Developed as part of an assessment of the need for a new Polk County Isothermal Community College campus, this report provides the results of a study conducted to determine the nature and extent of the need for postsecondary education in Polk County and to recommend cost-effective, quality-conscious strategies to meet identified needs. Chapter A presents an overview of the regional setting, providing information on neighboring population centers, the Polk County government, and neighboring postsecondary educational institutions. Chapter B looks at the demographic characteristics of the county, considering population distribution, projected changes in population, the educational level of the population, income data, and the implications of this information. In chapter C, economic and employment information is presented in terms of land use and employment characteristics, spending patterns, employer training needs, unemployment rates, and economic development efforts. Chapters D and E examine findings from surveys of high school seniors and their parents, and of recent high school graduates. After chapter F presents a profile of the programs and enrollments at Polk Campus, chapter G offers results of a household survey of educational interests and attitudes. A physical plant analysis is provided in chapter H, followed by an overview of the governance, programs, and funding of North Carolina community colleges in chapter I. Chapters J and K summarize findings and present conclusions and recommendations. The survey instruments are appended. (LAL)