Lakeland, Florida

Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. It is located along I-4 east of Tampa and southwest of Orlando, making it an important place in the area. As of the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau release, Lakeland had a population of 112,641, making it the most populous city in Polk County.

The city is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area and is known for its many lakes, including Lake Morton right in the downtown area. One special nickname for Lakeland is "Swan City" because of the many swans there. All of these swans come from two mute swans that were given to the city by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957.

Lakeland is also a place for learning, with several colleges and universities. The city has its own airport, the Lakeland Linder International Airport, and is home to the corporate headquarters of Publix, a well-known supermarket chain.

The history of Lakeland began when European-American settlers arrived in the 1870s from states like Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. The city grew quickly in the 1880s after rail service arrived. In 1883, the first freedmen railway workers settled there, attracted by chances to work in farming, growing citrus, raising cattle, and the developing phosphate industry. Today, the city still has natural areas like the 1,267-acre Circle B Bar Reserve.

History

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Lakeland, Florida.

Early history

In the 1700s, groups of Native Americans called Seminoles moved into the area. In 1823, the United States and Florida tribes signed a treaty that created a reservation in central Florida, including what is now Polk County. In the 1830s, the United States tried to move the Seminoles west, leading to a long conflict called the Second Seminole War.

Statehood and the 19th century

Florida became a state in 1845, and Polk County was created in 1861. Lakeland began to grow in the 1870s as railroads reached the area. It became an official town on January 1, 1885. The town was named for the many nearby lakes.

The Florida Boom and the 20th century

A time of rapid growth in Florida led to many important buildings being built in Lakeland. The city also became a place where baseball teams trained. Later, a famous architect designed buildings for a local college, creating a special collection of his work.

World War II

At the start of World War II, a school for learning to fly in Lakeland became part of the United States' war effort. Thousands of students learned to fly there during the war years.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city covers an area of 67 square miles, with 45.84 square miles of land and 5.61 square miles of water. Lakeland is part of the Central Florida Highlands area of the Atlantic coastal plain, featuring flat land with gentle hills.

Lakeland is well known for its many lakes. The largest is Lake Parker, which spans 2,550 acres. Other important lakes include Lake Hollingsworth, Lake Morton, Lake Mirror, and Lake Gibson. Many people in Lakeland use these lakes as reference points, such as saying, "I live near Lake Beulah."

Swans are a familiar sight on the lakes near downtown Lakeland. They were first introduced around 1923 but disappeared by 1954 due to alligators and pets. A resident wrote to Queen Elizabeth II, and the royal family sent two royal swans, whose descendants now live on the lakes.

Lakeland has a humid subtropical climate. Summers are usually hot and humid, with temperatures often above 90 °F during the day. Winters are milder and drier, with daytime highs in the mid-70s °F and nighttime lows in the 50s °F. Cold snaps can bring temperatures below freezing a couple of times each year.

Demographics

2010 and 2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 112,641 people living in the city. In 2010 United States census, there were 97,422 people.

Between 2008 and 2012, the average income for each person was $23,817 and the average income for a household was $40,284. About 17.5% of people lived below the poverty line during that time.

2000 census

In 2000, about 23.5% of families had children under age 18 living with them. About 43.5% were married couples living together, and 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present. About 39% of households were made up of individuals.

In 2000, the city's population was spread out, with 21.4% under age 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 23.0% who were 65 years or older. The median age was 40 years.

In 2000, the average income for a household was $16,119, and for a family was $17,468. About 47% of families and 35% of the population lived below the poverty line, including many under age 18.

Languages

As of 2000, 91% of residents spoke only English at home. Spanish was the most common other language, spoken by 6.4% of the population. German was third at 0.8%, and French was fourth at 0.5%.

Religion

In 1913, the Wolfson family came from Lithuania and were the first Jewish settlers in the area. The first synagogue, Temple Emanuel, opened in 1932. The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute offers classes and seminars in Lakeland.

Lakeland is home to the Swaminarayan Hindu Temple, which opened in 2005.

In 1994, the first and only mosque in the county was built. It was called Masjid Aisha, but is now called the Islamic Center of Lakeland.

Christianity is the largest religious group in Lakeland. As of 2013, about 300 churches were located in the city.

Economy

Lakeland is the largest city on Interstate 4 between Orlando and Tampa. Important industries in the area include citrus farming, cattle, and phosphate mining. Over the past few decades, tourism, medicine, insurance, transportation, and music have also become more important.

Citrus growing started with early settlers in the 1850s. After cold weather damaged crops north of Polk County, the area became a key place for citrus in Florida. Even though citrus is not the biggest industry now, it still helps the economy of Lakeland and Polk County.

Phosphate mining remains important, though most mining happens farther south. The Bone Valley provided 25% of the U.S. phosphate supply.

The biggest employer in Lakeland is Publix Super Markets, one of the largest grocery chains in the American South with over 1,200 stores. Publix employs more than 6,500 people in the Lakeland area, including at headquarters, Information Technology, and warehouses.

Lakeland is also a transportation center. Companies like FedEx Freight and FedEx Services and Saddle Creek Corporation employ over 600 people in the area. Other major employers include Amazon, GEICO, Rooms To Go, and Lakeland Regional Health.

Culture

The Lakeland History Room is a special collection inside the Lakeland Public Library. It was started in 1987 and keeps many old things about Lakeland, like documents, photos, maps, and more. It also has over 7,000 digital images showing important moments and places in Lakeland’s history.

In 2019, leaders in Lakeland decided to build a new History and Culture Center. This project was approved and began with help from local people and donations. The center opened in September 2022 and is located in the Lakeland Public Library, which also houses the Lakeland History Room.

Historic districts

• Beacon Hill-Alta Vista Residential District
• Biltmore-Cumberland Historic District
• Dixieland Historic District
• East Lake Morton Residential District
• Lake Hunter Terrace Historic District
• Munn Park Historic District
• South Lake Morton Historic District

Buildings and locations

• Central Avenue School
• Cleveland Court School
• Florida Southern College
• John F. Cox Grammar School
• Lakeland Center
• Lakeland Square Mall
• Lakeside Village
• Old Lakeland High School
• James Henry Mills Medal of Honor Parkway
• Oates Building
• Polk State College
• Polk Museum of Art
• Polk Theatre
• Southeastern University (Florida)
• USA International Speedway
• Florida Polytechnic University
• Winston School
• Without Walls Central Church – a local/regional megachurch
• Silvermoon Drive-in
• Bonnet Springs

Libraries

• Lakeland Public Library
• Larry R. Jackson Branch Library
• eLibrary South Lakeland

Sports

Stadiums

Main article: Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium

Joker Marchant Stadium, north of downtown, is where the Detroit Tigers practice in the spring. It is also where the Lakeland Flying Tigers and GCL Tigers teams play their games.

Main article: RP Funding Center

The RP Funding Center is home to two indoor sports teams. The Lakeland Magic is a basketball team connected to the Orlando Magic. The Florida Tropics SC is an indoor soccer team. The Tropics also have an outdoor team called the Lakeland Tropics. The Florida Tarpons used to be an indoor football team that played here for one season after moving from Estero, Florida.

History of sports teams

In 1919, the Lakeland Highlanders joined the Florida State League as one of its first teams. They played there until 1926. Later, from 1946 to 1955, the Lakeland Pilots played in the same league. Both teams played at Henley Field.

In the 1980s, the Lakeland Center hosted the indoor version of the Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer team. The center has also been home to several hockey teams and even a roller derby league called the Lakeland Derby Dames, which stopped in 2015.

The Lakeland Center also holds the state basketball finals for high schools.

Government and politics

Lakeland is run by a city council with six members. Four are chosen from specific areas of the city, and two are chosen by everyone in the city. The mayor is also elected by voters.

The City of Lakeland began in 1885. The mayor is part of the City Commission and mainly helps organize meetings. Before 1988, the mayor was chosen from the Commission members. Now, voters elect the mayor.

Lakeland has had many mayors, including its first woman mayor and its first African-American mayor.

Mayors of Lakeland

Further information: List of mayors of Lakeland, Florida

Law enforcement

In 2021, the Lakeland Police Department hired several officers who previously worked for another police department. Some of these officers did not share important information about their past work.

Education

Lakeland has many schools run by the Polk County School Board. There are 28 elementary schools, seven middle schools, and five traditional high schools, plus three special magnet-choice high schools.

The traditional public high schools include George W. Jenkins High School, Kathleen High School, Lake Gibson High School, Lakeland Senior High School, and Tenoroc High School.

Magnet high schools feature options like Central Florida Aerospace Academy, Lois Cowles Harrison Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, and Polk State College Lakeland Collegiate High School.

There are also several middle schools, both traditional and magnet, and a variety of charter and private schools for families to choose from.

Lakeland offers many opportunities for higher education. Universities and colleges in the area include Florida Polytechnic University, Florida Southern College, Florida Technical College, Keiser University, Webster University, Polk State College, Southeastern University, and Whitefield Theological Seminary.

Media

See also: List of newspapers in Florida, List of radio stations in Florida, and List of television stations in Florida

Polk County is part of the Tampa Bay television area. Charter Spectrum provides cable TV in Lakeland and shows most stations from Tampa Bay, plus WFTV, the ABC station from Orlando. WMOR-TV, an independent TV station, is licensed to Lakeland but has its studios in Tampa and its transmitter in Riverview.

Lakeland and Polk County have their own radio market. Local radio stations include:

• WLKF 1430 AM
• WONN 1230 AM
• WWAB 1330 AM
• WPCV 97.5 FM
• WWRZ 98.3 FM

WLLD 94.1 FM is licensed to Lakeland but focuses more on the Tampa Bay area, with studios in St. Petersburg. WKES 91.1 FM is also licensed to Lakeland and is part of the statewide Moody Radio Florida network, with studios in Seminole, near St. Petersburg. You can also listen to many major stations from Tampa Bay and some from Orlando.

Print media includes The Ledger, a local newspaper owned by USA Today Co.. Patterson Jacobs Media Group publishes a magazine called The Lakelander.

LkldNow is a nonprofit digital news group that reports on Lakeland news.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Lakeland is the largest city on I-4 between Tampa and Orlando, making it a key spot for travel. Important roads and highways in Lakeland include:

• I-4, the main interstate connecting Tampa, Lakeland, Orlando, and Daytona Beach.
• SR 570 (Polk Parkway), a tolled beltway around Lakeland that connects different parts of the city to I-4.
• US 92, which leads to Tampa and Orlando and is still a main road to Plant City, Auburndale, Winter Haven, and Haines City.
• US 98, which goes south to Bartow, the county seat, and north to Dade City.
• SR 33, which provides access to Lake County and the Florida’s Turnpike.
• SR 37, the main north–south route in Lakeland, leading south to Mulberry.
• SR 540, Winter-Lake Road, which leads to Winter Haven and Legoland Florida.

Lakeland has several bicycle routes, such as the Lake-To-Lakes Trail, which runs from Lake Parker through downtown to Lake John. Other routes include University Trail and the Fort Fraser Trail.

Public transportation options in Lakeland include the Lakeland Amtrak Station, Lakeland Linder International Airport, the Lakeland Greyhound Terminal, and the local bus service Citrus Connection.

Utilities

Water and wastewater in Lakeland are managed by Lakeland Water Utilities. The water mainly comes from wells that draw from the Floridan aquifer. Power is provided by Lakeland Electric, a nonprofit public power utility. Lakeland was one of the first cities in Florida to have electric lighting, and Lakeland Electric has been locally owned since 1904.

Lakeland Electric operates two power plants: C.D. McIntosh Power Plant and Larsen Memorial. The last coal unit at C.D. McIntosh Power Plant was phased out in January 2024.

Notable people

See also: List of people from Lakeland, Florida

Entertainment

Lakeland has been home to many talented people in entertainment. Some famous names include Nat Adderley, a jazz musician, and Lindsey Alley, a former Mouseketeer. Others include Bobby Braddock, a country music producer, and Faith Evans, a well-known singer. The city has also seen actors, musicians, and even some models grow up or live here.

Sports

Many athletes have come from Lakeland. George Almones and Dwayne Bacon both played in the NBA. Ahmad Black and Ray Lewis were star players in the NFL. The city has also produced golfers, baseball players, and even a skateboarder who have made their mark in professional sports around the world.

Other

Besides entertainment and sports, Lakeland has been home to important leaders and innovators. Charles T. Canady served as a chief justice, and Lawton Chiles was a senator and governor. George W. Jenkins founded the Publix Super Markets, and Floretta Dukes McKenzie made big changes in education. These individuals have helped shape the city's history and its place in the world.

Sister cities

See also: List of sister cities in the United States

Lakeland has special friendships with cities in other countries. This started in 1990 with a friendship with Richmond Hill in Canada. Since then, Lakeland has made friends with many more places around the world.

• Bălți, Moldova (since 1997)
• Chongming County, Shanghai, China (since 2007)
• Imabari, Ehime, Japan (since 1995)
• Portmore, Jamaica (since 2009)
• Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada (since 1990)

Lakeland also has friendly ties with:

• Rîbnița, Moldova
• Jiaxing, China

In popular culture

Lakeland appeared in some famous movies and music videos. In 1990, the Southgate Shopping Center was shown in the film Edward Scissorhands. Classrooms from Florida Southern College were used in the comedy The Waterboy starring Adam Sandler. The Lakeland Civic Center was the location for a music video for the song Little Red Corvette by Prince. In 2020, the Southgate Shopping Center was used to look like a mall in the movie The One and Only Ivan, with additional scenes filmed at the Silver Moon Drive-In and Dobbins Park.