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
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,…
WMNF 88.5
Published July 23The Scoop: Thurs. July 23, 2026, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF
City leaders are weighing a temporary pause on new large-scale development projects to review potential effects on community planning.
WMNF 88.5
Published July 22Lakeland considers data center moratorium
Learn about the implications of the Lakeland data center moratorium and how it impacts electric systems and water supply.