Polk County, Tennessee

Polk County
Polk County Courthouse in Benton
Polk County Courthouse in Benton
Official seal of Polk County
Map of Tennessee highlighting Polk County
Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee
Map of the United States highlighting Tennessee
Tennessee's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°08′N 84°31′W / 35.13°N 84.52°W / 35.13; -84.52
Country United States
State Tennessee
FoundedNovember 28, 1839
Named forJames K. Polk[1]
SeatBenton
Largest townBenton
Area
 • Total442 sq mi (1,140 km2)
 • Land435 sq mi (1,130 km2)
 • Water7.7 sq mi (20 km2)  1.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total17,544 Increase
 • Density40.33/sq mi (15.57/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.polkgovernment.com

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.

  1. ^ Marian Bailey Presswood, "Polk County," Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Retrieved: March 19, 2013.
  2. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.