Home Insurance in Polk County, Oregon
Homes in Polk County carry a median value of $454,700 - close to the Oregon median.
The typical home in Polk County was built around 1990. About 16% of homes were built before 1960, about 8 points below Oregon's 23%. Aging wiring, roofing and plumbing in older homes can push up the cost to insure or rebuild them.
In Polk County, the housing stock is 70% single-family homes, 15% apartments in buildings with 5+ units and 6% mobile or manufactured homes. Mobile and manufactured homes typically need a manufactured-home (HO-7) policy rather than a standard homeowners policy.
65% of owner-occupied homes in Polk County carry a mortgage, and mortgage lenders require hazard insurance for as long as the loan is active.
About 65% of occupied homes in Polk County are owner-occupied. The vacancy rate is 5%; vacant or unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form than an owner-occupied policy.
Most homes in Polk County - 55% - are primarily heated with electricity. Homes heated with wood can carry added fire risk. Fuel-tank leaks and spills are often excluded from standard homeowners policies.
The top hazards for Polk County, per FEMA's National Risk Index, are earthquake (Relatively Moderate), inland flooding (Relatively Low) and wildfire (Very Low). Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake, so separate coverage is usually needed.
As of September 2026, Polk County has 424 active NFIP flood insurance policies. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so flood coverage needs a separate NFIP or private flood policy.
In Oregon, the statewide average premium for a standard HO-3 homeowners policy is $1,003 per year (NAIC, 2023 data).
Key figures
| Median home value | $454,700 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1990 |
| Owner-occupied share | 65% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 65% |
| Top hazards (FEMA National Risk Index) | Earthquake (Relatively Moderate), Inland Flooding (Relatively Low), Wildfire (Very Low) |
| Active NFIP flood policies (county) | 424 |
| Home insurance premium | $1,003 - statewide average (NAIC, 2023 data) |
Towns and cities
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer Files (2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates (2024)
- FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025)
- FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3 (2026)
- NAIC Dwelling Fire, Homeowners Owner-Occupied, and Homeowners Tenant and Condominium/Cooperative Unit Owners Insurance: Data for 2023 (published 2026) (2023)