Polk County is a county in Nebraska, United States, on rolling farmland between the Platte and Big Blue river valleys. It had a population of 5,214 at the 2020 census and covers 438 square miles (1,130 km2) of land centred near 41°11′N 97°34′W.
Osceola is the county seat, and its postal code is 68651. The county has two incorporated cities, two incorporated villages, and two unincorporated communities, spread across nine civil townships. Polk County is in the Central time zone.
Towns & Villages in Polk County
Polk County has six named places: two cities, two villages, and two unincorporated communities. City and village status follows Nebraska’s population-based classification; the smaller unincorporated places have a store or grain elevator but no municipal government.
| Place | Type | Township | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osceola | City · seat | Osceola | 867 | 68651 |
| Stromsburg | City | Stromsburg | 1,180 | 68666 |
| Polk | Village | Platte | 295 | 68654 |
| Shelby | Village | Hackberry | 691 | 68662 |
| Durant | Unincorp. | Island | — | 68651 |
| Swedehome | Unincorp. | Clear Creek | — | 68666 |
Townships
| Township | Pop. (2020) | Main settlements |
|---|---|---|
| Stromsburg | — | Stromsburg |
| Osceola | — | Osceola |
| Hackberry | — | Shelby |
| Platte | — | Polk |
| Island | — | Durant |
| Clear Creek | — | Swedehome |
| Canada | — | rural |
| Pleasant Home | — | rural |
| Valley | — | rural |
ZIP Codes
- 68651 — Osceola (also serves Durant)
- 68666 — Stromsburg (also serves Swedehome)
- 68654 — Polk
- 68662 — Shelby
All four ZIP codes are standard delivery routes; the county has no PO-Box-only or single-entity ZIPs.
Geography
Polk County sits on the till plains of east-central Nebraska. The Platte River flows northeastward along the county’s northwest boundary, and Big Blue tributaries drain the county’s southern townships. Most of the land is cultivated cropland, with corn and soybeans dominating the rolling terrain.
Polk County borders Platte County to the north, Merrick County to the west, Hamilton County to the southwest, York County to the south, Seward County to the southeast, and Butler County to the east.
Demographics
Polk County had 5,214 residents at the 2020 census. Stromsburg is the largest community with 1,180 people, followed by Osceola’s 867. Median household income in the county runs below the Nebraska median of $74,590, typical of a farming-dependent county this size. Population density is roughly 12 people per square mile, among the more sparsely settled counties in southeastern Nebraska.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture drives the county economy, with grain farming and livestock operations dominating outside the two city centers. Stromsburg, settled largely by Swedish immigrants, hosts Swedish Festival each June, one of the county’s best-known annual events. Osceola functions as the seat of county government and serves the surrounding farm trade.
History
Polk County was established on January 26, 1856, and formally organized on August 6, 1870. It is named for James K. Polk, the eleventh U.S. president. Swedish immigrants settled heavily around Stromsburg in the 1870s, giving the town its lasting Scandinavian heritage, still marked today by the annual Swedish Festival.
Getting There
U.S. Route 81 crosses the county north-south, and Nebraska Highways 39, 66, 69, and 92 provide the main east-west and local links.
- Columbus, Nebraska — 25 miles north
- York, Nebraska — 22 miles south
- Grand Island, Nebraska — 30 miles west
- Lincoln, Nebraska — 55 miles southeast
The nearest commercial airport is Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island; Lincoln Airport offers broader service about an hour southeast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Polk County, Nebraska?
It is in east-central Nebraska, along the Platte River valley, between Columbus and York.
What is the population of Polk County?
5,214 people at the 2020 census.
How big is Polk County?
438 square miles (1,130 km2) of land, plus 2.3 square miles of water.
What is the county seat of Polk County?
Osceola is the county seat.
How many towns are in Polk County?
Six named places: the cities of Osceola and Stromsburg, the villages of Polk and Shelby, and the unincorporated communities of Durant and Swedehome.
What ZIP codes are in Polk County?
68651 (Osceola), 68666 (Stromsburg), 68654 (Polk), and 68662 (Shelby).
Why is it called Polk County?
It is named for James K. Polk, who was U.S. president when the county was established in 1856.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Nebraska.