County childcare costs · DOL NDCP 2022

Childcare costs in Polk County, OR

Reviewed byPlainchildcare Editorial, Childcare Costs Editorial Team · June 14, 2026

$12,333 a year for center-based infant care — 15.9% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.

All Oregon counties Rankings Methodology

Center-based infant care in Polk County, OR costs $12,333/year, while family childcare is $10,017/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 15.9% of the median household income — exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $11,264/year, and preschool-age care is $9,131/year. This page shows all available care types, age groups, affordability analysis, and year-over-year cost trends for Polk County, OR, OR.

Polk County vs. the nation

At $12,333 a year for center-based infant care, Polk County, OR is 29% above the national average of $9,592 — cheaper than 16% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 15.9% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.

Infant care (center)
$12,333/yr: Vs. national avg
+29%: National rank
#2,247 cheapest of 2,662: Share of income
15.9%

Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.

$12,333
Center Infant/yr: $10,017
Family Infant/yr: $77,353
Median Income: 15.9%
% of Income (Infant)

Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group

Age Group	Center-Based	Family Childcare	Difference
Infant	$12,333	$10,017	+$2,316
Toddler	$11,264	$9,505	+$1,759
Preschool	$9,131	$8,975	+$156
School Age	$4,014	$8,071	$-4,057

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $12,333

Toddler $11,264

Preschool $9,131

School Age $4,014

Where Polk County ranks on infant-care cost

Center-based infant care — every U.S. county with reported prices

$12,333 Among the most affordable more affordable than 16% of 2,662 US counties

Each bar is a $2.5K-wide band; taller bars hold more US counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Labor — National Database of Childcare Prices · 2022

What These Numbers Mean for Polk County Families

Center-based infant care in Polk County, OR averages $12,333/year, while family childcare homes charge $10,017/year for the same age group. The gap between the two settings — $2,316 annually for infants — reflects different licensing tracks in OR: centers operate under commercial child care licensing with staff-to-child ratios typically capped at 1:4 for infants and 1:10 for preschoolers, while family child care homes follow small-home rules allowing up to six children with one provider. Preschool-age coverage runs $9,131/year at centers versus $8,975/year in family settings, and school-age wrap-around care averages $4,014/year. These are annualized full-time rates from the NDCP market-rate survey — actual quoted prices swing with QRIS quality tier, accreditation (NAEYC, NAFCC), and whether the provider accepts CCDF subsidy vouchers.

Household affordability in Polk County tracks against a median income of $77,353, putting infant center care at 15.9% of gross income. The HHS benchmark is 7%, meaning the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 8.9 points. Between 15-20% of income, Polk County sits in a high-burden tier where most working families need subsidy help or split shifts to cover care. Providers in this cost band typically require two months of tuition as deposit plus non-refundable registration fees of $75-$250.

Finding a licensed provider in Polk County starts with the OR Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency — these nonprofits maintain searchable databases of licensed centers and family homes, note open slots, and handle CCDF subsidy intake. Ask any provider for their current inspection report (publicly available through the state licensing portal), their staff turnover rate, and whether they participate in the state's QRIS quality rating system. For families earning under $65,750, the CCDF subsidy caps parent copayments at a sliding-scale percentage of income. Head Start slots (free for families under 100% federal poverty line) and state-funded pre-K programs fill the preschool tier at zero out-of-pocket cost where available. This 2022 data provides the baseline — always verify current OR licensing status and tuition directly with the provider before enrollment.

Affordability Context

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers childcare affordable when it costs no more than 7% of a family's income.

Center infant cost: $12,333

Median household income: $77,353

Cost as % of income: 15.9%

7% affordability threshold: $5,415/year

Historical Price Trends (2008–2022)

Center-based infant care costs over 2008–2022 (15 years of NDCP data).

+78.7% since 2008

Infant center care: $6,900 → $12,333

$12,333/yr

Most recent annual cost (2022)

15 years

Data available (2008–2022)

2008

$6,900

2009

$7,440

2010

$7,980

2011

$8,040

2012

$8,100

2013

$7,650

2014

$7,200

2015

$7,500

2016

$7,800

2017

$8,070

2018

$8,340

2019

$9,270

2020

$10,200

2021

$11,267

2022

$12,333

View full data table (all care types) ▼

Year	Ctr Infant	Ctr Toddler	Ctr Preschool	Ctr School Age	Fam Infant	Fam Toddler
2008	$6,900	$6,900	$5,580	$3,204	$5,400	$5,100
2009	$7,440	$7,050	$5,790	$3,120	$5,400	$5,100
2010	$7,980	$7,200	$6,000	$3,036	$5,400	$5,100
2011	$8,040	$7,272	$6,072	$3,126	$5,400	$5,136
2012	$8,100	$7,344	$6,144	$3,216	$5,400	$5,172
2013	$7,650	$7,122	$6,522	$3,768	$5,686	$5,565
2014	$7,200	$6,900	$6,900	$4,320	$5,972	$5,958
2015	$7,500	$7,050	$7,050	$3,810	$6,287	$6,137
2016	$7,800	$7,200	$7,200	$3,300	$6,601	$6,315
2017	$8,070	$7,620	$7,620	$4,650	$6,644	$6,444
2018	$8,340	$8,040	$8,040	$6,000	$6,687	$6,572
2019	$9,270	$8,520	$7,800	$4,854	$6,944	$6,876
2020	$10,200	$9,000	$7,560	$3,708	$7,200	$7,181
2021	$11,267	$10,132	$8,345	$3,861	$8,609	$8,343
2022	$12,333	$11,264	$9,131	$4,014	$10,017	$9,505

What this means for Polk County families

Infant center care here takes 15.9% of the typical household income — above the HHS 7% affordability line.

At 15.9% of income, infant care exceeds the federal 7% affordability benchmark. Check whether your family qualifies for a CCDF subsidy, which can cap copayments at a sliding share of income. Check subsidy eligibility
Family childcare homes run $10,017/year for infants — about $2,316 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
See how Polk County compares against the cheapest counties in Oregon. Cheapest in Oregon

NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022 — confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does childcare cost in Polk County, OR? ▼

In Polk County, OR, center-based infant care costs $12,333/year. Family childcare for infants is $10,017/year. Preschool center-based care costs $9,131/year.

Is childcare affordable in Polk County, OR? ▼

Center-based infant care in Polk County, OR costs 15.9% of the median household income ($77,353). The HHS affordability threshold is 7%. Childcare here exceeds the affordability threshold by 8.9 percentage points.

Are childcare costs rising in Polk County, OR? ▼

From 2022 to 2008, center-based infant care in Polk County, OR changed from $12,333 to $6,900 (-44.1%).

What age groups does childcare cost data cover in Polk County, OR? ▼

Data covers four age groups: Infant (0-1), Toddler (1-2), Preschool (3-5), and School Age (6-12). Both center-based and family childcare costs are tracked separately for each age group.

What is the HHS childcare affordability standard? ▼

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines childcare as affordable when it costs no more than 7% of a family's household income. Counties where infant care exceeds 20% of median income are classified as "affordability deserts."

Where does the childcare cost data come from? ▼

All data comes from the National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP), maintained by the U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau. It provides county-level childcare price estimates based on market rate surveys.

What is the cheapest childcare option in Polk County, OR? ▼

Family-based childcare is typically less expensive in Polk County, OR. Preschool family care costs $8,975/year compared to $9,131/year for center-based care — a difference of $156/year. Family childcare operates in a provider's home and usually has smaller group sizes.

How much does before- and after-school care cost in Polk County, OR? ▼

School-age childcare (ages 6-12) in Polk County, OR costs $4,014/year for center-based care and $8,071/year for family childcare. These costs cover before-school, after-school, and summer programs while parents work.

Other Counties in Oregon

Baker County, OR

Infant: $10,260 · 19.9% of income

Benton County, OR

Infant: $17,690 · 24.3% of income

Clackamas County, OR

Infant: $18,618 · 19.4% of income

Clatsop County, OR

Infant: $12,068 · 17.7% of income

Columbia County, OR

Infant: $14,190 · 17.0% of income

Coos County, OR

Infant: $12,406 · 21.6% of income

Childcare Guides

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Subsidy & Assistance Programs

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Center vs Home Childcare

Compare daycare centers, family home care, and nannies

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Employer Childcare Benefits

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Explore childcare costs across Oregon

All Oregon counties

Every priced county in Oregon, with averages and the statewide affordability picture.

Cheapest childcare in Oregon

The most affordable counties in Oregon ranked by annual center-based cost.

Most expensive in Oregon

Where Oregon childcare costs the most, and how far above the state average it runs.

Affordability deserts in Oregon

Counties where childcare exceeds 20% of median household income.

National rankings

Compare Polk County against the cheapest and costliest counties nationwide.

Affordability calculator

See what childcare costs as a share of your own household income.

Data Sources & Methodology

Data as of 2023. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP).

Childcare cost data from the U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP). Costs are annual estimates based on weekly median prices at the county level.

Affordability is measured against the HHS benchmark of 7% of household income. Median household income data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey.

Browse all → | Rankings →

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.