| Year | Won | Margin | Democratic | Republican | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | R | 1,356 | 7,302 | 8,727 | |
| 2020 | R | 1,492 | 6,792 | 8,360 | |
| 2016 | R | 1,252 | 5,097 | 6,520 | |
| 2012 | R | 1,856 | 4,108 | 6,059 | |
| 2008 | R | 2,124 | 4,267 | 6,501 | |
| 2004 | R | 2,724 | 3,924 | 6,700 | |
| 2000 | R | 2,574 | 2,907 | 5,594 | |
| 1996 | D | 2,450 | 1,910 | 4,770 | |
| 1992 | D | 2,583 | 1,584 | 4,610 | |
| 1988 | R | 2,073 | 2,297 | 4,391 | |
| 1984 | R | 2,112 | 2,785 | 4,960 | |
| 1980 | D | 2,470 | 2,414 | 4,960 | |
| 1976 | D | 3,284 | 1,835 | 5,155 | |
| 1972 | R | 1,431 | 2,285 | 3,772 | |
| 1968 | R | 1,454 | 1,808 | 4,016 | |
| 1964 | D | 2,113 | 1,685 | 3,798 | |
| 1960 | R | 1,532 | 2,187 | 3,751 | |
| 1956 | R | 1,533 | 2,136 | 3,669 | |
| 1952 | R | 1,821 | 2,283 | 4,104 | |
| 1948 | R | 1,412 | 1,529 | 2,990 | |
| 1944 | D | 4,842 | 378 | 5,226 | |
| 1940 | D | 3,611 | 562 | 4,173 | |
| 1936 | D | 2,283 | 1,755 | 4,062 | |
| 1932 | D | 2,540 | 1,642 | 4,182 | |
| 1928 | R | 1,012 | 1,760 | 2,784 | |
| 1924 | R | 1,150 | 1,247 | 2,431 | |
| 1920 | R | 775 | 1,018 | 1,811 | |
| 1916 | R | 767 | 887 | 1,671 | |
| 1912 | D | 867 | 533 | 2,031 | |
| 1908 | R | 747 | 1,175 | 1,922 | |
| 1904 | R | 688 | 1,006 | 1,694 | |
| 1900 | R | 737 | 906 | 1,644 | |
| 1896 | R | 749 | 947 | 1,702 | |
| 1892 | R | 656 | 694 | 1,408 | |
| 1888 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1884 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1876 | — | — | — | — |
Polk County, tucked against the Georgia border in the Appalachian highlands, recorded an R+68.1 presidential margin in 2024 — among the widest in the state — reflecting a rural, small-population electorate that has shifted decisively over recent cycles.
The Republican margin in Polk County reached its widest at sixty-eight points in 2024. The margin in 2024 was sixty-eight points, in line with the county's deep historical pattern.
Polk County's loyalty is rooted in its place. Median household income of $62,522, a 90% non-Hispanic-white share, and a population of 17,898 together describe a community whose political habits are deeply settled. The county's voting pattern over the last decade is most similar to that of Sharp County and Montgomery County.