Polk County, Florida
Encyclopedia
Polk County is located in central Florida
between the Tampa Bay
and Greater Orlando metropolitan areas. The county was established by the state government in 1861 on the eve of the American Civil War
and named after former United States
president James K. Polk
. The county seat
is Bartow
and its largest city is Lakeland
. The center of population
of Florida is located in the city of Lake Wales
within Polk County. The 2010 Census put the county's population at 602,095.
Polk County is coextensive with the Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) designated by the Office of Management and Budget and used for statistical purposes by the Census Census and other agencies. Lakeland and Winter Haven
are designated as the MSA's principal cities. The Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area was first defined in 1973. Winter Haven was removed as a principal city in 2003, but was added again in 2007.
Winter Haven was best known as the home of Cypress Gardens
, a theme park which closed Sept. 23, 2009. The city is now home to the theme park Legoland Florida
, built on the site of Cypress Gardens. Country musician Gram Parsons
was from a wealthy family in Winter Haven. Winter Haven was also home to the first Publix supermarket
circa 1930 and Lakeland, Florida is where Publix's Corporate Offices are located. The town of Bartow was named in honor of Francis S. Bartow, the first Confederate officer to die in the American Civil War.
The first people to call Polk County home arrived close to 12,000 years ago during the last ice age as the first paleo-indians arrived on the peninsula of Florida as they followed big game southward. By this time, the peninsula had gone through several expansions and contractions; at times the peninsula was much wider than it is today, while at other times it was almost entirely submerged with only a few small islands above sea level. These first paleo-indians were nomadic hunter/gatherers who did not establish any permanent settlers and they eventually gave way to the "archaic people" who were the ancestors of the Indians who came in contact with the Spaniards
when they arrived on the peninsula. These Indians thrived on the peninsula and it is estimated that there were over 250,000 in 1492 when Columbus
set sail for the New World
. As was common elsewhere, the Indians' contact with Europeans had a devastating effect on the Indians. Small Pox, Measles
and other diseases the Indians had no immunity for caused widespread epidemic and death. Those who had not succumbed to diseases such as Small Pox or Yellow Fever were either killed or enslaved. Eventually the remnants of these tribes would merge together with Creek Indians who arrived from the north and become the Seminole Indian tribe. Within a few hundred years, nearly the entire pre-columbian
population of Polk County had been wiped out. The remnants of these Indians joined with renegade Creek Indians from Georgia
and The Carolinas
to form the Seminole
Indian Tribe.
For around 250 years after Ponce De Leon
arrived on the peninsula, the Spanish ruled Florida. In the late 17th century, Florida went through an unstable period in which the French
and British
ruled the peninsula. After the American Revolution
, the peninsula briefly reverted back to Spanish rule. In 1819, Florida became a U.S. territory as a result of the Adams-Onis Treaty
.
Polk County became Florida's 39th county on February 8, 1861, when the State of Florida divided Hillsborough County into eastern and western halves. The eastern half was named Polk, in honor of the 11th President of the United States, James Knox Polk. Polk was sworn in as president on the day after Florida's March 3, 1845 statehood; thus Polk was the earliest U.S. President to govern Florida as a state for a full presidential term.
Following the Civil War, the county commission established the county seat on 120 acre (0.4856232 km²) donated in the central part of the county. Bartow, the county seat, was named after Francis S. Bartow, a confederate Colonel from Georgia who was the first confederate officer to die in battle during the first battle of the Civil War. Colonel Bartow was buried in Savannah, GA with military honors, and promoted posthumously to the rank of brigadier general. Fort Blount, as Bartow was then known, in a move to honor one of the first fallen heroes of the Confederacy, was one of several towns and counties in the South that changed their name to Bartow. The first courthouse built in Bartow was constructed in 1867. It was replaced twice, in 1884 and in 1908. As the third courthouse to stand on the site, the present structure houses the Polk County Historical Museum and Genealogical Library.
(closest to Tampa) and the Northeast areas near Haines City
(nearest to Orlando). From 1990-2000, unincorporated areas grew 25%, while incorporated areas grew only 11%. In addition to developing cottage communities for commuters, there is evidence in Haines City
of suburban sprawl into unincorporated areas. Despite the impressive growth rate, the unemployment rate of Polk has typically been higher than that of the entire state. In August 2010, the county had an unemployment rate of 13.4% compared to 11.7% for the entire state.
During the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season
, three hurricanes, Charley
, Frances
and Jeanne
all tracked over Polk County, intersecting in a triangle that includes the city of Bartow, Florida
.
The Lakeland-Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area encompasses the entirety of, and only, Polk County.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 483,924 people, 187,233 households, and 132,373 families residing in the county. The population density
was 258 people per square mile (100/km²). There were 226,376 housing units at an average density of 121 per square mile (47/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.58% White, 13.54% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.82% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. 9.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. In 2000 only 37% of county residents lived in incorporated metropolitan areas.
There were 187,233 households, of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.40% were married couples
living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% have someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county the population was spread out, with 24.40% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 18.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,036, and the median income for a family was $41,442. Males had a median income of $31,396, versus $22,406 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $18,302. 12.90% of the population and 9.40% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 19.10% were under the age of 18 and 8.10% were 65 or older.
The other major cities in the county with a population over 10,000 include Haines City, Auburndale and Lake Wales. Haines City is in the northeast part of the county and has over 20,000 residents. Auburndale is located just west of Winter Haven and Lake Wales is around 16 miles east of Bartow.
Other cities and towns in the county include Davenport, Dundee, Eagle Lake, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Highland Park, Hillcrest Heights, Lake Alfred, Lake Hamilton, Mulberry, and Polk City.
.
Among the most important duties of the county commission is levying taxes and appropriations. The Ad Valorem millage rate levied by the county for county government purposes is 6.8665. The commission is responsible for providing appropriations for other countywide offices including the sheriff, property appraiser, tax collector and supervisor of elections. The county and circuit court systems are also partially supported by the county budget, including the state attorneys and public defenders. A portion of the county's budget is dedicated to providing municipal level services and regulations to unincorporated areas, such as zoning, business codes,and fire protection. Other services benefit both those in municipalities and in unincorporated Polk County such as those which provide recreational and cultural opportunities.
daily newspaper said they would support a resolution advising the Florida Board of Education to revise proposed science standards to include alternative theories to evolution
. Responses from the Flying Spaghetti Monster
group, anti-creationist Wesley R. Elsberry
, and others in the scientific community made the board retract their statements.
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
between the Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is a large natural harbor and estuary along the Gulf of Mexico on the west central coast of Florida, comprising Hillsborough Bay, Old Tampa Bay, Middle Tampa Bay, and Lower Tampa Bay."Tampa Bay" is not the name of any municipality...
and Greater Orlando metropolitan areas. The county was established by the state government in 1861 on the eve of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
and named after former United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
president James K. Polk
James K. Polk
James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee...
. The county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Bartow
Bartow, Florida
Bartow is the county seat of Polk County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1851 as Fort Blount, the city was renamed in honor of Francis S. Bartow the first brigade commander to die in combat during the American Civil War. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2000 Census, the city had a...
and its largest city is Lakeland
Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
. The center of population
Center of population
In demographics, the center of population of a region is a geographical point that describes a centerpoint of the region's population...
of Florida is located in the city of Lake Wales
Lake Wales, Florida
Lake Wales is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 10,194 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 11,802 . It is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area...
within Polk County. The 2010 Census put the county's population at 602,095.
Polk County is coextensive with the Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) designated by the Office of Management and Budget and used for statistical purposes by the Census Census and other agencies. Lakeland and Winter Haven
Winter Haven, Florida
Winter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,487 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 estimates, the city had a population of 32,577, making it the second most populated city in Polk County...
are designated as the MSA's principal cities. The Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area was first defined in 1973. Winter Haven was removed as a principal city in 2003, but was added again in 2007.
Winter Haven was best known as the home of Cypress Gardens
Cypress Gardens
Cypress Gardens was an American theme park near Winter Haven, Florida, that operated from 1936 to 2009.-History:Billed as Florida's first commercial tourist theme park, Cypress Gardens opened on January 2, 1936 as a botanical garden planted by Dick Pope Sr. and his wife Julie...
, a theme park which closed Sept. 23, 2009. The city is now home to the theme park Legoland Florida
Legoland Florida
Legoland Florida is a theme park in Winter Haven, Florida. It opened on Saturday, October 15, 2011. Merlin Entertainments Group operates the park which encompasses of the former Cypress Gardens amusement park, making Legoland Florida the world's largest Legoland park.-Announcement:A press release...
, built on the site of Cypress Gardens. Country musician Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. Parsons is best known for his work within the country genre; he also mixed blues, folk, and rock to create what he called "Cosmic American Music"...
was from a wealthy family in Winter Haven. Winter Haven was also home to the first Publix supermarket
Publix
Publix Super Markets, Inc. is an American supermarket chain based in Lakeland, Florida.Founded in 1930 by George W. Jenkins, it is an employee-owned, privately held corporation. Publix is currently ranked No. 86 on Fortune magazine's list of 100 Best Companies to Work For 2010 and was ranked No...
circa 1930 and Lakeland, Florida is where Publix's Corporate Offices are located. The town of Bartow was named in honor of Francis S. Bartow, the first Confederate officer to die in the American Civil War.
History
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
when they arrived on the peninsula. These Indians thrived on the peninsula and it is estimated that there were over 250,000 in 1492 when Columbus
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator, born in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents in the...
set sail for the New World
New World
The New World is one of the names used for the Western Hemisphere, specifically America and sometimes Oceania . The term originated in the late 15th century, when America had been recently discovered by European explorers, expanding the geographical horizon of the people of the European middle...
. As was common elsewhere, the Indians' contact with Europeans had a devastating effect on the Indians. Small Pox, Measles
Measles
Measles, also known as rubeola or morbilli, is an infection of the respiratory system caused by a virus, specifically a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus. Morbilliviruses, like other paramyxoviruses, are enveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA viruses...
and other diseases the Indians had no immunity for caused widespread epidemic and death. Those who had not succumbed to diseases such as Small Pox or Yellow Fever were either killed or enslaved. Eventually the remnants of these tribes would merge together with Creek Indians who arrived from the north and become the Seminole Indian tribe. Within a few hundred years, nearly the entire pre-columbian
Pre-Columbian
The pre-Columbian era incorporates all period subdivisions in the history and prehistory of the Americas before the appearance of significant European influences on the American continents, spanning the time of the original settlement in the Upper Paleolithic period to European colonization during...
population of Polk County had been wiped out. The remnants of these Indians joined with renegade Creek Indians from Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
and The Carolinas
The Carolinas
The Carolinas is a term used in the United States to refer collectively to the states of North and South Carolina. Together, the two states + have a population of 13,942,126. "Carolina" would be the fifth most populous state behind California, Texas, New York, and Florida...
to form the Seminole
Seminole
The Seminole are a Native American people originally of Florida, who now reside primarily in that state and Oklahoma. The Seminole nation emerged in a process of ethnogenesis out of groups of Native Americans, most significantly Creeks from what is now Georgia and Alabama, who settled in Florida in...
Indian Tribe.
For around 250 years after Ponce De Leon
Ponce de León
-People:* Juan Ponce de León, a Spanish explorer of the Americas and first Governor of Puerto Rico* Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the son of Juan Ponce de León II, and early settler of Ponce, Puerto Rico...
arrived on the peninsula, the Spanish ruled Florida. In the late 17th century, Florida went through an unstable period in which the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
ruled the peninsula. After the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, the peninsula briefly reverted back to Spanish rule. In 1819, Florida became a U.S. territory as a result of the Adams-Onis Treaty
Adams-Onís Treaty
The Adams–Onís Treaty of 1819, also known as the Transcontinental Treaty or the Purchase of Florida, was a treaty between the United States and Spain in 1819 that gave Florida to the U.S. and set out a boundary between the U.S. and New Spain . It settled a standing border dispute between the two...
.
Polk County became Florida's 39th county on February 8, 1861, when the State of Florida divided Hillsborough County into eastern and western halves. The eastern half was named Polk, in honor of the 11th President of the United States, James Knox Polk. Polk was sworn in as president on the day after Florida's March 3, 1845 statehood; thus Polk was the earliest U.S. President to govern Florida as a state for a full presidential term.
Following the Civil War, the county commission established the county seat on 120 acre (0.4856232 km²) donated in the central part of the county. Bartow, the county seat, was named after Francis S. Bartow, a confederate Colonel from Georgia who was the first confederate officer to die in battle during the first battle of the Civil War. Colonel Bartow was buried in Savannah, GA with military honors, and promoted posthumously to the rank of brigadier general. Fort Blount, as Bartow was then known, in a move to honor one of the first fallen heroes of the Confederacy, was one of several towns and counties in the South that changed their name to Bartow. The first courthouse built in Bartow was constructed in 1867. It was replaced twice, in 1884 and in 1908. As the third courthouse to stand on the site, the present structure houses the Polk County Historical Museum and Genealogical Library.
Recent history
Growth in Polk County is driven by proximity to both the Tampa and Orlando metropolitan areas along the Interstate 4 corridor. Recent growth has been heaviest in LakelandLakeland, Florida
Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
(closest to Tampa) and the Northeast areas near Haines City
Haines City, Florida
Haines City is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 13,174 at the 2000 census. As of 2010, the population estimated by the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida is 18,762. Haines City is the third most populous city in Polk County, Florida...
(nearest to Orlando). From 1990-2000, unincorporated areas grew 25%, while incorporated areas grew only 11%. In addition to developing cottage communities for commuters, there is evidence in Haines City
Haines City, Florida
Haines City is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 13,174 at the 2000 census. As of 2010, the population estimated by the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida is 18,762. Haines City is the third most populous city in Polk County, Florida...
of suburban sprawl into unincorporated areas. Despite the impressive growth rate, the unemployment rate of Polk has typically been higher than that of the entire state. In August 2010, the county had an unemployment rate of 13.4% compared to 11.7% for the entire state.
During the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season
2004 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2004 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 2004, and lasted until November 30, 2004. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin...
, three hurricanes, Charley
Hurricane Charley
Hurricane Charley was the third named storm, the second hurricane, and the second major hurricane of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. Charley lasted from August 9 to August 15, and at its peak intensity it attained 150 mph winds, making it a strong Category 4 hurricane on the...
, Frances
Hurricane Frances
Hurricane Frances was the sixth named storm, the fourth hurricane, and the third major hurricane of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. The system crossing the open Atlantic during mid to late August, moving to the north of the Lesser Antilles while strengthening. Its outer bands affected Puerto...
and Jeanne
Hurricane Jeanne
Hurricane Jeanne was the deadliest hurricane in the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. It was the tenth named storm, the seventh hurricane, and the fifth major hurricane of the season, as well as the third hurricane and fourth named storm of the season to make landfall in Florida...
all tracked over Polk County, intersecting in a triangle that includes the city of Bartow, Florida
Bartow, Florida
Bartow is the county seat of Polk County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1851 as Fort Blount, the city was renamed in honor of Francis S. Bartow the first brigade commander to die in combat during the American Civil War. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2000 Census, the city had a...
.
Geography and climate
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 2009.99 square miles (5,205.9 km²), of which 1874.38 square miles (4,854.6 km²) (or 93.25%) is land and 135.6 square miles (351.2 km²) (or 6.75%) is water.The Lakeland-Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area encompasses the entirety of, and only, Polk County.
Adjacent counties
Due to its size and central location in the state, Polk County shares borders with more counties than any other in the state, nine. Polk County nearly borders Orange County and is considered by many to be adjacent although the two counties do not technically share a border. The counties are:- Lake County, FloridaLake County, FloridaLake County is a county located in the state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 210,528. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 307,243. Its county seat is Tavares...
- north - Osceola County, FloridaOsceola County, FloridaOsceola County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 172,493. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 244,045, making it the 17th fastest-growing county in the United States. Its county seat is Kissimmee.- History :Osceola County was...
- east - Okeechobee County, FloridaOkeechobee County, FloridaOkeechobee County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 35,910. According to 2005 U.S. Census estimates, its population had grown to 39,836. The county seat is Okeechobee, Florida. The county comprises the Okeechobee, Florida Micropolitan Statistical Area.-...
- southeast - Highlands County, FloridaHighlands County, FloridaHighlands County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the population was 97,346. Its county seat is Sebring, Florida. The county comprises the Sebring, Florida, Micropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
- southeast - Hardee County, FloridaHardee County, FloridaHardee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 26,938. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 28,286 . Its county seat is Wauchula, Florida. The county comprises the Wauchula, Florida, Micropolitan Statistical Area.- History :It...
- south - Manatee County, FloridaManatee County, FloridaManatee County is a county in the state of Florida. According to the 2010 census by the U.S. Census Bureau there are 322,833 people living in Manatee Country.Manatee County is part of the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- southwest - Hillsborough County, FloridaHillsborough County, FloridaAs of the census of 2000, there were 998,948 people, 391,357 households, and 255,164 families residing in the county. The population density was 951 people per square mile . There were 425,962 housing units at an average density of 405 per square mile...
- west - Sumter County, FloridaSumter County, FloridaSumter County is a county located in the state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 53,345. The 2006 Census estimate puts its population at 68,768 . Its county seat is Bushnell, Florida and the largest incorporated municipality is Wildwood, Florida. The Villages,...
- northwest - Pasco County, FloridaPasco County, FloridaPasco County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 344,765. The July 1, 2007 census estimate according to the U.S. Census Bureau for the county is 462,715. Its county seat is Dade City, Florida which is in the northeast part of the county - somewhat...
- northwest
- Orange County, FloridaOrange County, FloridaOrange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida and is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 1,145,956....
- nearly borders Orange County, with the exact location of the county lines being about fifteen feet apart.
- Although the area of Orange County that borders Lake County, Osceola County and that virtually touches Polk County is called the "Four Corners" area, Orange County Florida does not actually border Polk County, Florida. The area known as "Four Corners" is actually two sets of three corners. Orange County, Lake County and Osceola County share a common border that is located at the intersection of the westbound lane of Route 192 near Bali Boulevard; Lake County, Osceola County and Polk County share a common border across the street, about 15 yards away, at the eastbound lane of Route 192 near Bali Boulevard. The four counties do not in fact share a common border and therefore Orange County, while being extremely near Polk County, does not technically border it. (http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=28.346988636504882~-81.6573069131943&lvl=17&sty=h&where1=Avalon%20Rd%2C%20Winter%20Garden%2C%20FL%2034787)
Climate
Demographics
| Polk County Comparative Demographics | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 Est. | Polk County | |Florida | United States |
| Total population | 570,116 | 15,982,378 | 281,421,906 |
| Owner-occupied housing, median value | $150,400 | $230,600 | $185,200 |
| Median household income | $44,633 | $45,495 | |$48,451 |
| Families below poverty level | 10.5% | 9.0% | 9.8% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 25.3% | 27.0% |
| Foreign born | 10.6% | 18.9% | 12.5% |
| White | 77.7% | 76.1% | 73.9% |
| Black | 13.7% | 15.4% | 12.4% |
| Hispanic (any race) | 15.4% | 20.1% | 12.8% |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.2% | 4.4% |
As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 483,924 people, 187,233 households, and 132,373 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 258 people per square mile (100/km²). There were 226,376 housing units at an average density of 121 per square mile (47/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.58% White, 13.54% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.82% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. 9.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. In 2000 only 37% of county residents lived in incorporated metropolitan areas.
There were 187,233 households, of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.40% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% have someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county the population was spread out, with 24.40% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 18.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,036, and the median income for a family was $41,442. Males had a median income of $31,396, versus $22,406 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $18,302. 12.90% of the population and 9.40% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 19.10% were under the age of 18 and 8.10% were 65 or older.
Cities and towns
According to the 2010 Census, just under 38% of the population of the county lives in one of Polk's seventeen incorporated municipalities. The largest city, Lakeland has over 97,000 residents and is located in the western edge of the county. The other core city of the metropolitan area, Winter Haven, is located in the eastern part of the county and has 34,000 residents. The county seat, Bartow, is located southeast of Lakeland and southwest of Winter Haven and has over 17,000 residents. The cities of Bartow, Lakeland, and Winter Haven form a roughly equilateral triangle pointed downward with Bartow being the south point, Lakeland the west point, and Winter Haven the east point.The other major cities in the county with a population over 10,000 include Haines City, Auburndale and Lake Wales. Haines City is in the northeast part of the county and has over 20,000 residents. Auburndale is located just west of Winter Haven and Lake Wales is around 16 miles east of Bartow.
Other cities and towns in the county include Davenport, Dundee, Eagle Lake, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Highland Park, Hillcrest Heights, Lake Alfred, Lake Hamilton, Mulberry, and Polk City.
Economy
Polk County's economy is supported by a workforce of over 275,000 in 2010. Traditionally, the largest industries in Polk's economy have been phosphate mining, agriculture, and tourism.Government and Politics
The executive and legislative powers of the county are vested in the five member Board of County Commissioners. While the county is divided into five separate districts, the election is held countywide. Each term lasts for four years with odd numbered districts holding elections in presidential election years, and even numbered districts holding elections two years later. Like all elected officials in the state, county commissioners are subject to recall. The commissioners elect a chairman and vice-chairman annually. The chairman then selects the chairs of each committee who work with the county manager to establish the policies of the board. The commission meets twice a month- generally every other Tuesday. Additional meetings take place as needed, but must be announced per the Florida Sunshine lawsFreedom of information legislation (Florida)
The open government laws in Florida are the most expansive among the United States. It has proceeded on three tracks:*Statutory public records↓ ,...
.
Among the most important duties of the county commission is levying taxes and appropriations. The Ad Valorem millage rate levied by the county for county government purposes is 6.8665. The commission is responsible for providing appropriations for other countywide offices including the sheriff, property appraiser, tax collector and supervisor of elections. The county and circuit court systems are also partially supported by the county budget, including the state attorneys and public defenders. A portion of the county's budget is dedicated to providing municipal level services and regulations to unincorporated areas, such as zoning, business codes,and fire protection. Other services benefit both those in municipalities and in unincorporated Polk County such as those which provide recreational and cultural opportunities.
| Year | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
Other Third party (United States) The term third party is used in the United States for any and all political parties in the United States other than one of the two major parties . The term can also refer to independent politicians not affiliated with any party at all and to write-in candidates.The United States has had a... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 52.5% | 46.3% | 0.6% |
| 2004 | 58.6% | 40.8% | 0.6% |
| 2000 | 53.6% | 44.6% | 1.8% |
| 1996 | 45.3% | 44.4% | 10.3% |
| 1992 | 45.2% | 35.3% | 19.5% |
| 1988 | 66.4% | 33.0% | 0.6% |
Universities and Colleges
- Polk State College (Public, Previous name: Polk Community College)
- Southeastern UniversitySoutheastern UniversityLocated in southwestern Washington, D.C., in the United States, Southeastern University was a private, non-profit undergraduate and graduate institution of higher education that lost its accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education on August 31, 2009. The Commission reported...
(Private) - Florida Southern CollegeFlorida Southern CollegeFlorida Southern College is a private college located in Lakeland, Florida, United States. It was selected by U.S...
(Private) - University of South Florida Polytechnic (Public)
Intelligent Design Controversy
In November 2007, four Polk County School Board members interviewed by The LedgerThe Ledger
The Ledger is a daily newspaper serving Lakeland, Florida and the Polk County area. It is owned by The New York Times Company. Jerome Ferson became publisher of the newspaper on July 30, 2007....
daily newspaper said they would support a resolution advising the Florida Board of Education to revise proposed science standards to include alternative theories to evolution
Evolution
Evolution is any change across successive generations in the heritable characteristics of biological populations. Evolutionary processes give rise to diversity at every level of biological organisation, including species, individual organisms and molecules such as DNA and proteins.Life on Earth...
. Responses from the Flying Spaghetti Monster
Flying Spaghetti Monster
The Flying Spaghetti Monster is the deity of the parody religion the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster or Pastafarianism...
group, anti-creationist Wesley R. Elsberry
Wesley R. Elsberry
Dr. Wesley Royce Elsberry is a marine biologist with an interdisciplinary background in zoology, computer science, and wildlife and fisheries sciences. He has become involved in the creation-evolution controversy.- Biography :...
, and others in the scientific community made the board retract their statements.
Transportation
- Limited Access Highways:
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Interstate 4Interstate 4Interstate 4 is a intrastate Highway located entirely within the state of Florida, United States. It goes from Interstate 275 in Tampa, Florida to Interstate 95 at Daytona Beach, Florida . It also has the Florida Department of Transportation designation of State Road 400, but only a small... -
Polk Parkway - Central Polk ParkwayCentral Polk ParkwayThe Central Polk Parkway is a proposed toll road in Polk County, Florida. The proposed road is actually two separate roads—called "legs" by the Florida Department of Transportation . The western segment would connect the Polk Parkway with Florida State Road 60 between Bartow & Lake Wales...
(proposed) - Heartland ParkwayHeartland ParkwayThe Heartland Parkway is a proposed toll road running from Polk County in central Florida to the Fort Myers–Naples area of southwest Florida, to be operated by Florida's Turnpike Enterprise. The proposed toll road would run approximately through rural portions of Polk, Hardee, Highlands, DeSoto,...
(proposed)
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- U.S. HighwayUnited States Numbered HighwaysThe system of United States Numbered Highways is an integrated system of roads and highways in the United States numbered within a nationwide grid...
s:-
US 17U.S. Route 17 in FloridaU.S. Route 17 in Florida is a north–south United States Highway. It runs from the Punta Gorda, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area northeast to the Greater Jacksonville Metropolitan Area.... -
US 27U.S. Route 27 in FloridaU.S. Route 27 in Florida is a north–south United States Highway. It runs from the South Florida Metropolitan Area northwest to the Tallahassee Metropolitan Statistical Area. Throughout the state, US 27 has been designated the Claude Pepper Memorial Highway by the Florida State Legislature... -
US 98U.S. Route 98 in FloridaU.S. Route 98 is an east-west United States highway that runs from western Mississippi to southern Florida. It was established in 1933 as a route between Pensacola, Florida and Apalachicola, Florida, and has since been extended eastward across the Florida Peninsula and westward into Mississippi...
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- Major State RoadsState Roads in FloridaRoads maintained by the Florida Department of Transportation or a toll authority are referred to officially as State Roads, abbreviated SR. State Roads are always numbered; in general, the numbers follow a grid. Odd numbered roads run north-south, and even numbered roads run east-west...
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State Road 17Florida State Road 17State Road 17 , also formerly known as Alternate U.S. 27, is a north–south state road in the U.S. state of Florida. It is split into two sections... -
State Road 33Florida State Road 33State Road 33 is a road running through Lake and Polk counties in Florida.-Route description:State Road 33 begins in Lakeland off US 92 and heads north to Polk City. From there, it traverses through mostly rural farmland into Lake County and Groveland. In Groveland, it intersects and begins a ... -
State Road 37 -
State Road 60 -
State Road 540Florida State Road 540State Road 540 is a west–east route in Central Florida, serving Polk County. It runs from the south side of the city of Lakeland to US 27. SR 540 also runs along the future entrance to Legoland Florida... -
State Road 542Florida State Road 542State Road 542 is a west–east route in Central Florida, serving Polk County. It runs 6.8 miles from the downtown of Winter Haven to the downtown of Dundee, Florida.-Route description:... -
State Road 544Florida State Road 544State Road 544 is a west-east state road in the U.S. state of Florida. It runs 11.7 miles from Auburndale to Haines City.-Route Description:...
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Government links/Constitutional offices
- Polk County Government / Board of County Commissioners official website
- Polk County Clerk of Courts
- Polk County Supervisor of Elections
- Polk County Property Appraiser
- Polk County Sheriff's Office
- Polk County Tax Collector
Special districts
- Polk County Public Schools
- South Florida Water Management District
- Southwest Florida Water Management District
- Lake Region Lakes Management District "Canal Commission"
Judicial branch
- Public Defender, 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida servings HardeeHardee County, FloridaHardee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 26,938. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 28,286 . Its county seat is Wauchula, Florida. The county comprises the Wauchula, Florida, Micropolitan Statistical Area.- History :It...
, HighlandsHighlands County, FloridaHighlands County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the population was 97,346. Its county seat is Sebring, Florida. The county comprises the Sebring, Florida, Micropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
, and Polk Counties - Office of the State Attorney, 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida
- 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Miscellaneous
- Polk Partners, founded by the LakelandLakeland, FloridaLakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Winter HavenWinter Haven, FloridaWinter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,487 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 estimates, the city had a population of 32,577, making it the second most populated city in Polk County...
Chamber of Commerce, Central Florida Development Council, and The LedgerThe LedgerThe Ledger is a daily newspaper serving Lakeland, Florida and the Polk County area. It is owned by The New York Times Company. Jerome Ferson became publisher of the newspaper on July 30, 2007....
. - Polk County Democrat local newspaper for Polk County, Florida fully and openly available in the Florida Digital Newspaper Library
- Polk County Guide online guide to attractions & events in Polk County, Florida