Polk County | |
|---|---|
 Polk County Courthouse in Benton | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee | |
 Tennessee's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 35°08′N 84°31′W / 35.13°N 84.52°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Tennessee |
| Founded | November 28, 1839 |
| Named for | James K. Polk[1] |
| Seat | Benton |
| Largest town | Benton |
| Area | |
| • Total | 442 sq mi (1,140 km2) |
| • Land | 435 sq mi (1,130 km2) |
| • Water | 7.7 sq mi (20 km2) 1.7% |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 17,544  |
| • Density | 40.33/sq mi (15.57/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | www |
Polk County is a county located in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 United States census, its population was 17,544.[2] Its county seat is Benton.[3] The county was created on November 28, 1839, from parts of Bradley and McMinn counties, after final removal of most Cherokee from the region that year. The county was named after then-governor (and future president) James K. Polk. Polk County is included in the Cleveland, Tennessee Metropolitan Area Statistical Area, which is also included in the Chattanooga–Cleveland–Dalton, TN–GA–AL Combined Statistical Area.
- ^ Marian Bailey Presswood, "Polk County," Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Retrieved: March 19, 2013.
- ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.