Polk County
- Population
- 790,694
- Median age
- 39.5
- Households
- 289,425
- Persons per household
- 2.7
- Median household income
- $65,978
- Median house value
- $266,500
Demographics: 2020–2024 ACS
Polk County, smack dab in the center of Florida, is a place where nature, history, and urban development meet. The county seat, Bartow, is steeped in history, with museums and buildings showcasing Polk County's past. Lakeland, the largest city, offers a vibrant cultural scene with art, parks, and even a yearly swan festival! Polk County's got natural beauty in spades, too. Hike or bike through rolling hills and citrus groves, or explore the shores of Lake Okeechobee. If you're more of a water enthusiast, you can go fishing or boating in this scenic region.
Cities & Towns in Polk County
Local News
WMNF 88.5
Published August 17Appeals court approves the use of radioactive waste in a road paving test in Polk County.
The Center for Biological Diversity sued the Environmental Protection Agency over its approval of phosphogypsum as a road paving material.
That's So Tampa
Published August 07The huge, 2nd annual Cajun Creole Fest is coming to Lakeland this August
Saturday Shoppes has long been one of the best festival hosts in Tampa Bay, and their next celebration is bringing something wildly flavorful to the area. The 2nd annual Cajun […]
Osprey Observer
Published August 03Florida Poly Athletics Scores Auburndale Partnership
Florida Polytechnic University and the City of Auburndale are partnering to provide home venues for the university’s newly launched athletics program. Florida Poly will now host practices, home games and special events for several sports at Lake Myrtle Sports Complex, Auburndale…
WMNF 88.5
Published August 03More people are now eligible for Polk County’s health care plan
Income eligibility has gone up from 200% to 300% of the federal poverty level, potentially opening the door for nearly 19,000 more people.
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
Published July 30For the first time in over a century, Central Florida’s historic Bannon Island is for sale
Bannon Island, a storied pioneer island in the middle of Polk County’s Lake Marion, is now on the market for the first time in over a hundred years. Located at 7950 Bannon Fish Camp Rd. in southeast Haines City, the 20-acre island’s first known resident was Echo Emathla Chipco,…