Over Seven million people within a 100-mile radius Polk County’s population topped 500,000 in 2002 Two International airports within an hour’s drive Located on Interstate 4 in the middle of Florida’s High Tech Corridor 26 million square feet of industrial/warehouse space Lakeland has absorbed over 1,000,000 square feet of space annually since 1987 Headquarters of Florida’s largest private employer, Publix Super Markets Lakeland has an abundant available. Less than one hour’s drive to professional baseball, hockey and football Polk County boasts over 550 lakes and 90 minute drives to beaches on both coasts.
Housing
Lakeland ranked 17th in the United States for the most affordable housing according to a survey compiled by the National Association of Home Builders for the second quarter of 2001. A family earning the median household income in Polk County could afford 83.3 percent of the houses sold during most of 2001.
1992 - 2002 Lakeland Home Sales Units Sold Average Price
1992 1,320 $80,171
1993 1,141 $74,401
1994 1,667 $78,844
1995 1,923 $86,803
1996 1,760 $84,359
1997 1,873 $90,176
1998 1,630 $90,385
1999 2,219 $93,144
2000 2,450 $96,907
2001 2,561 $104,546
2002 2,629 $108,306
Location
* 30 minutes from Tampa
* Less than an hour from Orlando
* 50 miles from the Gulf of Mexico
* 100 miles from the Atlantic Ocean
* Midway between Key West and the Georgia state line
* Major east/west highway routes: Interstate 4, U.S. Highway 60, and U.S. Highway 92
* Major highway routes: U.S. Highway 98, U.S. Highway 27 and I-75
* More than 3 million people live within a 50-mile radius, and over 8 million reside within a 100-mile radius
* Rail service - freight and passenger
* Lakeland Linder Regional Airport's 8,500-foot runway is designed for jet use
* Corporate and general aviation accommodations
* Lakeland Regional Airport is the designated reliever for general aviation from Tampa Airport
Situated equidistant between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland has been able to tout its strategic location, access to labor and pro-business atmosphere.
The city's reputation as a hub for product warehousing and distribution continues to grow. Construction is complete on a $471 million, 24.8-mile toll road that encircles south Lakeland (connecting at each end to Interstate 4), thus strengthening development opportunities, transportation capabilities and enhancing the city's strategic position.
In addition, the economic base has been expanded to include backoffice and service jobs, light manufacturing and food processing. While business development plans have been critical, Lakeland has taken great pains to retain its Southern personality and maintain important quality-of-life features.
The changes have been noticed. Money magazine ranks Lakeland as the 10th "Best Place to Live" for medium size cities in the South. This ranking is based on several factors including crime, housing, the economy and the quality of life.
Education
The Polk County school system is dedicated to providing the finest education possible for its students. The schools offer a wide variety of curriculum involving the basic academics in English, math, science, social studies and reading while providing broad elective experiences in art, music, vocational and personal development areas. Polk County Public Schools also offer several exceptional student programs designed to meet the needs of those who are gifted, physically or mentally impaired, and those with specific learning disabilities. Polk County also has several magnet schools with emphasis on such areas as science and math, music and art, technology and traditional academics.
Polk County is constantly striving for excellence and that determination has resulted in accolades for education. Polk County plays host to the state and national academic tournaments at Walt Disney World. The U.S. Department of Education selected Polk County's K-12 Substance Abuse program as one of 20 among a field of 200 that were most comprehensive and exemplary. 33805.