily Post-Athenian
Tigers' oldest rivalry continues Friday at Polk County The Daily Post-Athenian
Sep 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Chargerettes get revenge at Polk County - The Daily Post-Athenian
Chargerettes get revenge at Polk County The Daily Post-Athenian
Sep 14, 2026 • 2 min read
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Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Benton Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 215 Schoolhouse Hill RD, Benton, TN 37307. 423-299-0090.
Polk County High School – High; grades 09-12. 7200 Highway 411 North, Benton, TN 37307. 423-299-0078.
Chilhowee Middle School – Middle; grades 06-08. 215 Schoolhouse Hill RD, Benton, TN 37307. 423-299-0086.
Polk Innovative Learning Academy – Other; grades KG-12. 131 Stephens ST, Benton, TN 37307. 423-299-0471.
Copper Basin Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-06. 206 Cougar DR, Copperhill, TN 37317. 423-496-3271.
South Polk Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 964 Old Federal RD, Old Fort, TN 37362. 423-338-4512.
Copper Basin High School – High; grades 07-12. 205 Cougar DR, Copperhill, TN 37317. 423-496-3291.
Hospitals
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Public Safety
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Emergency Services
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Parks & Public Lands
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Trails
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Utilities
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
West Polk Public Library – 126 Polk Street, Benton, TN 37307. 423-338-4536.
East Polk Public Library – 136 Main Street, Suite A, Ducktown, TN 37326. 423-548-4004.
Courts
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
DMV
Tennessee — Title and Registration
Tennessee — Renewing Your License or Identification
Transportation
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Polk County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Polk County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
18,592 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
442.291 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with these official Tennessee resources: Address Change; Title and Registration; Renewing Your License or Identification. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Polk County was created in 1839 from parts of Bradley and McMinn counties after the forced removal of most Cherokee people from the region. It was named for James K. Polk, then Tennessee’s governor. Earlier treaty cessions had already divided the area, including land north of the Hiwassee River. Benton became the county seat. This history of dispossession and boundary-making is an essential part of understanding the mountain county’s later communities and civic identity.
Benton provides a civic reference point, while the county’s mountain landscape reaches toward both Georgia and North Carolina. Parts of Cherokee National Forest and Big Frog Wilderness add protected natural areas. The Hiwassee River helps orient another part of the county. Mountain distances and separate access points matter when planning a visit, so choosing one community or forest area first gives more time to understand the surrounding landscape.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 434.605 square miles of land and 7.686 square miles of water in Polk County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Polk County had an estimated 17,558 residents on July 1, 2020, and 18,592 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 1,034 residents, or about 5.9%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Benton is the county seat of Polk County, Tennessee.
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Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Local Businesses
Businesses Serving Polk CountyExplore the businesses listed for this county.
Businesses serving Polk County
Additional county facts: county overview and references.
Connect with local businesses.Polk County