RANK #909 / 996 · POP 736,229 · FL
PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.8%
Polk County, Florida, distinguishes itself with its extensive network of over 550 freshwater lakes and 25,000 acres of recreational parks, offering abundant opportunities for outdoor activities like water skiing, kayaking, and fishing. Located in Central Florida, between Tampa and Orlando, the county provides a blend of suburban and rural living. Lakeland, the largest city, is known as "Swan City" for its wild swans and 38 lakes. Commuting to nearby major cities is common, with Interstate 4 serving as a primary route, though local roads like the Polk Parkway (SR 570) offer in-county alternatives. The community offers a slower pace of life compared to its metropolitan neighbors.
Life in Polk County appeals to a mix of families, retirees, and commuters seeking affordability and access to larger cities. The Polk County Public School District is one of Florida's largest, with approximately 160 school sites. The economy is diversified, with manufacturing emerging as a significant sector, growing faster than the state average and employing over 20,000 workers. Major investments are also flowing into data centers and energy infrastructure, with proposals for hyperscale data centers under consideration, which could bring substantial tax revenue and jobs. These developments aim to strengthen the local economy and support community services.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Prices declining
Housing is fairly valued at 4.7x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Fort Meade Data Center Campus
Bohler Places LLC (developer, end-user undisclosed)
|
$2,700M | Planned |
|
Solar Farm Portfolio (Alafia, Jamison, Lake Mabel, Peace Creek, Payne Creek, Durrance, Lake Hancock, Bonnie Mine)
Tampa Electric Co. / Duke Energy
|
$570M | Operating/Completed |
|
Cielo Haines City Data Center
Cielo Digital Infrastructure
|
$300M | Planned |
|
RealCold Cold Storage Warehouse
RealCold
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Polk County Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Facility
OPAL Fuels Inc. / Polk County municipal government
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Lake Mabel Solar and Battery Storage
Tampa Electric Co.
|
$40M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Polk County has a Boom Town Index score of 9/100, ranking #909 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.7% and a median household income of $60,901, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Polk County is $215,700 with median rent at $1,192/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2823, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +3.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.7%. Home values changed -4.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.87% of Polk County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.