Polk County, North Carolina

Founding: 1855
Parent counties: Henderson and Rutherford
Namesake: William Polk, North Carolina politician
Seat: Columbus (1855–)
Land area: 238 square miles
Population (2020): 19,328
Population (historic): 4,043 (1860); 5,062 (1880); 7,004 (1900); 10,216 (1930)
Periods of population growth: per-1860–1940; 1960–2010
Subdivisions: One city; two towns; six townships
National Register listings: 26
Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 1,227 (10.4%)
Pre-1940 housing survival rate: 40.5%
Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940): 7.6%

Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 31.3%

Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 13.8%

Average farmhouse value (1930): $560
Average outbuilding value (1930): $192

Average farmhouse size (1940): 4.9 rooms

Number of farms (1920): 1,200
Average farm size (1920): 23.1 acres
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Columbus

 
Namesake: Columbus Mills, local politician
Founding: 1855 (platting); 1856 (post office); 1857 (incorporation)
Population (2020): 1,060
Population (historic): 71 (1880); 334 (1900); 340 (1930)
Periods of population growth: pre-1880–1900; 1910–1960; 1980–2010
Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 33 (5.7%)
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Outstanding Buildings

1. *Green River Plantation / Carson Farm (c. 1805/1850/1890). 6333 Coxe Road.