Polk County, TN is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and is home to approximately 16,000 people. The county enjoys a lower-than-average crime rate, making it a desirable place to live for families and retirees alike. Health care is an important factor when considering living in Polk County, and there are several local hospitals and medical facilities that provide quality care. These facilities provide primary care services such as preventative health screenings, vaccinations, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and injuries. In addition to traditional medical services, many local healthcare providers also offer specialized services such as mental health counseling and wound care. Polk County also has many pharmacies available for prescription medications as well as over-the-counter medications. With its abundance of healthcare providers and convenient access to necessary medications, Polk County residents can rest assured that their health needs are taken seriously.
The health of a city has many different factors. It can refer to air quality, water quality, risk of getting respiratory disease or cancer. The people you live around can also affect your health as some places have lower or higher rates of physical activity, increased alcohol intake, smoking, obesity, and cancer rates.
Physicians per Capita
There are 107 physicians per 100,000 population in Polk County. The US average is 210 per 100,000 people.
Health Cost Index
The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Polk County area is 128.5 (lower=better). The US average is 100.
128.5 / 100
Example: 110 = 10% more expensive than national average.
Water Qualtiy Index
The annual BestPlaces Water Quality Index for the Polk County area is 67 (100=best). The US average is 55.
67 / 100
Note that this is a measure of Watershed quality, not the water that comes from your faucet. The EPA has stated that a healthy watershed is closely related to drinking water quality. The EPA has a complex method of measuring watershed quality using 15 indicators such as pH, chemicals, metals, and bacteria.
Superfund Index
The annual BestPlaces Superfund Index for the Polk County area is 68 (100=best). The US average is 87.
68 / 100
The EPA's Superfund program is responsible for cleaning up some of our nation's most contaminated land. Our index is based on the number of active Superfund sites (over 15,000 in the United States), with particular attention paid to those on the National Priorities List which pose the greatest health danger.
Quick Facts
Commuting can effect your health. The average person in Polk County commutes 29.8 minutes one-way, which is longer than the US average of 26.4 minutes.
Air Quality Index
The annual BestPlaces Air Quality Index for the Polk County area is 71 (100=best). The US average is 58.
71 / 100
This is based on new measures of hazardous air pollutants from the EPA, called the National Air Toxics Assessment. This analysis models respiratory illness and cancer risk down to the zip code level, providing better detail and insight than the previous analysis based solely on results from air monitoring stations.