Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL Metro Area

Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL · Metro Area

790,694Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 1 county, part of the Orlando-Lakeland-Deltona, FL combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $65,978
Median home value: $266,500
Land area: 1,798 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Polk County, FL	Central	790,694	$65,978	$266,500

Largest cities and towns

39 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Lakeland, FL	City	119,961	$64,185
Poinciana, FL	CDP	75,068	$68,015
Winter Haven, FL	City	55,200	$59,648
Haines City, FL	City	34,234	$65,975
Bartow, FL	City	20,438	$68,178
Auburndale, FL	City	18,530	$77,911
Lake Wales, FL	City	16,785	$56,347
Highland City, FL	CDP	13,276	$90,947
Lakeland Highlands, FL	CDP	12,102	$108,263
Medulla, FL	CDP	10,985	$70,802
Fuller Heights, FL	CDP	10,083	$82,006
Cypress Gardens, FL	CDP	10,077	$75,483
Loughman, FL	CDP	7,591	$66,273
Inwood, FL	CDP	7,556	$55,540
Willow Oak, FL	CDP	7,454	$65,688
Lake Alfred, FL	City	7,277	$67,202
Kathleen, FL	CDP	7,201	$57,097
Dundee, FL	Town	5,863	$48,668
Jan Phyl Village, FL	CDP	5,708	$53,571
Fussels Corner, FL	CDP	5,682	$56,091
Crystal Lake, FL	CDP	5,451	$49,424
Combee Settlement, FL	CDP	5,242	$40,384
Fort Meade, FL	City	5,225	$36,657
Alturas, FL	CDP	4,581	$70,231
Mulberry, FL	City	4,188	$57,708

Also in the Orlando-Lakeland-Deltona, FL combined area

Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL · metro · 2,793,746 Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL · metro · 706,150 Wildwood-The Villages, FL · metro · 143,408

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

14.5%

Unemployment

4.8%

College Educated

23.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$65,978

Mean Household Income

$87,487

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

49.3%

Female

50.7%

Population Split

Male49.3%

Female50.7%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German8.2%

English8.0%

Mexican7.4%

Irish6.8%

Italian3.7%

Polish1.5%

French1.4%

Scottish1.4%

African1.0%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

12.6%Foreign Born

87.4%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized46.6%

Non-Citizen53.4%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later35.6%

Before 201064.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

340,748

Median Rent

$1,363/mo

Median Home Value

$266,500

Median Year Built

1992

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

176,967

College Enrollment

18.8%

High School

22.4%

College Educated

23.5%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

30.5 min

Drive Alone Rate

75.0%

Public Transit

0.4%

Work From Home

12.4%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

22.0%

18-34 Years

22.1%

35-64 Years

36.4%

65+ Years

19.5%

Population Composition

Under 1822.0%

18-3422.1%

35-6436.4%

65+19.5%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

48.7%

Single Parent

5.7%

Living Alone

24.8%

Avg Size

2.68

Household Types

Married Couples48.7%

Single Parent5.7%

Living Alone24.8%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$33,249

SNAP Usage

14.6%

Health Insurance

87.6%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k15.7%

$25k - $50k20.9%

$50k - $100k33.8%

$100k+29.8%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

6.2%

Retail Trade

14.0%

Education & Health Care

19.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

13.8%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

87.6%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

90.7%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

96.1%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

97.1

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

115.6

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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