About The Area

 

Polk County is located in what is referred to as the "Thermal Belt" of North Carolina.  Because of this, Polk County enjoys a more pleasant climate (cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter) year round than other areas in North Carolina with the same altitude.

Situated nicely within the central Blue Ridge Mountains and foothills, Polk County was probably founded by Hernando DeSoto in 1540.  He most likely found the Cherokee Indians already in an advanced state of civilization and they proved to be skillful hunters and farmers making the area highly sought after for the European settlers.

It wasn't  until 1855 that the area was officially named a county and was named in honor of the Revolutionary war hero Colonel William Polk.

There are three municipalities and six townships that make up Polk County.  Columbus is the county seat and unlike most places in North Carolina it was not established because of its proximity to crossroads or its closeness to water.  It was intentionally carved from 100 acres of wilderness and was done so "overnight."  It was divided into 94 lots with seven reserved for public, civic and spiritual needs.  The new town was incorporated in 1857.

Tryon is an equestrian lover's dream.  Steeplechases, dressage, hunter-jumper and carriage-driving events are more than a 50-year tradition in Tryon.

Come to Polk County, North Carolina and see why people like Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald were regular guests.

                                    "Y'all Come back now...."

Quick Facts

Geography and Climate

• Lowest Elevation - 806 feet
• Highest Elevation - 3967 feet
• Average Rainfall - 49.91 inches
• Average Snowfall - 2.74 inches
• Average Daily January Temperature - 40ºF
• Average Daily July Temperature - 78ºF

Population (2006)

• Polk County - 18,324
• Tryon - 1,760
• Columbus - 993