Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. Located along I-4 east of Tampa and southwest of Orlando, it is the most populous city in Polk County. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 112,641. Lakeland is a principal city of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area and is often included as part of the Tampa Bay area. Lakeland is situated among several lakes including Lake Morton downtown and 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 home to several colleges and universities. La…

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Lakeland ranks

All →

#25Rent easiest to afford in FL #111Shortest commute in FL #152Most affordable in FL All FL rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code33801, 33802, 33803

Area code863

Living in Lakeland

Housing in Lakeland

$310K▼ 1.3% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Lakeland home is worth about $310,000, down 1.3% in a year, 17% below the Florida typical home.

A seller's market

Buyer’sBalancedSeller’s

Days on market51

Sale-to-list98.5%

Sold in May122

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Lakeland

—

Not graded

A grade needs all of the FBI's latest years (2023–2025). Lakeland's police department reported only 2025, so we don't grade it yet. The figures below are still real.

Violent crime per 1,000

Lakeland 3.7

Florida 2.5

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Lakeland 15.3

Florida 10.8

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Lakeland

Full picture →

About one in 3 of Lakeland’s working residents works in town. The top destinations are Bartow (6%), Tampa (5%) and Plant City (3%). Half commute less than 14 miles.

Bartow

Tampa

Plant City

Orlando

32%Work in townlive and work in Lakeland 14 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 102,307Jobs based herea job hub

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Lakeland →

Health in Lakeland

Health Grade C

Healthier than 30% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with Florida

8worse than FL

of 26 measures CDC estimates. The other 18 are too close to call.

Conditions 5▼ 7 close Habits all close Care 1▼ 6 close Mind 2▼ 1 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

16.1%More older adults who have lost all their teethFL 12.7% · worse 38.9%More adults with obesityFL 31.9% · worse 8.4%More adults with COPDFL 7.2% · worse

Care nearby

Lakeland Regional Medical CenterLakeland · 0.4 mi · ER

Cfhc Lakeland Primary CareLakeland · 0.3 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Lakeland · CMS · HRSAHealth in Lakeland →

Natural hazards in Lakeland

High

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 63% of U.S. communities.

🌀 Hurricanes🌊 Inland flooding💨 Strong wind

85Does Lakeland flood?paid flood claims since 1979 13Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Lakeland MapLakeland vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Lakeland →

Climate in Lakeland

Full climate →

Lakeland has warm winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 92°, a January night drops to 49°, and snow is almost unheard of.

73° / 51°Winter

84° / 61°Spring

92° / 73°Summer

84° / 65°Fall

How much snow does Lakeland get?Almost none.Rain & snow →Does it ever freeze?In about 68% of years.Frost →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.6° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Lakeland →

Schools in Lakeland

All Lakeland schools →

School Grade D

The public schools Lakeland’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, trail 86% of Florida’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.

#210Best public schoolsof 488 in FL

DistrictPOLKSchools40

South McKeel Academy AElementary · Grades PK–6 · 1,200 students Rochelle School of the Arts B+Elementary · Grades PK–8 · 762 students Sleepy Hill Elementary School C+Elementary · Grades PK–5 · 711 students North Lakeland Elementary School of Choice CElementary · Grades PK–5 · 658 students Philip O'Brien Elementary School C-Elementary · Grades PK–5 · 625 students McKeel Academy Central AElementary · Grades PK–6 · 610 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within FL. Ratings are from neighbors.