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Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 78,452. According to the 2004 U.S. Census Bureau's Estimates, the city had a population of 88,357. As of 2005, the population is approaching 90,000.

Located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4, Lakeland was first settled in the 1870s, and developed as the railroad reached the area in 1884. Lakeland is home to Florida Southern College, the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world, and one of the first Hindu temples in the United States. Publix Super Markets is also headquartered here. The first Red Lobster restaurant was opened here. One of the largest church buildings east of Texas is located in Lakeland, Carpenter's Home Church.

With a 15,000-student, four-year University of South Florida campus in the planning stages, Lakeland is expected to flourish with new educational and cultural opportunities. The city is the spring training home of the Detroit Tigers.

Lakeland is the "twin city" of Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. Go to Lakeland Florida .net for more information about Lakeland.

Lakeland recently lost one of its lakes, Scott Lake, to 5 sinkholes. See external links for details.

Geography

Lakeland is located at (28.041248, -81.958978). Lakeland is 141 feet above sea level.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 133.3 km² (51.5 mi²). 118.7 km² (45.8 mi²) of it is land and 14.5 km² (5.6 mi²) of it (10.90%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 78,452 people, 33,509 households, and 20,373 families residing in the city. The population density was 660.8/km² (1,711.3/mi²). There were 38,980 housing units at an average density of 328.3/km² (850.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 73.52% White, 21.26% African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.34% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.76% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.41% of the population.

There were 33,509 households out of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 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 of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,119, and the median income for a family was $40,468. Males had a median income of $32,137 versus $23,771 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,760. About 10.7% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.2% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

Media

The local newspaper is The Ledger. Local information Web site Lakeland Florida .net

The local radio stations are:

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

Attractions and points of interest

Notable Lakelanders

External links

School Information

Lakeland High School

Lakeland High School was the original high school in the city. Its mascot, if it can be called one, is the dreadnaught. Named after the British battleship HMS Dreadnought, the name was brought to LHS in the 1920s by stern but beloved Scottish schoolmaster. The school motto is nulli secundus -- second to none. Lakeland High is home to a highly competitive high school football team that was ranked number one nationally in 2005. *The school has three intra-city rivals: the traditional two being Kathleen and Lake Gibson, and the newer being George Jenkins High.

Cities in Florida | Polk County, Florida | Lakeland, Florida

Lakeland, Florida | Lakeland (Floryda)

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Lakeland, Florida".

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