Polk

Formed January 1, 1853 (45^th county)

Polk County (44,979), Balsam Lake (938), Amery (2,964)

The Modern tan brick and concrete building was constructed in 2002.  It is on Main Street between 150^th Street and Eagles Drive.  Main Street is Wisconsin State Highway 46.  The 1974 courthouse now serves as the Administration Center.  There was an 1899 version earlier.  Venture Architect designed the newest courthouse.  The county was established on January 1, 1853 from Saint Croix County as the 45^th county and Balsam Lake has always been the county seat.  The county is named for United States President James K. Polk.  Balsam Lake is named for the lake.  Polk County is the birthplace of 1 Wisconsin Governor, Gaylord A. Nelson. 

Polk County government consists of a sheriff and 15 Supervisors.  Two Circuit Court Judges and Four Municipal Court Judges serve Polk County.  The county is located on the northwest border with Minnesota.  Minneapolis, Minnesota is southwest and Green Bay, Wisconsin is east of the county.  The county center is 3.3 miles East-Southeast of Balsam Lake.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Burnett, Barron, Dunn, and Saint Croix counties and Minnesota. 

The area of the county is 914.0 square miles.  It is 17 out of 72 in the state.  It ranks 33 out of 72 in population in the state.  It has a density of 49.2 persons per square mile making it 37 out of 72 in the state.  Polk County has 34.7% of its population in its incorporated areas.  United States Highway 8 crosses through the county east to west from Barron County to Minnesota.  United States Highway 63 enters from Barron County, east, and exits to Saint Croix County, south.  The county could be described as a one-sided fire hydrant.  Balsam Lake is located near the center of the county.  Amery is in the southeast quarter of the county.  Balsam Lake is the county seat and Amery is the largest city.  Balsam Lake is 2.1% of the county population while Amery is 6.6% of the county population.