Polk County, Tennessee
Polk County sits in the southeastern corner of Tennessee, tucked right against the Georgia and North Carolina borders. Much of the county is covered by Cherokee National Forest, giving the area plenty of forests, mountains, and outdoor scenery.
Benton serves as the county seat and sits in the northwestern part of the county. It’s a small community, but it has plenty of character. The Ocoee River is one of the county’s biggest attractions and gained international attention when it hosted the whitewater events during the 1996 Olympics. That’s quite a claim to fame for a small Tennessee county!
The Copper Basin is another important part of Polk County’s history. Copper mining played a major role in shaping the area for generations, leaving its mark on both the communities and the landscape. The land is still recovering from those years of mining, but nature is slowly reclaiming the area and bringing back its green beauty.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Polk County |
| County Seat | Benton |
| Population | Approximately 17,000 |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Benton, Copperhill, Ducktown |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Highway 64, U.S. Highway 411 |
| FIPS Code | 47-139 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 442 square miles (435 sq mi land, 7 sq mi water) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Monroe County (Northeast), Cherokee County, North Carolina (East), Fannin County, Georgia (Southeast), Murray County, Georgia (Southwest), Bradley County (West), McMinn County (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone (EST) |
| State | Tennessee |
| Coordinates | 35°10’N, 84°38’W |
| Etymology | Named after James K. Polk, the 11th President of the United States |
| Major Landmarks | Ocoee River, Cherokee National Forest, Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park |
