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Polk County. Quality of Life in Northwest Wisconsin.
Nestled alongside the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and carved by the National Ice Age Trail, Polk County is located in the heart of Indianhead country in northwestern Wisconsin. It offers a diversity of attractions to the visitor, as well as to its residents.
Polk County is located adjacent to the northeast corner of the Twin Cities Metro Area. The northern half of the County is principally forest and lakes and the southern half is 1/3 forest, 2/3 agriculture and lakes.
You will find some of the best outdoor recreation in the Midwest in Polk County. It’s no coincidence that the area’s stunning lakes have been the setting for two Governor’s Fishing Openers in the last decade. We have close to 400 (clean) lakes and about 100 miles of trout streams. Polk County also has 250 miles of canoe routes and a variety of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling and skiing. Camping is available at Wisconsin’s oldest state park, Interstate State Park, which is renowned for its famous Dalles of the St. Croix. Boat and train tours, apple orchards, car shows and seven golf courses are just some of the activities you can expect to find in Polk County.
Polk County has access to the Incentives that the State of Wisconsin offers businesses expanding in our region. In addition, the Polk County Economic Development Corporation and the Polk County Renewable Energy Committee have teamed up with several of our municipalities to support Bio-Mass, Bio-fuel and businesses that use our natural and renewable resources. 4 – 6 acre lots in the Industrial Parks of these municipalities are no cost to qualifying businesses.
Polk County, created in 1853 from St Croix County, is named after James Knox Polk, the 11th President of the United States. Located in northwest Wisconsin, the county seat is Balsam Lake.
Cost of Living: 74% (100% is National Average)
Average Commute: 23.9 Minutes
Population Density: 55 (Residents per square mile)
Median Age: 36.7
Total Households: 16,118
Average Temp in January: 18° F
Average Temp in July: 68° F
Polk County - approx. 45,611
Balsam Lake (county seat) - approx. 1,063,
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To/From
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Miles
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Mpls/St. Paul
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61
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Madison, WI
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262
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Duluth, MN
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128
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Green Bay, WI
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258
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Milwaukee, WI
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322
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Chicago, IL
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391
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