County · Florida

Polk County, Florida

Polk County, Florida. Polk County had 874,790 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 20.7% since 2020, faster than Florida (+8.9%). It holds 41 places (17 cities, villages and boroughs and 24 census-designated) and 174 census tracts. GEOID 12105.

Polk County is the county of the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).

Residents, July 2025 estimate

874,790

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 725,046 · ACS 2020-2024: 790,694

Median household income

$65,978

±$1,143 (90% margin)
Florida: $74,568

Median home value

$266,500

±$3,458 (90% margin)
Florida: $359,000

Median gross rent

$1,363

±$28 (90% margin)
Florida: $1,669

How many people live in Polk County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 725,046 residents in Polk County. The Census Bureau estimates 874,790 for July 1, 2025, up 20.7% since 2020, faster than Florida (+8.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 790,694 over 1,798 square miles of land.

July 2020→2021 +25,655 (755,803)
2021→2022 +34,993 (790,796)
2022→2023 +33,998 (824,794)
2023→2024 +26,640 (851,434)
2024→2025 +23,356 (874,790)

Polk County in Florida. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
Measure	Polk County	Florida	Change since 2015-2019
Total population	790,694	22,416,077	+104,476
Households	289,425±1,606	8,752,810	+54,142
Average household size	2.68±0.01	2.51	−0.18
Housing units	340,748±196	10,256,470	+45,292

Polk County's population since 2000

From 483,924 in 2000 to 874,790 in 2025: up 80.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.

2000 Census 483,924
2005 (estimate) 547,373
2010 Census 602,095
2015 (estimate) 648,823
2020 Census 725,046
2025 (estimate) 874,790

Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov

What cities and towns are in Polk County?

Polk County holds 41 places: 17 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 24 census-designated places. The largest is Lakeland with 125,520 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in Polk County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.

Lakeland	city	112,641	119,961±72	$64,185	$249,400	13.2%	100%
Winter Haven	city	49,219	55,200±54	$59,648	$269,800	16.4%	100%
Poinciana	CDP	69,309	75,068±4,439	$68,015	$290,700	14.9%	50%
Haines City	city	26,669	34,234±48	$65,975	$288,900	16.1%	100%
Bartow	city	19,309	20,438±36	$68,178	$234,100	18.1%	100%
Lake Wales	city	16,361	16,785±37	$56,347	$239,300	22.4%	100%
Auburndale	city	15,616	18,530±85	$77,911	$296,200	9.6%	100%
Four Corners	CDP	56,381	65,048±3,541	$72,879	$351,800	10.5%	24%
Highland City	CDP	12,355	13,276±1,590	$90,947	$347,100	5.9%	100%
Lakeland Highlands	CDP	12,187	12,102±817	$108,263	$385,000	2.7%	100%
Medulla	CDP	10,871	10,985±1,301	$70,802	$319,800	8.7%	100%
Fuller Heights	CDP	10,467	10,083±1,396	$82,006	$278,000	7.7%	100%
Cypress Gardens	CDP	10,169	10,077±1,303	$75,483	$287,100	11.1%	100%
Davenport	city	9,043	13,238±29	$73,685	$333,300	14.0%	100%
Inwood	CDP	7,031	7,556±1,184	$55,540	$142,300	20.3%	100%
Willow Oak	CDP	6,806	7,454±1,226	$65,688	$276,300	24.7%	100%
Kathleen	CDP	6,486	7,201±1,300	$57,097	$203,500	31.8%	100%
Lake Alfred	city	6,374	7,277±28	$67,202	$239,900	9.4%	100%
Jan Phyl Village	CDP	5,927	5,708±820	$53,571	$258,600	27.0%	100%
Combee Settlement	CDP	5,911	5,242±848	$40,384	$195,900	27.3%	100%
Crystal Lake	CDP	5,768	5,451±1,013	$49,424	$205,600	26.3%	100%
Fussels Corner	CDP	5,560	5,682±976	$56,091	$92,100	16.8%	100%
Loughman	CDP	5,417	7,591±1,739	$66,273	$336,000	10.3%	100%
Dundee	town	5,235	5,863±33	$48,668	$247,800	26.0%	100%
Fort Meade	city	5,100	5,225±26	$36,657	$175,900	21.9%	100%
Wahneta	CDP	4,409	3,876±1,141	$46,598	$97,500	24.2%	100%
Alturas	CDP	4,084	4,581±862	$70,231	$165,800	15.5%	100%
Mulberry	city	3,952	4,188±16	$57,708	$133,800	19.8%	100%
Eagle Lake	city	3,008	3,893±40	$70,523	$256,300	9.5%	100%
Frostproof	city	2,877	3,346±20	$42,000	$150,500	26.8%	100%
Polk City	town	2,713	2,974±23	$79,762	$293,900	12.2%	100%
Grenelefe	CDP	2,495	2,797±1,249	$59,939	$325,000	15.8%	100%
Crooked Lake Park	CDP	1,893	2,641±471	$60,395	$198,000	34.4%	100%
Lake Hamilton	town	1,537	1,777±411	$60,486	$250,700	26.9%	100%
Babson ParkGEOID 1202900	CDP	1,330	1,093±256	$48,177	$211,100	14.4%	100%
Indian Lake EstatesGEOID 1233500	CDP	926	984±418	$69,007	$233,100	5.7%	100%
WaverlyGEOID 1275475	CDP	661	187±173	not published	not published	15.0%	100%
Bradley JunctionGEOID 1208125	CDP	542	631±220	$46,875	$184,900	35.9%	100%
HomelandGEOID 1232250	CDP	305	363±200	$70,741	$158,300	1.1%	100%
Highland ParkGEOID 1230325	village	251	282±142	$93,750	$374,100	1.8%	100%
Hillcrest HeightsGEOID 1230700	town	243	377±177	$118,125	$270,000	0.0%	100%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov

Who lives in Polk County?

The median resident of Polk County is 39.5 years old; 22.0% are under 18 and 19.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 50.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 29.2%. 12.6% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure	Polk County	Florida	Change since 2015-2019
Median age	39.5±0.2	42.6	−0.7
Under 18 years	22.0%±0.1 pts	19.5%	–
65 years and over	19.5%±0.1 pts	21.3%	–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	29.2%	27.4%	+6.7 pts
White alone, not Hispanic	50.8%±0.2 pts	50.4%	−8.1 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic	14.1%±0.2 pts	14.6%	−0.6 pts
Asian alone, not Hispanic	1.8%±0.1 pts	2.9%	no clear change
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic	0.1%±0.1 pts	0.1%	–
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic	0.0%±0.1 pts	0.1%	–
Two or more races, not Hispanic	3.4%±0.2 pts	3.8%	–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic	0.7%±0.1 pts	0.7%	–
Born outside the United States	12.6%±0.5 pts	21.9%	+2.6 pts
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)	27.8%±0.4 pts	30.6%	–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)	7.2%±0.3 pts	7.4%	–
With a disability	13.8%±0.4 pts	13.7%	–
No health insurance coverage	12.4%±0.5 pts	11.5%	no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)	87.9%±0.5 pts	89.9%	–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)	23.5%±0.6 pts	34.1%	+3.3 pts
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)	7.6%±0.3 pts	12.9%	–
Moved from another state in the past year	3.0%±0.3 pts	2.9%	–

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov

What do households in Polk County earn?

Half of Polk County's 289,425 households earn less than $65,978 a year (±$1,143), against $74,568 in Florida. In 2015-2019 the median was $62,253 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $3,725 after inflation. 14.5% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Polk County	Florida	Change since 2015-2019
Median household income	$65,978±$1,143	$74,568	+$3,725
Mean household income	$87,487±$1,541	$105,967	–
Per capita income	$33,249±$614	$42,609	+$2,649
People below the poverty line	14.5%±0.7 pts	12.6%	−1.3 pts
Children under 18 below the poverty line	21.3%±1.4 pts	16.5%	−3.4 pts
Households receiving SNAP	14.6%±0.6 pts	12.6%	–
Households with a broadband subscription	90.7%±0.5 pts	91.6%	–

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What does housing cost in Polk County?

Owners occupy 70.5% of Polk County's occupied homes and renters 29.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $266,500 by its owner (±$3,458). The median renter pays $1,363 a month including utilities, and 44.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Polk County	Florida	Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)	$266,500±$3,458	$359,000	+$80,911
Median gross rent	$1,363±$28	$1,669	+$159
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent	44.9%±1.8 pts	50.2%	+4.0 pts
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage	$1,716±$21	$1,959	–
Owner-occupied homes	70.5%±0.7 pts	67.6%	+1.6 pts
Housing units	340,748±196	10,256,470	+45,292
Homeowner vacancy rate	1.5%±0.2 pts	1.4%	–
Rental vacancy rate	5.1%±0.7 pts	7.6%	–
Single-family detached homes	62.0%±0.8 pts	54.7%	–
Mobile homes	19.6%±0.6 pts	8.0%	–
Built 2020 or later	4.7%±0.3 pts	3.2%	–
Built 1939 or earlier	2.6%±0.2 pts	1.9%	–

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov

How many new homes is Polk County building?

Builders took permits for 8,236 new housing units across Polk County in 2025 (6,725 single-family), 9.4 per 1,000 residents.

2019 8,726 units
2020 9,492 units
2021 13,071 units
2022 12,211 units
2023 12,513 units
2024 10,384 units
2025 8,236 units

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Polk County get to work?

75.0% of Polk County's workers drive alone and 12.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.8%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Polk County	Florida	Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)	58.0%±0.6 pts	59.8%	–
Unemployment rate	4.8%±0.4 pts	4.8%	−1.1 pts
Drove alone to work	75.0%±0.7 pts	70.2%	–
Carpooled	8.8%±0.5 pts	9.2%	–
Public transportation	0.4%±0.1 pts	1.2%	–
Walked	1.1%±0.2 pts	1.4%	–
Worked from home	12.4%±0.5 pts	15.7%	+8.4 pts
Mean travel time to work	30.5 min±0.5	28.0 min	+2.7 min

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What are Polk County's census tracts?

Polk County is divided into 174 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $26,783 (Tract 137.01) to $126,536 (Tract 118.37).

All 174 census tracts of Polk County, with their figures

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov

How does Polk County compare with Florida's other counties?

Polk County's rank among Florida's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
Measure	Rank
Population	9th of 67
Growth 2020-2025	8th of 67
Residents per square mile	21st of 67
Median household income	37th of 67
Median home value	36th of 67
Median gross rent	30th of 67
Poverty rate	30th of 67
Bachelor's degree or higher	36th of 67
Median age	56th of 67

Every county in Florida

Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed

How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections

Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Polk County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.