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Polk Township

Address

165 Polk Township Road
PO Box 137
Kresgeville, PA 18333
United States

Email
info@polktwp.org
Phone
Tax Rate
1.25 mills

Polk Township is a peaceful, rural municipality located in the southwestern corner of Monroe County, Pennsylvania, where the Pocono Mountains begin to soften into the rolling hills of the Lehigh Valley. With its blend of forested ridges, open farmland, and historic hamlets, Polk offers a quiet, grounded sense of place rooted in Appalachian heritage.


🗺️ Geographic & Civic Snapshot

  • Established: 1846, named after President James K. Polk
  • Area: ~31.2 square miles (80.8 km²), mostly land
  • Elevation: ~902 feet (275 m)
  • Population: 7,473 (2020 Census)
  • School District: Pleasant Valley School District

🏘️ Villages & Features

  • Kresgeville: The civic and historical heart of the township, home to the first school (1825) and post office (1845)
  • Jonas, Dottersville, and Gilbert (shared with Chestnuthill Township): Small hamlets with deep local roots
  • Pohopoco Creek: Drains the township westward into the Lehigh River, shaping its natural boundaries
  • Pohopoco Mountain: Forms the northern edge, offering scenic views and forested terrain

🏞️ Landscape & Recreation

  • Natural Beauty: Rolling hills, dense forests, and open pastures define the landscape
  • Outdoor Activities: Hiking, fishing, and hunting are popular, with access to nearby state parks and game lands
  • Historic Sites: Includes the Kresgeville Covered Bridge, a local landmark reflecting 19th-century craftsmanship

🏠 Short-Term Rentals (STRs)

  • Regulations: STRs are not permitted in R-1 residential zones
  • Permitted Zones: Allowed in other zoning districts with a license and inspection

🌄 Regional Identity

Polk Township is a place where quiet resilience and natural heritage define daily life. It’s less commercialized than eastern Monroe County, offering a slower pace and stronger connection to land, legacy, and community. Its villages—especially Kresgeville—serve as cultural anchors, with local events and civic pride shaping its identity.

Short Term Rental Information

Short-term rentals in Polk Township are not allowed in residential R-1 Zoned areas. STR is allowed in other zoning districts with a license and inspection. See Short-term Rental Changes in Polk Township. See Polk Township’s STR Ordinance and permit application below.

Polk Township News

Mon, 20 May 2024 00:00:00

ESTATE NOTICE Estate of Denise M. Oney a/k/a Denise Oney a/k/a Denise Marie Oney, lateof Polk Township, Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, deceased.

Editor's Note:

Regarding this announcement here:
http://monroecountyda.com/news/missing-news-releases/

The missing press releases are available here:
https://web.archive.org/web/20230924005040/http://monroecountyda.com/news/

Below is a copy as well, for record keeping purposes:

Mon, 13 May 2024 00:00:00

ESTATE NOTICE Estate of Denise M. Oney a/k/a Denise Oney a/k/a Denise Marie Oney, lateof Polk Township, Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, deceased.

Mon, 06 May 2024 00:00:00

Estate Notice ESTATE OF GERALD L. IOVINO, SR. a/k/a GERALD L. IOVINO, a/k/a GERALD IOVINO, SR., Deceased January 23, 2024, of Polk Township, Monroe County. Letters Testamentary in the above-named estate have been granted to Leonard C. Swanson.

Mon, 06 May 2024 00:00:00

ESTATE NOTICE Estate of Denise M. Oney a/k/a Denise Oney a/k/a Denise Marie Oney, lateof Polk Township, Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, deceased.

Education in particular stands out with Polk Township ranking as one of the best places to live in Pennsylvania for 2019. It is ranked 7th out of 839 ...

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 00:00:00

Estate Notice ESTATE OF GERALD L. IOVINO, SR. a/k/a GERALD L. IOVINO, a/k/a GERALD IOVINO, SR., Deceased January 23, 2024, of Polk Township, Monroe County. Letters Testamentary in the above-named estate have been granted to Leonard C. Swanson.

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 00:00:00

Estate Notice ESTATE OF GERALD L. IOVINO, SR. a/k/a GERALD L. IOVINO, a/k/a GERALD IOVINO, SR., Deceased January 23, 2024, of Polk Township, Monroe County. Letters Testamentary in the above-named estate have been granted to Leonard C. Swanson.

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 00:00:00

MONROE COUNTY S POLLING PLACE LIST BARRETT ONE 1 1 BARRETT NS ROUTE 390 CRESCO PA 18326 Handicap Access BARRETT TWO E NS O E ES O 183 Handicap Access ON E O E Are Political Signs Allowed at Polling Place ON E O YES E Are Political Signs Allowed at Polling Place CHESTNUTHILL ONE 1 WEST END FIRE COMPANY DOWNSTAIRS 128 ROUTE 715 BEHIND WAWA BRODHEADSVILLE PA 18322 Handicap Access Are Political Signs Allowed at Polling Place CHESTNUTHILL TWO 2 ST JOHN S LUTHERAN CHURCH 164 MERWINSBURG RD EFFORT PA 18330 Handicap Access Are Political Signs Allowed at

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 00:00:00

ESTATE NOTICE Estate of Franklin L. Barlieb, lateof Polk Township, Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, deceased.

POLK TWP., MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A woman is accused of throwing her dog out of her car and then reported it stolen.

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 00:00:00

Sheriff’s Sale OF VALUABLE REAL ESTATE By virtue of a Writ of Execution issued out of the Court of Common Pleas of Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to 1180 CIVIL 2023 I, Nick Cirranello, Sheriff of Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will expose the following described real estate to be sold at a public online auction conducted by Bid4Assets, 8757 Georgia Ave., Suite 520, Silver Springs, MD 20910 on: Thursday, April 25, 2024 AT 10:00 A.M.

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 00:00:00

Sheriff’s Sale OF VALUABLE REAL ESTATE By virtue of a Writ of Execution issued out of the Court of Common Pleas of Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to 1154 CIVIL 2016 I, Nick Cirranello, Sheriff of Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will expose the following described real estate to be sold at a public online auction conducted by Bid4Assets, 8757 Georgia Ave., Suite 520, Silver Springs, MD 20910 on: Thursday, April 25, 2024 AT 10:00 A.M.

This residential 3.92-acre property for sale in Monroe County, PA can be your dream property with a 1743 square foot house.

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 00:00:00

ESTATE NOTICE Estate of Barry Evan Rosenfeld, a/k/a Barry E. Rosenfeld, Late of the Township of Polk, County of Monroe, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Letters of Administration have been granted to the Administrator named below, who request that all persons having claims or demands against the Estate of the Decedent to make known the same, and all persons indebted to the Decedent to make payments without delay to: Linda J. Rosenfeld c/o Norris, McLaughlin, P.A.

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 00:00:00

ESTATE NOTICE Estate of Edward T Simon, late of Polk Township, Monroe County County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, deceased.

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00

ESTATE NOTICE Estate of Barry Evan Rosenfeld, a/k/a Barry E. Rosenfeld, Late of the Township of Polk, County of Monroe, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Letters of Administration have been granted to the Administrator named below, who request that all persons having claims or demands against the Estate of the Decedent to make known the same, and all persons indebted to the Decedent to make payments without delay to: Linda J. Rosenfeld c/o Norris, McLaughlin, P.A.

Powerful wind gusts, fallen debris, and downed power lines have knocked out power for thousands of residents in Monroe County. First Energy estimates ...

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 00:00:00

ESTATE NOTICE Estate of ANNA M. STERLING, a/k/a ANNA MARIE STERLING, deceased, late of Polk Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, Letters Testamentary have been granted to the undersigned, who requests all persons having claims or demands against the Estate of the Decedent to make the same, and all persons indebted to the Decedent to make payments without delay to: Executor: Laurie A. Meckes c/o Joshua D. Shulman, Esquire SHULMAN LAW OFFICE PC 419 Delaware Avenue P.O. Box 157 Palmerton, PA 18071

File talk:Flag of Polk Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania.png. File · Talk. Language; Watch · Edit. Learn more about this page ...

Date: Sun, 03 Mar 2024 00:00:00

Date: Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00

All in all, life in Polk Township is an enjoyable one that continues to draw new families each year. Small town - In eastern Pennsylvania, 65 miles ...

POLK TWP., Pa. - In Monroe County,...

Polk Township Events

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