Polk is an unincorporated community in Jackson County, West Virginia, United States. It is located in the northern part of the county, near the Ohio River, approximately 7.4 miles northwest of the town of Ravenswood.
Geography
Polk is situated at coordinates 39°3′4″N 81°47′46″W, at an elevation of approximately 591 feet (180 meters) above sea level. The community lies in the Ohio River Valley region of western West Virginia, within the Appalachian foothills. The terrain consists of gently rolling hills and alluvial bottomlands. The Ohio River borders the area to the west, and Polk Creek, a tributary, runs through the vicinity.
Administrative Status
As an unincorporated community, Polk lacks its own municipal government (mayor or town council) and is governed directly by the Jackson County Commission, based in the county seat of Ripley, approximately 20 miles to the south. Services such as fire protection, law enforcement, and road maintenance are provided at the county level.
History
The area that includes Polk was part of Jackson County, which was established on March 1, 1831, from portions of Kanawha, Mason, and Wood counties. Early European settlement in the region began after the American Revolutionary War, with pioneers arriving in the late 1790s. Land transactions along Polk Creek date to the mid-19th century, such as the 1842 sale of 165 acres by William Powers to Thomas Powers and Pamelia Hart. The local economy historically centered on subsistence agriculture (corn, wheat, livestock), timber harvesting, and trade via the Ohio River. The community's name is associated with the Polk family, who were early settlers and operated the nearby Murraysville Post Office.
Demographics and Economy
Polk is not separately enumerated by the U.S. Census; its residents are included in Jackson County's population figures. The area remains sparsely populated and rural. The economy relies on agriculture, small-scale businesses, and commuting to nearby towns such as Ravenswood or across the Ohio River for employment. The ZIP code 26164 (Ravenswood and surrounding areas) covers Polk.
Transportation
Polk is primarily accessed by West Virginia Route 68, a north-south state highway that parallels the Ohio River. U.S. Route 33 passes through Ravenswood to the south, providing connections to Interstate 77 near Ripley.
References
- U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Polk, West Virginia (GNIS ID 1549880)
