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Lakeland, FL

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Lakeland, FL

Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. Located along Interstate 4 east of Tampa and west of Orlando, it is the most populous city in Polk County. As of the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau release, the city had a population of 112,641. Lakeland is a principal city of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town is sometimes locally referred to by the nickname "Swan City" due to its sizeable population of swans, all of whom are descendants of two mute swans given to Lakeland by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957.

Lakeland is the corporate headquarters of Publix, a supermarket chain. European-American settlers arrived in Lakeland from Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina in the 1870s. The city expanded in the 1880s with the arrival of rail service, with the first freedmen railway workers settling here in 1883. They and European immigrants also came because of land development opportunities with farming, citrus, cattle, and phosphate industries developing. Lakeland is home to the 1,267-acre Circle B Bar Reserve (513 ha).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 67 sq mi (173.5 km²), of which 45.84 sq mi (118.7 km²) is land and 5.61 sq mi (14.5 km²) (10.90%) is covered by water. Lakeland is within the Central Florida Highlands area of the Atlantic coastal plain, with a terrain consisting of flatland interspersed with gently rolling hills.

The dominant feature in Lakeland is the city's many lakes. Thirty-eight lakes are named, with several other bodies of water unnamed, mostly phosphate mine pits that eventually filled with water. The largest of these is Lake Parker, which is 2,550 acres (10.3 km²) in size. Much of the culture of Lakeland revolves around its many lakes, and many people use the lakes as reference points in much the same way people in other towns use streets as reference points, such as "I live near Lake Beulah." In addition to Lake Parker, some of the more prominent lakes in the Lakeland area are Lake Hollingsworth, Lake Morton, Lake Mirror, and Lake Gibson.

Swans are one of the most visible features on the lakes near downtown Lakeland. They have a long history, with the first swans appearing around 1923. By 1954, the swans were gone, eradicated by alligators and pets. A Lakeland resident who mourned the passing of the swans wrote to Queen Elizabeth II. The royal family allowed the capture of two of the royal swans, and the swans now on the lakes of Lakeland are the descendants of the one surviving royal swan sent by the Queen. In July 2006, Scott Lake, one of the city's lakes, was almost totally drained by a cluster of sinkholes. Later the lake was partially refilled.

Health and wellness are paramount in Lakeland, with a robust healthcare system catering to residents' needs. Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center is a cornerstone of the community, providing comprehensive medical services. Orangetheory Fitness offers high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts that combine cardio and strength training for a full-body workout. YMCA provides fitness facilities, group classes, swimming pools, and community programs for people of all ages and fitness levels. Equinox offers premium fitness facilities, personalized training, group fitness classes, spa services, and wellness amenities. Crunch Fitness offers a diverse range of workouts including group fitness classes, personal training, and specialized programs like HIIT and yoga. Select Physical Therapy offers comprehensive physical therapy services, including orthopedic rehabilitation, sports medicine, manual therapy, and specialized programs for various conditions.

Top sites in Lakeland, FL are Bonnet Springs Park, Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre, Lakeland Antique Mall, and Polk Museum Of Art. 

Population: 122,264 (2023). ZIP code: 33801. Area code: 863. Elevation: 203 ft (62 m). Area: 75.30 sq mi (195.02 km²).

FAQs

Is Lakeland, FL a good place to live?

Lakeland is undoubtedly one of the best places to live in Florida for young professionals, families, and retirees. There is no place like it, with many things to do, excellent schools, and an affordable cost of living. Lakeland has the most extensive one-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, Circle B Bar Reserve, Detroit Tigers Spring Training, and Safari Wilderness. Lakeland is affordable and has many job opportunities to help you live the lifestyle you would like to live while enjoying the warm atmosphere and lake life. It has a variety of schools to choose from and even a couple of grand, unique colleges.

Why is Lakeland, FL famous?

Lakeland is the largest city in Polk County. It is the home to the largest one-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world at Florida Southern College, Circle B Bar Reserve, Detroit Tigers Spring Training, and Safari Wilderness. While you’re in town, be sure to feed the swans at Lake Morton and tour some of Lakeland’s most notable structures, including The Terrace Hotel, Polk Theatre, and Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College.

What is crime like in Lakeland, FL?

The crime rate in Lakeland is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 23 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Lakeland is 1 in 43. Based on FBI crime data, Lakeland is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Florida, Lakeland has a crime rate that is higher than 78% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

City of Lakeland

Wikipedia

Uphomes

Visit Central Florida

Neighborhood Scout

Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center

Orangetheory Fitness

YMCA

Equinox

Crunch Fitness

Select Physical Therapy

Bonnet Springs Park 

Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre 

Lakeland Antique Mall 

Polk Museum Of Art

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.