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1
Anatomy of Traffic Safety – Polk County
Bureau of Transportation Safety
Revised: 11/3/16
2
Characteristics of the County and the Road Network
Polk County is a nonmetropolitan county that is adjacent to the Minneapolis/St. Paul/Bloomington
metropolitan area according to the U.S. census. 14.53% of the county’s population live in urban areas.
Burnett County is to the north, Barron County is to the east, St. Croix County is to the south, and Chisago
County (MN) is to the west. The St. Croix River comprises the western border of the county, across
which is the state of Minnesota. Washington County (MN) is to the southwest, although there is no
bridge from Polk County into Washington County on that portion of the St. Croix River. The St. Croix
River forms a valley. Areas along the river are much lower in elevation than eastern areas of the county.
The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway includes the entirety of the St. Croix River. Interstate State Park,
which contains The Dalles of the St. Croix River, near St. Croix Falls, Standing Cedars State Natural Area
and Osceola Bedrock Glades State Natural Area near Osceola, and Governor Knowles State Forest in the
town of Sterling and the town of Eureka are along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Straight Lake
State Park is northeast of Luck and southeast of Frederic in the town of Luck and the town of Bone Lake.
The Gandy Dancer State Trail begins in St. Croix Falls and travels north through Centuria, Milltown, Luck,
and Frederic before exiting the county and eventually ending in Superior. The Cattail State Trail begins
in Amery and heads east through Turtle Lake before exiting the county and ending in Almena. Stower
Seven Lakes State Trail begins in Amery and heads west through the rural areas, ending in the town of
Osceola southeast of Dresser. Other significant natural areas include Rice Beds Creek Wildlife Area,
McKenzie Creek Wildlife Area, Joel Marsh Wildlife Area, and Balsam Branch Wildlife Area. There are
nearly 27 square miles of county forests in Polk County, in addition to approximately 14 square miles of
state forests. There are hundreds of lakes in the county, including Balsam Lake, Bone Lake, Wapogasset
Lake, Big Round Lake, Deer Lake, Apple River Flowage, and Half Moon Lake.
United States Highway (USH) 8 is a primary arterial traveling from east to west through the center of the
county through St. Croix Falls and Turtle Lake. To the east, USH 8 heads toward Almena, Barron,
Cameron, Ladysmith, and Rhinelander. To the west, USH 8 travels toward Taylors Falls, Shafer,
Lindstrom, and Chisago City in Minnesota. USH 8 carries traffic toward Minneapolis/St. Paul by
connecting with Interstate 35 to the north of the cities. USH 63 is a north-south primary arterial that
travels through Clear Lake, Clayton, and Turtle Lake. In Turtle Lake, USH 8 and USH 63 are concurrent as
the highways exit the county to the east. To the north, USH 63 travels to Cumberland, Shell Lake,
Spooner, and Hayward, and to the south, it travels to Baldwin, Ellsworth, and Red Wing (MN). In St.
Croix County, USH 63 connects with State Trunk Highway (STH) 64 as well as I-94, both of which carry
traffic to and from Minneapolis/St. Paul.
STH 35 is designated as a north-south highway that travels from southwest to northeast in western and
north-central areas of the county through Osceola, Dresser, St. Croix Falls, Centuria, Milltown, Luck, and
Frederic. STH 35 is concurrent with USH 8 for four miles from St. Croix Falls east to a point three miles
south of Centuria. To the north, STH 35 goes to Siren, Webster, and Superior, and to the south, it heads
toward Somerset, Hudson, and River Falls. STH 46 begins at STH 35 in Milltown and heads south
through Balsam Lake and Amery on its way to Deer Park and USH 63 in St. Croix County. STH 46 is
concurrent with USH 8 four about 4.5 miles from a point south of Balsam Lake to a point north of
Amery. STH 65 begins at USH 8 in the town of Balsam Lake and heads south through rural areas of the
3
county and then to Star Prairie, New Richmond, Roberts, and River Falls. STH 87 begins at USH 8 in St.
Croix Falls and heads north through rural areas of the county and then head to Grantsburg. STH 48 is
designated as an east-west highway that travels through Frederic and Luck in northern sections of the
county. STH 48 is concurrent with STH 35 between Frederic and Luck. To the west, STH 87 travels to
Grantsburg and to the east it travels to Cumberland and Rice Lake. STH 243 begins at STH 35 in Osceola
and heads west crossing the St. Croix River into Minnesota where the highway is signed as Minnesota
State Highway 243. This highway connects with Minnesota State Highway 95, which parallels the St.
Croix River on the Minnesota side of the river. This bridge carries traffic between Osceola and Dresser
and the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
There are 1,986 miles of roadway in the county, including 159 (8.0%) miles of state roads, 331 (16.7%)
miles of county roads, 1,485 (74.8%) miles of local roads, and 11 miles of another type.
In 2015, there were 18,045 autos, 3,491 cycles, 4,353 trailers, and 27,570 trucks registered in Polk
County. VMT in 2015 was 597,238,185.
4
Municipalities
Incorporated municipalities account for 34.7% of the county’s population. The city of Amery is the
largest municipality in the county, followed by the town of Osceola, the town of Alden, the village of
Osceola, and the town of Lincoln. 46.7% of the county’s population reside in municipalities along STH
35. 8.8% of the population of Turtle Lake reside in Polk County, and the rest reside in Barron County.
The following table1 includes 2015 population estimates for the municipalities within the county as of
January 1, 2015. For municipalities in multiple counties, the table only includes the population that
resides in the county.
1 1 Source: Wisconsin Demographic Services Center
Place Name Final Estimate 2015
T Alden 2,792
T Apple River 1,158
T Balsam Lake 1,404
T Beaver 838
T Black Brook 1,343
T Bone Lake 722
T Clam Falls 612
T Clayton 988
T Clear Lake 901
T Eureka 1,663
T Farmington 1,843
T Garfield 1,695
T Georgetown 988
T Johnstown 529
T Laketown 969
T Lincoln 2,202
T Lorain 277
T Luck 911
T McKinley 352
T Milltown 1,228
T Osceola 2,866
T St. Croix Falls 1,159
T Sterling 775
T West Sweden 691
V Balsam Lake 1,034
V Centuria 941
V Clayton 569
V Clear Lake 1,066
V Dresser 898
V Frederic 1,135
V Luck 1,097
V Milltown 915
V Osceola 2,593
V Turtle Lake 92
C Amery 2,917
C St. Croix Falls 2,096
COUNTY POPULATION 44,259
5
Emergency Medical Services
Polk County has three designated trauma centers. Amery Regional Medical Center in Amery, Osceola
Medical Center in Osceola, and St. Croix Regional Medical Center in St. Croix Falls are all level IV trauma
centers. Not having access to a level I or level II trauma facility within Polk County gives residents a
lesser chance of receiving the best possible outcomes from crash incidents. Regions Hospital in St. Paul,
Minnesota, a level I trauma center, is 61 miles away from Balsam Lake, the county seat.
6
As of 2015, there are 358 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Polk County operating out of 16
different EMS providers. A complete list of emergency service providers is listed below.
There are 8.09 EMTs per 1,000 persons in the county, compared to 3.85 EMTs per 1,000 persons
statewide.
Emergency Service Provider Number of EMTs
AMERY FIRE DEPT 17
APPLE RIVER FIRST RESPONDERS 14
BALSAM LAKE FIRST RESPONDERS 13
CENTURIA FIRE AND RESCUE 6
CLAYTON FIRST RESPONDERS 13
CLEAR LAKE AMBULANCE SERVICE 22
CLEAR LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRST RESPONDERS 3
COUNTY LINE FIRST RESPONDERS 7
CUSHING FIRST RESPONDERS 9
DRESSER OSCEOLA GARFIELD FIRE ASSOCIATION 21
Lakes Region EMS D/B/A St Croix Valley EMS 62
MUNICIPAL AMBULANCE SERVICE 40
North Land Municipal Ambulance Inc-Frederic (No Rpt) 52
North Land Municipal Ambulance Inc-Luck 50
OSCEOLA AREA AMBULANCE SERVICE 17
ST CROIX FALLS FD 12
TOTAL 358
7
Economic Profile
2
Major employers in the county include Advanced Food Products, Clear Lake School District, Oxbo
International Corp., and Specialty Coating Systems in Clear Lake; Amery Regional Medical Center,
Cardinal LG Co., Golden Age Manor, Lake Wapogasset Lutheran Bible Camp, and Monarch Paving Co. in
Amery; Bishop Fixture and Millwork Inc. and Unity School District in Balsam Lake; Engineered Plastic
Components, Ladd Memorial Hospital, Northwire NWI Lab 360, and Polaris Industries Inc. in Osceola;
Good Samaritan St. Croix Valley, Menards, St. Croix Medical Center, Walmart Supercenter, and Weir
Minerals Linatex in St. Croix Falls; Tenere Inc. and Trollhaugen Winter Recreation Area and Convention
Center in Dresser; and Weir Mineral Linatex in Luck.3
2 Source: County Business Patterns, 2014 3 Source: Major Employers. Wisconsin’s WORKnet. Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Utilities
Transportation and warehousing
Finance and insurance
Arts, entertainment, and recreation
Professional, scientific, and technical services
Administrative and support…
Construction
Wholesale trade
Other services (except public administration)
Accommodation and food services
Retail trade
Health care and social assistance
Manufacturing
Polk County by Employment Sector
8
Polk County’s unemployment rate has been, on average, 1.0% higher than the state’s unemployment
rate for the last decade.
4
Workers who Reside in Polk County Work in: People who Work in Polk County Reside in:
Polk County 12,779 Polk County 12,779
St. Croix County 1,847 St. Croix County 995
Washington County, MN 1,291 Barron County 747
Ramsey County, MN 1,011 Chisago County, MN 630
Barron County 840 Burnett County 543
Chisago County, MN 715 Washington County, MN 131
Hennepin County, MN 689 Ramsey County, MN 114
Burnett County 465 Dunn County 99
Anoka County, MN 289 Others 353
Dakota County, MN 192
Pierce County 55
Dunn County 53
Others 628 5
Workers traveling to and from St. Croix County may use STH 35, STH 46, STH 65, or USH 63. In addition
to those highways, workers to and from Minnesota may use USH 8 or STH 243. Commuters to and from
Barron County may use USH 8/63 or STH 48. Workers traveling to and from Burnett County may use
STH 35, STH 48, or STH 87.
4 Source: Unemployment rates, not seasonally adjusted. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 5 Source: American FactFinder, Geography Area Series: County Business Patterns 2013 Business Patterns -
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12.0%
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Unemployment Rates, Polk County & WI, 2006-2015
Polk County Wisconsin
9
In 2013-2014, there were 166 licensed liquor establishments in the county. The following is a table of
license type by municipality. Establishments within a municipality but outside the county are not
included in the table.
CODE DESCRIPTION
AB Beer for sale off-site (convenience stores, grocery stores)
AL Liquor for sale off-site (drug stores, wineries)
ALB Beer, wine, or liquor for sale off site
BB Beer for sale on-site
BL Liquor for sale on-site (winery)
BLB Beer or liquor for sale on-site (bars, supper clubs)
CW Wine for sale on-site (restaurants) (usually in conjunction with BB)
Am
ery
Bal
sam
Lak
e
Cen
turi
a
Cla
yto
n
Cle
ar L
ake
Dre
sser
Fred
eric
Luck
Mill
tow
n
Osc
eola
St. C
roix
Fal
ls
Turt
le L
ake
Tow
ns
Tota
l (B
y Li
q. L
icen
se)
Class A beer (off-sale) AB 3 1 1 2 1 1 3 2 6 20
Class A liquor or Class A
beer/Class A liquor (off-
sale)
AL
or
ALB
3 1 1 3 1 3 2 2 2 3 2 12 35
Class B beer only (on/off
sales) BB 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 5 17
Class B beer (on/off
sales) and Class C wine
BB
&
CW
1 2 1 4
Class B liquor or Class B
beer and Class B liquor
BL
or
BLB
8 6 3 1 5 3 4 3 3 5 8 1 40 90
others 0
Total (By Municipalities) 16 9 4 2 8 4 10 8 8 13 17 3 64 166
10
Population Change
Between April 2010 and January 2015, the Wisconsin Demographic Services Center estimates that the
county has experienced 2,115 births and 1,817 deaths. 244 more persons are estimated to have moved
away from Polk County than have moved to the county during this time period. Overall, the county saw
its population increase by 54 persons during this time period.
The American Community Survey (ACS) projects that the median age of Polk County is 43.7 years old as
of 2014, which is older than the statewide median age of 38.8.6 The ACS also estimated in 2014 that
17.3% of Polk County residents were ages 65 or greater, greater than the state average of 14.4%.7 An
aging population is more vulnerable to significant injuries in vehicle crashes at any speed.
6 Age and Sex. U.S. Census Bureau, 2009-2014 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates 7 American Community Survey 5 year estimates, years 2009-2014
12.0%
21.1%
10.2%
2.4%
54.2%
0.0%
0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0%
AB
AL or ALB
BB
BB & CW
BL or BLB
others
Liquor Licenses in Polk County, 2013-2014
8.4%
16.1%
6.1%
3.6%
64.6%
1.2%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0%
AB
AL or ALB
BB
BB & CW
BL or BLB
others
Liquor Licenses in Wisconsin, 2013-2014
11
Financial Impacts of Crashes (2010-2014)
In the years 2010-2014, there were on average $48,959,491.60 in total costs, including estimated
medical costs, estimated other costs, and estimated quality of life costs annually. An estimated 205.6
years of life were lost as a result of crashes annually. Crashes in which alcohol or drugs were a
contributing factor resulted in $15,747,081.60 in total costs and 136.8 years of life annually.8
8 University of Wisconsin-Madison, Center for Health Systems Research & Analysis, Wisconsin CODES Project: Wisconsin CODES Report Builder Custom Reporting System accessed on 10/20/2016
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Polk County 42.1 42.5 42.8 43.2 43.7
Wisconsin 38.1 38.3 38.5 38.7 38.8
30.0
32.0
34.0
36.0
38.0
40.0
42.0
44.0
46.0
Median Age, Polk Co. & Wisc., 2010-2014
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Polk County 15.6% 15.9% 16.3% 16.7% 17.3%
Wisconsin 13.4% 13.5% 13.7% 14.1% 14.4%
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12.0%
14.0%
16.0%
18.0%
20.0%
% of Population 65+, Polk County and WI, 2010-2014
12
Crash Statistics
Crashes in Polk County by Type, 2011-2015 Averages
Average
Total Fatal
Crashes
Average
Non-Fatal
Injury
Crashes
Average
Alcohol or
Drug-
Related
Fatal
Crashes
Average
Alcohol or
Drug
Related
Non-Fatal
Injury
Crashes
Average
Speed
Related
Fatal
Crashes
Average
Speed
Related
Non-Fatal
Injury
Crashes
Average
Inattention-
Related Fatal
Crashes
Average
Inattention-
Related Non-
Fatal Injury
Crashes
6.2 185.0 2.6 28.8 2.0 58.4 1.0 46.8
Polk
County
% of
crashes
that were
fatal
1.0%
% of
alcohol
or drug
related
fatal
crashes
to all
fatal
crashes
41.9%
% of
speed
related
fatal
crashes
to all
fatal
crashes
32.3%
% of
inattention
related
fatal
crashes to
all fatal
crashes
16.1%
Wisconsin
% of
crashes
that were
fatal
0.4%
% of
alcohol
or drug
related
fatal
crashes
to all
fatal
crashes
48.5%
% of
speed
related
fatal
crashes
to all
fatal
crashes
28.2%
% of
inattention
related
fatal
crashes to
all fatal
crashes
18.1%
13
Location of Crashes in Polk County by Road Type, 2011-2015
Total
Fatal
Crashes
Total
Non-Fatal
Injury
Crashes
Alcohol
or Drug-
Related
Fatal
Crashes
Alcohol
or Drug
Related
Non-Fatal
Injury
Crashes
Speed
Related
Fatal
Crashes
Speed
Related
Non-
Fatal
Injury
Crashes
Inattention
-Related
Fatal
Crashes
Inattention
- Related
Non-Fatal
Injury
Crashes
US/State
Highways 61.3% 46.2% 46.2% 38.9% 50.0% 35.3% 80.0% 54.3%
County
Highways 12.9% 22.4% 23.1% 21.5% 0.0% 26.7% 20.0% 18.4%
Local
Roads 25.8% 31.5% 30.8% 39.6% 50.0% 38.0% 0.0% 27.4%
Driver Possible Contributing Circumstances for All Crashes in Polk County, 2011-2015
14%
5%
9%
10%
17%
21%
24%
OTHER CATAGORIES
LEFT OF CENTER
DRIVER CONDITION
FAIL YIELD R-O-WAY
SPEED TOO FAST/COND
INATTENTIVE DRIVING
FAILURE TO CONTROL
Driver Possible Contributing Circumstances for All Crashes in Polk
County, 2011-2015
20%
5%
9%
12%
16%
17%
21%
OTHER CATAGORIES
DRIVER CONDITION
FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE
SPEED TOO FAST/COND
FAIL YIELD R-O-WAY
FAILURE TO CONTROL
INATTENTIVE DRIVING
Driver Possible Contributing Circumstances for All Crashes in State
of Wisconsin, 2011-2015
14
Fatalities and Incapacitating “A” Injuries by Age and Gender
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
4 &under
5-14 15-2425-3435-4445-5455-6465-7475-84 85 &over
Fatalities and Incapacitating Injuries by Age, 2011-2015
KILLED A-INJURY
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
Fatalities and Incapacitating Injuries by Age, State of
Wisconsin 2011-2015
KILLED A-INJURY
Male59%
Female41%
Fatalities and Incapacitating Injuries by Gender, 2011-2015
Male59%
Female41%
Fatalities and Incapacitating Injuries by Gender, State of
Wisconsin 2011-2015
15
Fatalities and Incapacitating “A” Injuries by State and Place of Residence
*Local is defined as persons with addresses that have ZIP codes fully or partially within Polk County.
Safety Equipment Usage in Passenger Cars and Light Trucks during Crashes, 2011-2015
Belted Unbelted
Fatalities and "A" Injuries 70.2% 29.8%
Other, 3%WI, 83%
MN, 14%
Fatalities and Incapacitating "A" Injuries by State of Residence, 2011-2015
Local*, 66.4%
Non-Local, 33.6%
Fatalities and Incapacitating "A" Injuries by Place of Residence, 2011-2015
79.0%79.9%
82.4%
84.7%85.8%
88.4%
74.0%
76.0%
78.0%
80.0%
82.0%
84.0%
86.0%
88.0%
90.0%
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Statewide Safety Belt Use Rate
16
2014-2016 Grant Participation
2014
Alcohol Occupant Protection Speed
Polk County Sheriff's Office
Amery Police Dept
Balsam Lake Police Dept
Centuria Police Dept
Clayton Police Dept
Clear Lake Police Dept
Dresser Police Dept
Frederic Police Dept
Luck Police Dept
Milltown Police Dept
Osceola Village Police Dept
St. Croix Falls Police Dept
Turtle Lake Police Dept
2015
Polk County Sheriff's Office
Amery Police Dept
Balsam Lake Police Dept
Centuria Police Dept
Clayton Police Dept
Clear Lake Police Dept
Dresser Police Dept
Frederic Police Dept
Luck Police Dept
Milltown Police Dept
Osceola Village Police Dept
St. Croix Falls Police Dept $10K, 98.1% liq.
Turtle Lake Police Dept
2016
Polk County Sheriff's Office Was Eligible Was Eligible
Amery Police Dept Was Eligible
Balsam Lake Police Dept Was Eligible
Centuria Police Dept Was Eligible
Clayton Police Dept Was Eligible
Clear Lake Police Dept Was Eligible
Dresser Police Dept Was Eligible Was Eligible
Frederic Police Dept Was Eligible
Luck Police Dept Was Eligible
Milltown Police Dept Was Eligible
Osceola Village Police Dept Was Eligible
St. Croix Falls Police Dept Was Eligible
Turtle Lake Police Dept
2017
Polk County Sheriff's Office Eligible Eligible
Amery Police Dept Eligible
Balsam Lake Police Dept Eligible
17
Centuria Police Dept Eligible
Clayton Police Dept Eligible
Clear Lake Police Dept Eligible
Dresser Police Dept Eligible
Frederic Police Dept Eligible
Luck Police Dept Eligible
Milltown Police Dept Eligible
Osceola Village Police Dept Eligible
St. Croix Falls Police Dept Eligible
Turtle Lake Police Dept
The Polk County OWI Task Force consists of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Amery Police Department,
Clear Lake Police Department, Clayton Police Department, Luck Police Department, Osceola Police
Department, and St. Croix Falls Police Department. This task force was also in operation in 2015. In
2014, the participating agencies were the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Amery Police Department,
Osceola Police Department, and St. Croix Falls Police Department.
The Polk County Speed Enforcement Task Force consists of St. Croix Falls Police Department and Osceola
Police Department.
Turtle Lake Police Department participates on the Barron County Seat Belt Task Force and the Barron
County OWI Task Force.
Agency Mobilizations 2014-2015
2014 Alcohol
Crackdown
2014 Booze
and Belts
2014
CIOT
2015 Drive
Sober
2015 Booze
and Belts
2015
CIOT
Polk County Sheriff's Office
Amery Police Dept Yes Yes
Balsam Lake Police Dept
Centuria Police Dept Yes Yes
Clayton Police Dept
Clear Lake Police Dept Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Dresser Police Dept
Frederic Police Dept
Luck Police Dept Yes Yes
Milltown Police Dept
Osceola Village Police Dept Yes Yes Yes Yes
St. Croix Falls Police Dept Yes
Turtle Lake Police Dept Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
The Wisconsin State Patrol participates in all three mobilizations each year. Law enforcement agencies
in Polk County should participate for the chance to win an equipment grant.
18
TraCS Participation
Polk County Sheriff's Office TraCS 73
Amery Police Dept TraCS 10
Balsam Lake Police Dept TraCS 73
Centuria Police Dept TraCS 73
Clayton Police Dept TraCS 10
Clear Lake Police Dept TraCS 10
Dresser Police Dept No
Frederic Police Dept No
Luck Police Dept TraCS 10
Milltown Police Dept TraCS 10
Osceola Village Police Dept TraCS 10
St. Croix Falls Police Dept TraCS 10
Turtle Lake Police Dept TraCS 10
Agencies Reporting Fatal Crashes and Crashes with Incapacitating “A” Injuries, 2011-2015
AMERY POLICE DEPARTMENT 5 BALSAM LAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT 1
CENTURIA POLICE DEPARTMENT 1 DRESSER POLICE DEPARTMENT 1
MILLTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT 1 OSCEOLA POLICE DEPARTMENT 2
POLK COUNTY SHERIFF 184 ST CROIX FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT 6
WISCONSIN STATE PATROL 4 TOTAL 205
These agencies could work together to coordinate their enforcement to arrive at a strategy to prevent
serious crashes from occurring.
Contact Information
RPM Beth Heflin (608) 598-9669
SPM Theresa Nelson (608) 709-0062
