Lakeland, Florida

Lakeland: The most populous city in Polk County, Florida. It is located on Lakeland Highlands in central Florida. Lakeland is known for its many parks and green spaces, its many historical sites, and its many attractions, such as the Lakeland Museum of Art and the Florida Southern College Lakeland Campus.

About

Lakeland is a city located in the county of Polk in the U.S. state of Florida. Its population at the 2010 census was 97,422 and a population density of 502 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 city had an estimated population of 115,283 inhabitants.

The city was created 149 years ago in 1874.

Lakeland is a city located in Polk County, Florida along Interstate 4 between Tampa and Orlando. With over 115,000 residents, it is the largest inland city between Orlando and Tampa.

History

Lakeland was first settled in the 1870s during the citrus boom era when rail lines connected central Florida. It was incorporated as a city in 1914.

Citrus and phosphate mining fueled the early economy alongside lumbering and cattle industries. Lakeland later became a popular tourist destination and cultural hub in central Florida.

Today it provides easy access to Tampa metro while retaining its small town charm.

Economy

Major employers are Publix Super Markets, Lakeland Regional Health, Southeastern University, Polk County Schools, and City of Lakeland.

Logistics, healthcare, education, and manufacturing are also strong sectors. Housing costs are lower than the Orlando and Tampa areas.

Attractions

Popular sites include charming downtown, Florida Southern College campus, Hollis Gardens, Circle B Bar Reserve, Lake Mirror Park, and Joker Marchant Stadium for spring training.

The Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo is a major annual event alongside theater, arts, and regular festivals that celebrate Lakeland's culture.

Conclusion

Offering natural beauty, lower costs of living, employment opportunities, and proximity to Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland provides an excellent lifestyle choice in Central Florida.

Lakeland locator map
Location of Lakeland on Florida map.

Quick Facts about Lakeland

Population : 115,283 (2020)
Country : United States of America
State : Florida (United States)
County : Polk County
Postal code : 33801–33815
Phone Area Codes : 863
Area : 194.06 km2
Altitude : 463 feet / 141 meters
Establishment : January 01, 1875 (149 years ago)
Time Zone : UTC−04:00, UTC−05:00
Local time : 08:57:37 (21st December 2024)
Density : 594 Pop. per km² as of 2020
Population growth : 15.49% (2010-2020)
Downtownlakeland fl image
Downtownlakeland fl
Downtownlakeland fl image

Geography

Lakeland is located at 28°2'22"N 81°56'59"W (28.0394700, -81.9498000).

Lakeland map

Demographics

The population of Lakeland increased by 15.49% in 10 years.

Year Population % Change Method
2010 97,422 - census
2011 98,834 1.43% estimation process
2012 99,000 0.17% estimation process
2013 100,326 1.32% estimation process
2014 102,034 1.67% estimation process
2015 103,550 1.46% estimation process
2016 105,837 2.16% estimation process
2017 107,712 1.74% estimation process
2018 110,421 2.45% estimation process
2019 112,136 1.53% estimation process
2020 115,283 2.73% estimation process

Lakeland zip code is 33801. County name: Polk, County fips: 12105

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Best Things to Do in Lakeland

1 Common Ground Playground

Rating: 4.8 (2163)

Veterans Park, 1000 E Edgewood Dr, Lakeland, FL 33803, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18638342280 🔗 Url

Common Ground Playground

2 RP FUNDING CENTER

Rating: 4.3 (2055)

701 W Lime St, Lakeland, FL 33815, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18638348100 🔗 Url

RP FUNDING CENTER

3 Munn Park

Rating: 4.5 (1768)

210 E Main St, Lakeland, FL 33801, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18638342233 🔗 Url

Munn Park

4 Hollis Garden

Rating: 4.8 (1752)

702 E Orange St, Lakeland, FL 33801, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18638342280 🔗 Url

Hollis Garden

5 Family Fun Center

Rating: 4.5 (1587)

4825 Florida Ave S, Lakeland, FL 33813, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18636441728 🔗 Url

Family Fun Center

Where ot Eat in Lakeland

1 Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Rating: 4.3 (4865)

4343 Lakeland Park Dr, Lakeland, FL 33809, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18638535405 🔗 Url

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

2 Steak 'n Shake

Rating: 3.9 (4178)

3509 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland, FL 33809, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18638589797 🔗 Url

Steak 'n Shake

3 Texas Roadhouse

Rating: 4.4 (3732)

3621 Florida Ave S, Lakeland, FL 33803, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18636037427 🔗 Url

Texas Roadhouse

4 Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant

Rating: 4.5 (3265)

3700 Lakeside Village Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33803, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18636867500 🔗 Url

Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant

5 Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

Rating: 4.2 (3108)

3411 Florida Ave S, Lakeland, FL 33803, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18636472170 🔗 Url

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

Where to Stay in Lakeland

1 Hyatt Place Lakeland Center

Rating: 4.1 (845)

525 W Orange St, Lakeland, FL 33815, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18634131122 🔗 Url

Hyatt Place Lakeland Center

2 Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lakeland

Rating: 4 (583)

4502 N Socrum Loop Rd, Lakeland, FL 33809, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18637974606 🔗 Url

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lakeland

3 Courtyard by Marriott Lakeland

Rating: 4.4 (290)

3725 Harden Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33803, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18638029000 🔗 Url

Courtyard by Marriott Lakeland

4 Lakeland RV Resort

Rating: 4.1 (223)

900 Old Combee Rd, Lakeland, FL 33805, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18636876146 🔗 Url

Lakeland RV Resort

Other Places in Lakeland

1 City of Lakeland

Rating: 3.5 (21)

228 S Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801 ➦ Show Map

☎ +18638346000 🔗 Url

City of Lakeland

2 Code Enforcement Office

Rating: 1 (9)

1104 Martin L King Jr Ave, Lakeland, FL 33805 ➦ Show Map

☎ +18638346251 🔗 Url

Code Enforcement Office

3 Florida Forest Service

Rating: 5 (5)

5745 Florida Ave S, Lakeland, FL 33813, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18639406701 🔗 Url

4 Lakeland City Commission at City Hall

Rating: 1 (3)

228 S Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801 ➦ Show Map

☎ +18638346210 🔗 Url

Lakeland City Commission at City Hall

5 Lakeland Sister Cities

228 S Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801 ➦ Show Map

☎ +18638346005 🔗 Url

People born in Lakeland (124)

People born in Lakeland, including recording artist; singer Faith Evans, model Kara Monaco, politician and judge Charles T. Canady, .

List

  • Rhea Durham (American model) she was born in 01/07/1978
  • Frances Langford (Singer, actress (1913-2005)) she was born in 04/04/1913
  • Andrew Reynolds (American skateboarder) he was born in 06/06/1978
  • April Grace (American actress) she was born in 12/05/1962
  • Chris Richard (American basketball player, NCAA Tournament champion) he was born in 25/12/1984
  • Scott Kelby (American writer) he was born in 07/07/1960
  • Lawton Chiles (Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging (1930-1998)) he was born in 03/04/1930
  • Joe Nemechek (American racing driver) he was born in 26/09/1963
  • Alton R. Waldon (American politician) he was born in 21/12/1936
  • Dennis A. Ross (US Congressman from Florida) he was born in 18/10/1959
  • J. D. Sumner (American singer) he was born in 19/11/1924
  • Marrese Crump (American actor) he was born in 04/01/1982
  • Martha Munizzi (American actress and singer) she was born in 26/02/1968
  • John Wood (Representative in the House of Representatives of the U.S. state of Florida) he was born in 07/12/1952
  • Chris Sale (American baseball pitcher) he was born in 30/03/1989
  • DeRon Hayes (French basketball player, played collegiately for Penn State Nittany Lions) he was born in 13/04/1970
  • Drew Hutchison (American professional baseball player) he was born in 22/08/1990
  • Lauren Miller (actress) she was born in 24/07/1982

Schools in Lakeland

College & universities near Lakeland, FL

Code Name City ZIP
134079 Florida Southern College Lakeland (FL) 33801-5698
460701 Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Lakeland Lakeland (FL) 33801
137564 Southeastern University Lakeland (FL) 33801-6034
135522 Traviss Technical College Lakeland (FL) 33803
491145 Empire Beauty School-Lakeland Lakeland (FL) 33809-0514

Stations (16)

Amtrak & bus stations near Lakeland, FL

Code Name Address Type
LAK Lakeland 600 East Main Street RAIL
LKL Lakeland 600 East Main Street RAIL
WTH Winter Haven 1800 7th St SW RAIL
DDE Dade City, Florida 14218 US Highway 98 OTHER
TPA Union Station 601 North Nebraska Ave RAIL

Post offices near Lakeland

Post Office Name City ZIP
Dixieland Post Office Lakeland (FL) 33803
Downtown Lakeland Post Office Lakeland (FL) 33815
Lakeland Post Office Lakeland (FL) 33805
Eaton Park Post Office Eaton Park (FL) 33840
Southside Postal Stor Post Office Lakeland (FL) 33813

Other places with the same name (4)

Other cities in Polk County

Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Polk County , FL. (more)

City Name Population Title
Winter Haven 46,578 The most populous city in Polk County, Florida.
Haines City 26,009 City in Polk County, Florida, United States of America
Bartow 20,201 County seat of Polk County, Florida
Lake Wales 17,693 City in Polk County, Florida, United States
Auburndale 17,204 City in Polk County, Florida, United States
Citrus Ridge 13,285 Census designated place in Florida
Lakeland Highlands 11,056 Census-designated place in Polk County, Florida
Highland City 10,834 Census-designated place in Polk County, Florida
Cypress Gardens 8,917 Census-designated place in Polk County, Florida
Medulla 8,892 Census-designated place in Polk County, Florida
Davenport 7,301 City in Florida
Willow Oak 6,732 Census-designated place in Polk County, Florida
Kathleen 6,332 Census designated place
Lake Alfred 6,331 City in Polk County, Florida, United States of America
Fort Meade 6,260 City in Polk County, Florida, United States
Combee Settlement 5,577 Census-designated place in Polk County, Florida

Distance to Other Cities

Lakeland distances to largest Florida cities