Lakeland, Florida - wikipedia Lakeland, Florida City of Lakeland City Downtown Lakeland Location in Polk County and the state of Florida Coordinates : 28 ° 2 ′ 28 '' N 81 ° 57 ′ 32 '' W ﻿ / ﻿ 28.04111 ° N 81.95889 ° W ﻿ / 28.04111 ; - 81.95889 Coordinates : 28 ° 2 ′ 28 '' N 81 ° 57 ′ 32 '' W ﻿ / ﻿ 28.04111 ° N 81.95889 ° W ﻿ / 28.04111 ; - 81.95889 Country United States State Florida County Polk Settled c. 1875 Incorporated ( city ) January 1, 1885 Government Type Commission - Manager Mayor Howard Wiggs ( 2014 ) City Manager Anthony `` Tony '' Delgado Area City 74.93 sq mi ( 194.06 km ) Land 65.91 sq mi ( 170.70 km ) Water 9.02 sq mi ( 23.36 km ) 10.9 % Elevation 197 ft ( 60 m ) Population ( 2010 ) City 97,422 ( US : 281st ) Estimate ( 2016 ) 106,420 Density 1,614.68 / sq mi ( 623.43 / km ) Metro 584,383 Census Bureau American Community Survey Time zone EST ( UTC - 5 ) Summer ( DST ) EDT ( UTC - 4 ) ZIP code 33801 -- 33815 Area code ( s ) 863 FIPS code 12 - 38250 GNIS feature ID 0294459 Website http://www.lakelandgov.net/ Twinned with Richmond Hill, Ontario ; Imabari, Ehime, Japan ; Bălți, Moldova ; Portmore, Jamaica ; and Chongming County, Shanghai, China Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, located along Interstate 4 east of Tampa. It is part of the Tampa Bay Area. According to the 2013 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 100,710. Lakeland is a principal city of the Lakeland -- Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area ( coterminous with Polk County ), which had an estimated population of 623,009 in July 2013 based on data from the University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research. It is twinned with Richmond Hill, Ontario ; Imabari, Ehime, Japan ; Bălți, Moldova ; Portmore, Jamaica ; and Chongming County, Shanghai, China through the Lakeland chapter of Sister Cities International. Native Americans began to live in the area 12,000 years ago. White settlers arrived in Lakeland in the 1870s and the city expanded in the 1880s with the arrival of rail service. Lakeland is home to the 1,267 - acre Circle B Bar Reserve. Contents 1 History 1.1 Timeline 1.2 Prehistory 1.3 Early history 1.4 World War II 2 Geography and climate 2.1 Lakes 2.2 Climate 3 Government and politics 3.1 Mayor 3.2 Law enforcement 3.2. 1 Officers killed on duty 3.2. 2 Police canine unit 3.2. 3 Misconduct 4 Demographics 4.1 Languages 4.2 Religion 5 Economy 6 Culture 6.1 Historic districts 6.2 Buildings and locations 6.3 Media 6.4 Popular culture 7 Transportation 7.1 Bicycle routes 7.2 Public transportation 8 Education 8.1 Traditional public high schools 8.2 Magnet high schools 8.3 Traditional public middle schools 8.4 Magnet middle schools 8.5 Charter schools 8.6 Private schools 8.7 Colleges and universities 9 Sports 9.1 Stadiums 9.2 History of sports teams in Lakeland 10 Sister cities 11 See also 12 References 13 Bibliography 14 External links History Timeline Timeline of Lakeland, Florida 1884 South Florida Railroad begins operating. Town platted on land of Abraham Munn. 1885 - Town of Lakeland incorporated. 1891 - Electric lighting introduced. 1894 Acton becomes part of Lakeland. `` Freeze damages citrus crops. '' 1900 - Population : 1,180. 1904 - Fire. 1905 - Population : 3,299. 1910 - Munn Park dedicated. 1911 - Lakeland Evening Telegram newspaper begins publication. 1912 - Auditorium built. 1913 - City Hall built. 1915 - Lakeland Morning Star newspaper begins publication. 1916 - Morrell Memorial Hospital opens. 1922 - Florida Southern College relocates to Lakeland. 1924 - Lakeland Terrace Hotel in business. 1925 - Henley Field Ball Park opens. 1928 - Lakeland Theatre in business. 1930 - Population : 18,554. 1933 - Junior Welfare League of Lakeland formed. 1935 - Southeastern College of the Assemblies of God established. 1936 - WLAK radio begins broadcasting. 1937 - Roxy Theatre in business ( approximate date ). 1941 - Lakeland Ledger newspaper begins publication. 1949 - WONN radio begins broadcasting. 1953 - Filmland Drive - In cinema in business. 1957 - WWAB radio begins broadcasting. 1960 - Lakeland Indians baseball team formed. 1966 - Joker Marchant Stadium opens. 1977 - `` It snows in Lakeland. '' 1980 - Population : 47,406. 1988 - Lakeland Square Mall in business. 1990 - Population : 70,576. George Jenkins High School opens. International Sport Aviation Museum established. 1998 - Lakeland.net website online ( approximate date ). 2004 - August : Hurricane Charley occurs. 2005 - Lakeside Village shopping center in business. 2010 - Population : 97,422. 2013 - Dennis A. Ross becomes U.S. representative for Florida 's 15th congressional district. 2014 Florida Polytechnic University opens. R. Howard Wiggs becomes mayor. Prehistory The first Paleo - Indians reached the central Florida area near the end of the last ice age, as they followed big game south. As the ice melted and sea levels rose, these Native Americans ended up staying and thrived on the peninsula for thousands of years. By the time the first Spanish conquistadors arrived, more than 250,000 Native Americans were living on the peninsula. Some of these first early tribes were the Tocobago, Timucua, and Calusa. In 1527, a Spanish map showed a settlement near the Rio de la Paz. The arrival of the Spanish turned out to be disastrous to these Native American tribes. Within 150 years, the majority of the pre-Columbian Native American peoples of Florida had been wiped out. Those who had not succumbed to diseases such as smallpox or yellow fever were either killed or enslaved. Little is left of these first Native Americans cultures in Polk County except for scant archaeological records, including a few personal artifacts and shell mounds. Eventually, the remnants of these tribes merged with the Creek Indians who had arrived from the north and became the Seminole Indian tribe. Early History A view of Lakeland 's business district, early 1920s Florida became a state in 1845, and Polk County was established in 1861. After the American Civil War, the county seat was established southeast of Lakeland in Bartow. While most of the early history of Polk County centered on the two cities of Bartow and Fort Meade, eventually, people entered the areas in northern Polk County and began settling in the areas which became Lakeland. Lakeland was first settled in the 1870s and began to develop as the rail lines reached the area in 1884. It was incorporated January 1, 1885. The town was founded by Abraham Munn ( a resident of Louisville, Kentucky ), who purchased 80 acres ( 320,000 m ) of land in what is now downtown Lakeland in 1882 and platted the land for the town in 1884. Lakeland was named for the many lakes near the town site. In April 1898, the Spanish -- American War began and started a crucial point in Lakeland 's development. While the war ended quickly and had little impact on most of the nation, the Florida peninsula was used as a launch point for the war and the then small town of Lakeland housed over 9,000 troops. The Florida boom resulted in the construction of many significant structures in Lakeland, a number of which are today listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes the Terrace Hotel, New Florida Hotel ( Regency Tower, currently Lake Mirror Tower ), Polk Theatre, Frances Langford Promenade, Polk Museum of Art ( not a product of the 1920s boom ), Park Trammell Building ( formerly the Lakeland Public Library and today the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce ), and others. The city also has several historic districts with many large buildings built during the 1920s and 1940s. The Cleveland Indians held spring training there from 1923 to 1927 at Henley Field Ball Park. Parks were developed surrounding Lake Mirror including Barnett Children 's Park, Hollis Gardens, and the newest, Allen Kryger Park. The `` boom '' period went `` bust '' quickly, and years passed before the city recovered. Part of the re-emergence was due to the arrival of the Detroit Tigers in 1934 for spring training. The Tigers still train at Lakeland 's Joker Marchant Stadium and own the city 's Class A Florida State League team, the Lakeland Flying Tigers. In the mid-1930s, the Works Progress Administration built the Lakeland Municipal Airport. In 1938, Florida Southern College President Ludd Spivey invited architect Frank Lloyd Wright to design a `` great education temple in Florida. '' Wright worked on the project over a period of 20 years as Spivey found ways to fund the project and to find construction workers during World War II. Wright 's original plan called for 18 structures, in total he designed 30, but only 12 were completed. Wright 's textile block motif is used extensively on the campus, and the concrete blocks he used are in need of restoration. Wright titled the project Child of the Sun, describing his Florida Southern buildings as being `` out of the ground, into the light, a child of the sun. '' It is the largest single - site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in the world, and attracts 30,000 visitors each year. In 1975, the `` Florida Southern Architectural District '' was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 2012, Wright 's campus was designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service. The John F. Cox Grammar School opened in 1925, now repurposed as the clinic for Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine World War II At the beginning of World War II, the Lakeland School of Aeronautics -- headquartered at the recently - built Lakeland Municipal Airport -- became part of a nationwide network of civilian flight schools enjoined for the war effort by the United States Army Air Corps. Between 1940 and 1945, more than 8,000 Army Air Corps and Army Air Forces cadets trained on two - seater Stearman PT - 17 and PT - 13 biplanes at the school ( renamed the Lodwick School of Aeronautics in the midst of this period ). From June 1941 until October 1942, 1,327 British Royal Air Force cadets trained at the Lakeland facility. The Lodwick School of Aeronautics closed in 1945. The airport ceased flight operations in the 1960 ; the site has since then housed the Detroit Tigers ' `` Tiger Town '' baseball complex. Geography and climate According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 67 sq mi ( 173.5 km ), of which 45.84 sq mi ( 118.7 km ) is land and 5.61 sq mi ( 14.5 km ) ( 10.90 % ) is covered by water. Lakeland is located within the Central Florida Highlands area of the Atlantic coastal plain, with a terrain consisting of flatland interspersed with gently rolling hills. Lakes Lake Mirror Park in downtown Lakeland is lined by City Hall and Lakeland Terrace Hotel. The dominant feature in Lakeland is the city 's many lakes. Thirty - eight lakes are named, with a number of other bodies of water unnamed, mostly phosphate mine pits that eventually filled with water. The largest of these is Lake Parker, which is 2,550 acres ( 10.3 km ) in size. Much of the culture of Lakeland revolves around its many lakes, and many people use the lakes as reference points in much the same way that people in other towns use streets as reference points, such as `` I live near Lake Beulah. '' In addition to Lake Parker, some of the more prominent lakes in the Lakeland area are Lake Hollingsworth, Lake Morton, Lake Mirror, and Lake Gibson. Swans are one of the most visible features on the lakes of Lakeland. They have a long history, the first swans appearing around 1923. By 1954, the swans were gone, eradicated by alligators and pets. A Lakeland resident who mourned the passing of the swans wrote to Queen Elizabeth. The royal family allowed the capture of two of the royal swans, and the swans now on the lakes of Lakeland are the descendants of the royal swans sent by the queen. In July 2006, Scott Lake, one of the city 's lakes, was almost totally drained by a cluster of sinkholes. The lake later partially refilled. Climate Lakeland, like most other parts of Florida north of Lake Okeechobee, is located in the humid subtropical zone ( Köppen climate classification : Cfa ). Typically, summers are hot and humid with high temperatures seldom dropping below 90 ° F and 70 ° F for the overnight low. Like most of Central Florida, afternoon thunderstorms are the norm throughout the summer. Winters in Lakeland are drier and mild, with frequent sunny skies. High temperatures range in the low 70s during the day, with lows in the 50s. Rare cold snaps drop temperatures below freezing every few years. Climate data for Lakeland ( LAL ), 1981 - 2010 normals, extremes 1948 - present Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high ° F ( ° C ) 87 ( 31 ) 90 ( 32 ) 92 ( 33 ) 95 ( 35 ) 103 ( 39 ) 105 ( 41 ) 102 ( 39 ) 100 ( 38 ) 98 ( 37 ) 96 ( 36 ) 93 ( 34 ) 87 ( 31 ) 105 ( 41 ) Average high ° F ( ° C ) 73.6 ( 23.1 ) 76.9 ( 24.9 ) 81.0 ( 27.2 ) 85.7 ( 29.8 ) 90.7 ( 32.6 ) 93.2 ( 34 ) 93.9 ( 34.4 ) 94.2 ( 34.6 ) 91.7 ( 33.2 ) 86.6 ( 30.3 ) 79.9 ( 26.6 ) 74.5 ( 23.6 ) 85.2 ( 29.6 ) Average low ° F ( ° C ) 50.2 ( 10.1 ) 52.5 ( 11.4 ) 56.2 ( 13.4 ) 60.0 ( 15.6 ) 66.5 ( 19.2 ) 71.7 ( 22.1 ) 72.8 ( 22.7 ) 73.1 ( 22.8 ) 72.1 ( 22.3 ) 66.0 ( 18.9 ) 58.5 ( 14.7 ) 52.3 ( 11.3 ) 62.7 ( 17.1 ) Record low ° F ( ° C ) 20 ( − 7 ) 27 ( − 3 ) 25 ( − 4 ) 35 ( 2 ) 47 ( 8 ) 56 ( 13 ) 64 ( 18 ) 63 ( 17 ) 62 ( 17 ) 42 ( 6 ) 28 ( − 2 ) 20 ( − 7 ) 20 ( − 7 ) Average precipitation inches ( mm ) 2.59 ( 65.8 ) 2.67 ( 67.8 ) 3.68 ( 93.5 ) 2.54 ( 64.5 ) 3.19 ( 81 ) 8.74 ( 222 ) 7.88 ( 200.2 ) 7.51 ( 190.8 ) 6.10 ( 154.9 ) 2.60 ( 66 ) 1.79 ( 45.5 ) 2.88 ( 73.2 ) 52.17 ( 1,325.2 ) Average rainy days ( ≥ 0.01 in ) 7.8 7.4 7.8 6.4 7.5 14.4 17.1 16.8 12.4 6.9 6.4 5.9 116.8 Mean monthly sunshine hours 203.2 209.4 258.2 302.1 306.7 255.8 255.4 248.9 226.5 239.9 213.4 203.5 2,923 Source : Government and politics Former city hall of Lakeland, built 1913 ( photo 2011 ) Lakeland is governed by a six - member city council. Four members are elected from districts ; the other two are elected at large. The mayor is elected. Mayor The City of Lakeland was incorporated on January 1, 1885. The mayor is one of seven members of the City Commission, acting as the board chair and performing mostly ceremonial and procedural duties beyond the powers of the other six. Prior to 1988, Lakeland 's mayor was selected by the City Commission among its members. Mayors can be on the board for up to 12 years in a lifetime, or 16 years in combination with holding a regular commission position. Since 1988 the mayor is elected by the citizens of the city. List of mayors of Lakeland, Florida John W. Trammell, 1885 John D. Torrence, 1885 Eppes C. Tucker, Sr., 1886, 1887, 1888 Napoleon B. Bowyer, 1889, 1890 Herbert J. Drane, 1888 - 1892 J.T. Park, 1894 Clarence A. Boswell, 1894 - 1896 James p. Thompson, 1897, 1899 Samuel L.A. Clonts, 1898, 1903, 1904, 1912 C.M. Marsh, 1898 Park Trammell, 1900 - 1902 John F. Cox, 1905 - 1907, 1911, 1916, 1917 John S. Edwards, 1909 Jackson, William K., 1910 Oscar M. Eaton, 1913 - 1915 Edwin C. Flanagan, 1918, 1919 Frank H. Thompson, 1920 Hubert C. Petteway, 1921 J.T. Hodges, 1922, 1923 Daniel C. Boswell, 1924 John W. Buchanan, Jr., 1925 J. Bunyan Smith, 1926 Jesse F. Council, 1927, 1928 William S. Rodgers, 1927 William F. Reid, 1928, 1931 Charles I. Dwiggins, 1929 H. Dean Grady, 1930, 1931 Benjamin M. Pulliam, 1932 Elijah A. Godwin, 1933, 1935 Edward L. Mack, 1934 George W. Mershon, 1936 H. Clay Haynes, 1937 Lutie M. Koons, 1938 Thomas D. Conter, 1939 Ira C. Hopper, 1940 George J. Tolson, 1941, 1944, 1947 Elmer E. Kelly, Jr., 1942 Horace W. Gibson, 1943 William Cade, 1945, 1948 Edwin C. Flanagan, Jr., 1946 Clinton V. McClurg, 1948 Ernest B. Sutton, 1949 Guerry L. Dobbins, 1950 Clayton Logan, 1951 James J. Musso, 1952, 1958 Norman T. Kent, 1953 Wilbur Y. Wooten, 1954 S. Scott Kelly, 1955 Mac H. Cunningham, 1956 Earl W. Bowen, 1957 William M. Hollis, 1958 R. Tom Joyner, Jr., circa 1959 William G. Cooper, Jr., 1960 Reuben H. Gibson, 1961 Morris J. Pritchard, 1962 William H. Lofton, 1963 R. Harold Grizzard, 1964 James R. West, 1965 Lois Q. Searl, 1965 John H. Woodall, Jr., 1966 W. Jack Day, 1967 George W. Trask, 1968, 1969, 1974 Marvin H. Henderson, Jr., 1970 Joe P. Ruthven, 1971 Charles E. Whitten, 1972 John S. Jackson, 1972, 1973 W. Carl Dicks, 1975 Peggy C. Brown, 1976, 1984 Charles A. Coleman, 1977 John Tolson, 1977 Curtis I. Walker, 1978 George R. Burt, 1979 Carrie R. Oldham, 1980 R. Larry Turnipseed, 1981 J. Larry Durrence, 1982, 1986 Frank J. O'Reilly, 1983, 1987, 1989 - 1993 Thomas R. Shaw, 1985 Willie J. Williams, 1988 Buddy Fletcher, 1993 - 2009 Gow Fields, 2010 - 2013 R. Howard Wiggs, 2014 - present Law enforcement Officers killed on duty Lakeland made national headlines on September 28, 2006, when Polk County Sheriff 's Deputy Vernon `` Matt '' Williams and his K - 9 partner Diogi were shot and killed after a routine traffic stop in the Wabash area of Lakeland. More than 500 police officers from a variety of law enforcement agencies joined in a search for Angilo Freeland, suspected of murdering Williams and then stealing his gun. Freeland was found hiding in a rural area the next morning. Nine officers from five different law enforcement agencies surrounded Freeland and shot him when he raised Williams ' stolen gun at them. A total of 110 shots were fired and Freeland was hit 68 times, killing him instantly. Multiple investigations concluded the officers ' use of force was justified. Deputy Williams and Diogi were laid to rest on October 3, 2006, after a funeral that included a one - hour - and - 45 - minute procession to Auburndale. On December 18, 2011, Lakeland Police Officer Arnulfo Crispin was shot and killed after he stopped five young men while on a routine patrol. Crispin was 25 years old, and an 18 - month veteran of the force. Kyle Williams was convicted of the killing and sentenced to life in prison. Police Canine Unit The Lakeland Police Department is recognized as having one of the best - trained canine units in the United States. At the annual USPCA Police Dog Field Trials -- the largest competition of police dogs in the United States -- Lakeland police dog `` Nox '' took first place in 2015, `` Bruno '' took first place in 2012 and 2013, and `` Charief '' took second place in 2009 and 2011. Misconduct In October 2010, Officer Rawn Haynes was arrested and charged with negligence for having left a weapon in a car with two young boys. One of the children found the gun and shot the other boy in the hand. Officer Haynes was suspended with pay after his arrest. In June 2011, Sergeant Steven Sealy was suspended from the department for reportedly interfering with the investigation of police Lieutenant Ralph Schrader. Schrader had been convicted in January 2010 of stalking his ex-wife. In July 2013, the county prosecutor released a report that `` revealed an extraordinary amount of sexual conduct that was committed both on - duty and off - duty '' with a single woman. As a result of the report, an assistant chief of the department retired while five officers were placed on various forms of modified duty. `` Had these members of your department been more focused on the important responsibilities of law enforcement, rather than pursuing sexual encounters with a civilian analyst, LPD might not be in the condition it is today '', the report concluded. Sergeants Rusty Longaberger and David Woolverton were fired for conduct unbecoming, failure to report misconduct, and neglect of duty. In late January 2014, the State Attorney 's Office investigated hiring practices in the department due to allegations of improper handling of the 2012 job application of the nephew of Chief Lisa Womack. The chief had already announced she would leave her position on May 1, 2014. She was placed on administrative leave in January 2014. One city councilman, Justin Troller, commented, `` Let 's pay her and move on. '' Demographics Historical population Census Pop. % ± 1890 552 -- 1900 1,180 113.8 % 1910 3,719 215.2 % 1920 7,062 89.9 % 1930 18,554 162.7 % 1940 22,068 18.9 % 1950 30,851 39.8 % 1960 41,350 34.0 % 1970 42,803 3.5 % 1980 47,406 10.8 % 70,576 48.9 % 2000 78,452 11.2 % 97,422 24.2 % Est. 2016 106,420 9.2 % U.S. Decennial Census Lakeland Demographics 2010 Census Lakeland Polk County Florida Total population 97,422 602,095 18,801,310 Population, percent change, 2000 to 2010 + 24.2 % + 24.4 % + 17.6 % Population density 1,492.6 / sq mi 334.9 / sq mi 350.6 / sq mi White or Caucasian ( including White Hispanic ) 70.8 % 75.2 % 75.0 % ( Non-Hispanic White or Caucasian ) 63.1 % 64.6 % 57.9 % Black or African - American 20.9 % 14.8 % 16.0 % Hispanic or Latino ( of any race ) 12.6 % 17.7 % 22.5 % Asian 1.8 % 1.6 % 2.4 % Native American or Native Alaskan 0.3 % 0.4 % 0.4 % Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian 0.1 % 0.1 % 0.1 % Two or more races ( Multiracial ) 2.7 % 2.4 % 2.5 % Some Other Race 2.6 % 5.5 % 3.6 % As of 2010, 48,218 households were in the city, with 15.5 % being vacant. As of 2000, 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 % were individuals and nontraditional families. About 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. As of the 2010 census, the city was 20.9 % Black or African American, 70.8 % White, 0.3 % Native American, 1.8 % Asian, 0.1 % Native Hawaiian, and 2.7 % were two or more races. 12.6 % of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry. In 2000, 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. In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $16,119, and for a family was $17,468. Males had a median income of $14,137 versus $9,771 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,760. About 47 % of families and 35 % of the population were below the poverty line, including 97 % of those under age 18 and 9 % of those age 65 or over. In 2008 -- 2012, the per capita income was $23,817 and the median household income was $40,284. Persons below the poverty line in 2008 -- 2012 were 17.5 % according to the US Census. Languages As of 2000, those who spoke only English at home accounted for 91 % of all residents, while 9 % spoke other languages at home. The most significant were Spanish speakers who made up 6.4 % of the population, while German came up as the third-most spoken language, which made up 0.8 %, and French was fourth, with 0.5 % of the population. Religion In 1913, the Wolfson family arrived from Lithuania and became the first Jewish settlers to the area. After some struggles, the Jewish community in Lakeland flourished and the first synagogue, Temple Emanuel opened in 1932. The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute presents classes and seminars in Lakewood in partnership with Chabad of Lakeland. Lakeland is home to one of the first Hindu temples in the United States, the Swaminarayan Hindu Temple. In 1994, the first and only mosque was established. It was called Masjid Aisha, but is now called the Islamic Center of Lakeland. It was remodeled in 2011. It is located on the corner of Providence and Orange Blossom. Christianity makes up the largest religious group in Lakeland. As of 2013, an estimated 300 churches existed with an address in the city. Economy Publix headquarters Lakeland is the largest city on Interstate 4 between Orlando and Tampa. Large industries in the Lakeland area are citrus, cattle, and phosphate mining. In the past few decades, tourism, medicine, insurance, transportation, and music have grown in importance. Citrus growing dates back to the early settlers who planted trees in the area in the 1850s. After a series of freezes in counties north of Polk County, the area became the focal point for citrus growing in Florida. Although citrus is no longer the largest industry in the area, it still plays a large part in the economy of Lakeland and Polk County. Phosphate mining is still important to the economy of Lakeland, although most of the mining now takes place further south. The Bone Valley produced 25 % of the U.S. phosphate supply. Lakeland 's largest employer is Publix Supermarkets. Publix is one of the largest regional grocery chains in the United States with over 1,000 stores across the American South. Publix employs over 6,500 people in the Lakeland area including headquarter and warehouse employees. Lakeland is a transportation hub. FedEx Freight and FedEx Services and the Saddle Creek Corporation employ over 600 people in the area. Other large employers in the area include Amazon, GEICO, Rooms To Go, and Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Culture Historic districts Munn Park Beacon Hill - Alta Vista Residential District Biltmore - Cumberland Historic District Dixieland Historic District East Lake Morton Residential District Lake Hunter Terrace Historic District Munn Park Historic District South Lake Morton Historic District Buildings and locations Century Plaza in downtown Lakeland. Frances Langford Promenade Central Avenue School Cleveland Court School John F. Cox Grammar School Florida Southern College Henley Field Ball Park Joker Marchant Stadium Frances Langford Promenade Lakeland Center Lakeland Square Mall Lakeside Village Old Lakeland High School James Henry Mills Medal of Honor Parkway Oates Building Polk Community College Polk Museum of Art Polk Theatre Southeastern University ( Florida ) USA International Speedway Florida Polytechnic University Winston School Without Walls Central Church - a local / regional megachurch Silvermoon Drive - in Media See also : List of newspapers in Florida, List of radio stations in Florida, and List of television stations in Florida Polk County is within the Tampa Bay television market. Charter Spectrum is the cable television franchise serving Lakeland, which offers most television stations from the Tampa Bay market, as well as WFTV, the ABC affiliate from Orlando. You also have Frontier as well. WMOR - TV, an independent television station, is licensed to Lakeland, with its studios in Tampa and its transmitter in Riverview. Lakeland and Polk County are within its own radio market. Local radio stations include : WLKF 1430 AM WONN 1230 AM WWAB 1330 AM WPCV 97.5 FM WWRZ 98.3 FM WLLD 94.1 FM is licensed to Lakeland, but has wider focus on the Tampa Bay area, with studios in St. Petersburg. WKES 91.1 FM is also licensed to Lakeland as part of the statewide Moody Radio Florida network, with studios in Seminole, near St. Petersburg. Most major stations from Tampa Bay and a few from Orlando are also available. Print media include The Ledger, a local newspaper owned by Halifax Media Group. Patterson Jacobs Media Group publishes a magazine, The Lakelander. Popular culture Southgate Shopping Center In 1990, Lakeland made its Hollywood debut when the Southgate Shopping Center was featured in the movie Edward Scissorhands. It was also used in the filming of the Judd Nelson movie Endure. Classrooms from Florida Southern College were used in the Adam Sandler comedy, The Waterboy. Transportation Because Lakeland is the largest city on Interstate 4 between Tampa and Orlando, the city is an important transportation hub. The county nickname, Imperial Polk County, was coined because a large bond issue in 1914 enabled wide roads between the cities of Polk County. The important freeways and highways in Lakeland today are : The Interstate 4 overpass in Lakeland ( exit 32 ) Interstate 4 is the main interstate in central Florida linking Tampa, Lakeland, Orlando, and Daytona Beach. Polk Parkway, or SR 570, is a tolled beltway around Lakeland, with both ends terminating at Interstate 4. Although its shape, location, and tolls makes it impractical as a `` bypass '' road, it is useful as a way of getting from part of town to another and providing access to I - 4 from most parts of the city. US 92, following Memorial Boulevard for most of the city, was the route leading to both Tampa and Orlando before I - 4 was built ; US 92 is still a main road leading to Plant City going west, and Auburndale, Winter Haven, and Haines City going east. US 98, going south, follows Bartow Road and leads to Bartow, the county seat. Heading north out of town, it provides a route to Dade City. State Road 33, following mostly rural land, provides access to Lake County and the Florida Turnpike. State Road 37, following Florida Avenue, the main north - south route in Lakeland, is also the main road leading south to Mulberry. State Road 540, Winter - Lake Road, is in southern Lakeland, leading to Winter Haven and Legoland Florida. Bicycle routes In recent years, the Lakeland area has developed a number of paved, multi-use bicycle routes including the Lake - To - Lakes Trail, which runs from Lake Parker through downtown, past several lakes, ending at Lake John. Other routes include University Trail, which connects Polk State College to Florida Polytechnic University, and the Fort Fraser Trail, which runs along US Highway 98 from Polk State College to Highway 60 in Bartow. Public transportation Lakeland Amtrak Station Lakeland Linder Regional Airport Lakeland Greyhound Terminal Citrus Connection local bus service. Education Annie Pfeiffer Chapel The 28 elementary schools, seven middle schools, five traditional high schools, and three magnet - choice high schools in the Lakeland area are run by the Polk County School Board. Traditional public high schools Mulberry Senior High School George W. Jenkins High School Kathleen High School Lake Gibson High School Lakeland Senior High School Tenoroc High School Magnet high schools Central Florida Aerospace Academy Lois Cowles Harrison Center for the Visual and Performing Arts Polk State College Lakeland Collegiate High School Traditional public middle schools Kathleen Middle School Lake Gibson Middle School Crystal Lake Middle school Sleepy Hill Middle School Lakeland Highlands Middle School Southwest Middle School Magnet middle schools Lawton Chiles Middle School Rochelle School of the Arts ( elementary and middle ) Charter schools McKeel Academy of Technology Lakeland Montessori Schoolhouse Lakeland Montessori Middle School Lakeland Collegiate High school Private schools Calvary Baptist Church Academy Geneva Classical Academy Heritage Christian Academy Highlands Christian Academy Lakeland Christian School Resurrection Catholic School Santa Fe Catholic High School Sonrise Christian School St Anthony St Joseph St Lukes St Paul Lutheran School Victory Christian Academy Colleges and universities Everest University Florida Polytechnic Florida Southern College Florida Technical College Keiser University Webster University Polk State College Southeastern University Whitefield Theological Seminary A number of opportunities exist for higher education around the Lakeland area. Southeastern University is the largest university in the area, with an enrollment around 2800. Southeastern is affiliated with the Assemblies of God. Florida Southern College, established in 1883 and with a current enrollment of just over 2000, is located on Lake Hollingsworth. Florida Southern is the home of the world 's largest single - site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. In July 2008, the University of South Florida 's Lakeland campus was granted partial autonomy by Governor Charlie Crist and became Florida Polytechnic University. Florida Polytechnic ( FLPoly ) is located just inside the Lakeland 's northeast border at the intersection of I - 4 and Polk Parkway. They also have some administrative offices on the campus of Polk State College on Winter Lake Road. FLPoly is focused on STEM degree programs, such as engineering and computer science. Both Everest University and Keiser University, two multisite, accredited universities, have locations in Lakeland. Traviss Career Center is a vocational school. Webster University offers on - site, regionally accredited graduate degree programs in business and counseling at their Lakeland Metropolitan Campus Sports Club Sport Founded Current League Stadium Lakeland Flying Tigers Baseball 1963 Florida State League Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium Gulf Coast League Tigers Baseball 1995 Gulf Coast League Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium Lakeland Magic Basketball 2008 NBA G League RP Funding Center Florida Tarpons Indoor football 2012 American Arena League RP Funding Center Southeastern Fire Football 2014 NAIA Victory Field Florida Tropics SC Indoor soccer 2016 Major Arena Soccer League RP Funding Center Stadiums Main article : Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium Joker Marchant Stadium, north of downtown, hosts spring training for the Detroit Tigers, as well as their Lakeland Flying Tigers class - A Florida State League and GCL Tigers rookie - league Gulf Coast League minor league baseball teams. Main article : RP Funding Center RP Funding Center is also home to three indoor sports teams. The Lakeland Magic is a basketball team playing in the NBA G League and is an affiliate of the Orlando Magic. The Florida Tarpons is an indoor football team playing in the American Arena League after relocating from Estero, Florida. The Florida Tropics SC is an indoor soccer team playing in the Major Arena Soccer League. The Tropics organization also operates an outdoor team, the Lakeland Tropics, which competes in the Premier Development League. History of sports teams in Lakeland In the 1980s, the Lakeland Center briefly played host to the indoor version of the Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer team. The Lakeland Center has also hosted a few hockey teams, the Lakeland Ice Warriors, the Lakeland Prowlers, and the Lakeland Loggerheads. The United States Basketball League once had a team here as well called the Lakeland Blue Ducks. Sun ' n Fun was home to Lakeland 's only roller derby league, the Lakeland Derby Dames ; however, the team was dissolved in November 2015. The Lakeland Center also hosts the Florida High School Athletic Association 's state basketball finals. Sister cities See also : List of sister cities in the United States Bălți, Moldova Chongming County, Shanghai, China Imabari, Ehime, Ehime, Japan Portmore, Jamaica Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada See also Florida portal List of people from Lakeland, Florida Loyce Harpe Park References Jump up ^ `` 2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files ''. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Jul 7, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Annual Estimates of the population for the Incorporated Places of Florida ''. US Census Bureau. Archived from the original ( XLS ) on May 8, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2007. ^ Jump up to : `` Population and Housing Unit Estimates ''. Retrieved June 9, 2017. Jump up ^ `` American FactFinder ''. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008. Jump up ^ `` US Board on Geographic Names ''. United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008. ^ Jump up to : Federal Writers ' Project 1939. ^ Jump up to : `` Lakeland ''. Viva Florida : History Happened Here. Tallahassee : Florida League of Cities. Retrieved April 21, 2017. Jump up ^ Florida Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations ( 2001 ), Overview of Municipal Incorporations in Florida ( PDF ), LCIR Report, Tallahassee, Archived from the original on April 28, 2017 CS1 maint : BOT : original - url status unknown ( link ) ^ Jump up to : Hellmann 2006. ^ Jump up to : `` Population of Cities and Towns '', Census of the State of Florida... 1905, Tallahassee : Capital Pub. Co. ^ Jump up to : `` US Newspaper Directory ''. Chronicling America. Washington DC : Library of Congress. Retrieved April 21, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Lakeland Public Library. `` Lakeland Timeline ''. City of Lakeland. Retrieved April 21, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Movie Theaters in Lakeland, FL ''. CinemaTreasures.org. Los Angeles : Cinema Treasures LLC. Retrieved April 21, 2017. Jump up ^ `` History ''. Junior League of Greater Lakeland. Retrieved April 21, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` United States AM Stations : Florida '', Yearbook of Radio and Television, New York : Radio Television Daily, 1964, OCLC 7469377 -- via Internet Archive Jump up ^ American Association for State and Local History ( 2002 ). `` Florida ''. Directory of Historical Organizations in the United States and Canada ( 15th ed. ). ISBN 0759100020. Jump up ^ `` Lakeland.net ''. Archived from the original on January 9, 1998 -- via Internet Archive, Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ Kevin Hyde ; Tamie Hyde ( eds. ). `` United States of America : Florida ''. Official City Sites. Utah. OCLC 40169021. Archived from the original on August 24, 2000. Jump up ^ `` Lakeland city, Florida ''. QuickFacts. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved April 21, 2017. Jump up ^ Florida Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research ; U.S. Census Bureau ( 2011 ), `` City of Lakeland '', 2010 Census Detailed City Profiles Jump up ^ Civic Impulse, LLC. `` Members of Congress ''. GovTrack. Washington DC. Retrieved April 21, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Howard Wiggs defeats Gow Field in race for Lakeland mayor '', WFTS, E.W. Scripps Co., November 5, 2013 ^ Jump up to : `` Ancient Native ''. HOTOA. Archived from the original on October 17, 2010. Retrieved September 9, 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` Polk County History ''. Polk Counjty Historical Association. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved September 11, 2010. Jump up ^ `` The Ancient Ones ''. HOTOA. Archived from the original on October 17, 2010. Retrieved September 9, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Weibel, B. `` Trail of Florida 's Ancient Heritage ''. active.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2010. Retrieved September 9, 2010. Jump up ^ Sawyer, Martha F. ( July 8, 1987 ). `` Polk towns named from various sources ''. Lakeland Ledger. pp. 5C. Retrieved June 6, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Spanish American War '' ( PDF ). Polk County Historical Quarterly. Polk County Historical Association. June 2003. p. 6. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on April 2, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` Frank Lloyd Wright 's Fla. campus - The Boston Globe ''. www.bostonglobe.com. Retrieved 2017 - 04 - 01. ^ Jump up to : MacDonald, Randall M. ; Galbraith, Nora E. ; Rogers, James G. ( 2007 - 01 - 01 ). The Buildings of Frank Lloyd Wright at Florida Southern College. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738552798. Jump up ^ Sussingham, Robin. `` New Frank Lloyd Wright House Constructed at Florida Southern ''. Retrieved 2017 - 04 - 01. Jump up ^ Storrer, William Allin ; Wright, Frank Lloyd ( 2002 - 04 - 15 ). The Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright : A Complete Catalog. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 9780226776224. ^ Jump up to : LEDGER, GARY WHITE THE. `` Flight Cadets Attended Lakeland School of Aeronautics ''. The Ledger. Retrieved 2017 - 04 - 01. Jump up ^ `` Florida 's Geological History ''. University of Florida. Retrieved October 14, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Measurement of Recovery in Lakes Following Phosphate Mining '' ( PDF ). Florida Institute of Phosphate Research. Retrieved February 4, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Frequently Asked Questions ''. Lakeland, Florida. Retrieved February 4, 2014. Jump up ^ Diane Lacey Allen ( June 23, 2006 ). `` ' The Lake is Dry ' ''. The Ledger. Retrieved November 25, 2007. Jump up ^ `` Florida Lake Swallowed by Sinkhole Reappearing ''. Associated Press. July 25, 2006. Retrieved November 25, 2007. Jump up ^ `` World Map of the Köppen - Geiger climate classification updated ''. University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna. November 6, 2008. Archived from the original on September 6, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010. Jump up ^ http://www.nws.noaa.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=mlb ^ Jump up to : Lawrence Kestenbaum ( ed. ). `` Mayors of Lakeland, Florida ''. Political Graveyard. Retrieved April 21, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Clonts Chosen as Mayor '' ( PDF ), Lakeland Evening Telegram, November 8, 1911 -- via Library of Congress Jump up ^ `` City Government ''. Lakeland and Polk County Directory. R.L. Polk & Co. 1923 -- via Internet Archive. Jump up ^ `` Howard Wiggs defeats Gow Field in race for Lakeland mayor '', WFTS, E.W. Scripps Co., November 5, 2013 Jump up ^ Waddell, Lynn ( October 13, 2006 ). `` 68 Bullets ''. Newsweek. Jump up ^ `` Autopsy : Officers fired 110 rounds at man suspected in cop 's death ''. Sunbeam Television Corp. September 30, 2006. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Jump up ^ Walter, Shoshana ( June 5, 2008 ). `` Killer 's Civil Rights Not Violated, Panel Says ''. TheLedger.com. Jump up ^ Stegall, Sarah ( October 4, 2006 ). `` Thousands Turn Out to Say ' Thank You ' ''. TheLedger.com. Jump up ^ Dulaney, Cody ( August 26, 2014 ). `` Judge Sentences Kyle Williams to Life in Prison for Murder of LPD Officer Crispin ''. The Ledger. Jump up ^ `` USPCA National Field Trials '' ( PDF ). United States Police Canine Association. Jump up ^ `` 2013 National Patrol Dog Field Trials '' ( PDF ). United States Police Canine Association. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on February 1, 2014. Jump up ^ `` National 2011 USPCA Police Dog Field Trials '' ( PDF ). United States Police Canine Association. Jump up ^ LPD Officer Arrested, Suspended, The Ledger, October 21, 2010 Jump up ^ Police Sgt. Sealey Suspended Over Schrader Inquiry, by Jason Geary, The Ledger, June 10, 2011 Jump up ^ Florida police officers entangled in widespread sex scandal, Associated Press, July 10, 2013 Jump up ^ Two Lakeland police sergeants fired in wake of major sex scandal, by Chris Trenkmann, July 15, 2013, WFTS Jump up ^ LPD Chief Lisa Womack Put on Administrative Leave ; Police chief suspended after report about her nephew 's job search at LPD is released, by Jeremy Maready & Rick Rousos, January 31, 2014, The Ledger Jump up ^ `` Census of Population and Housing ''. Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Lakeland ( city ) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau ''. census.gov. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2014. Jump up ^ Modern Language Association Data Center Results of Lakeland, Florida. Jump up ^ `` First Jewish Settlers '' ( PDF ). Polk County Historical Association. October 2002. p. 1. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on July 27, 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Temple Emanuel History '' ( PDF ). Billy. October 2002. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on July 27, 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2010. Jump up ^ Steve, Steiner ( August 2015 ). `` Two - part seminar to examine torture, negotiating ''. The Polk County Democrat. Jump up ^ `` Religion in Polk ''. Lakeland. Retrieved September 26, 2010. Jump up ^ name = `` Counting Lakeland 's Churches '' `` Churches in Lakeland, FL ''. Retrieved December 2, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Lakeland Demographics Guide 2010 '' ( PDF ). City of Lakeland. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on January 5, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2010. Jump up ^ Brinkman, Paul ( August 21, 2014 ). `` Amazon welcomes employees in Lakeland ; drones in India ? ''. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 20, 2016. Jump up ^ `` LAKELAND, FL AREA MAJOR EMPLOYERS '' ( PDF ). Lakeland Development Council. Retrieved November 20, 2016. Jump up ^ White, Gary ( March 3, 2009 ). `` Lakeland Filmmakers Snag Judd Nelson ''. TheLedger.com. Jump up ^ Erickson, Stephanie ( October 13, 2005 ). `` Have any movies been filmed in Polk County ? ''. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 25, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Why Imperial Polk ''. Polk County Website. Archived from the original on November 29, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Trails and Facilities ''. Retrieved April 5, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Citrus Connection ''. ridecitrus.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Southeastern University ''. cappex.com. Retrieved March 12, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Florida Southern College ''. US News and World Report. Retrieved March 12, 2014. Jump up ^ `` About Florida Polytechnic University ''. Florida Polytechnic University. Retrieved January 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Traviss Career Center Lakeland, Florida ''. Traviss.edu. Retrieved November 1, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Lakeland ''. webster.edu. Retrieved December 10, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Club Information ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Club Information ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Orlando Magic begin process of bringing D - League team to Florida ''. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved August 4, 2017. Jump up ^ `` This is what a program 's first home game ever should look like ''. FootballScoop.com. Retrieved August 4, 2017. Jump up ^ `` http://www.fltropics.com/news/florida-tropics-sc-join-major-arena-soccer-league ''. FLTropics.com. Retrieved August 4, 2017. External link in title = ( help ) Jump up ^ `` Roller derby is back in Lakeland ''. TheLedger.com. Retrieved August 4, 2017. Bibliography `` Lakeland ''. Florida Gazetteer and Business Directory 1907 - 1908. R.L. Polk & Co. `` Lakeland ''. Florida State Gazetteer and Business Directory. R.L. Polk & Co. 1918. Lakeland and Polk County Directory. R.L. Polk & Co. 1923. Federal Writers ' Project ( 1939 ). `` Lakeland ''. Florida : a Guide to the Southernmost State. American Guide Series. New York : Oxford University Press. pp. 515 -- 518 -- via Google Books. This Was Yesterday : a History of Lakeland, Florida. Junior Welfare League of Greater Lakeland. 1973. Hampton Dunn ( 1976 ). Yesterday 's Lakeland. Lynn M. Homan ; Thomas Reilly ( 2001 ). Lakeland. Images of America. Charleston, South Carolina : Arcadia. Paul T. Hellmann ( 2006 ). `` Florida : ''. Historical Gazetteer of the United States. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 1 - 135 - 94859 - 3. External links Find more aboutat Wikipedia 's sister projects Media from Wikimedia Commons Travel guide from Wikivoyage Official website Lakeland Chamber of Commerce The Ledger newspaper `` Brief History of Lakeland, Florida '' ( PDF ), Lakelandgov.net `` ( Lakeland ) ''. Florida Memory. Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services. Items related to Lakeland, Florida, various dates ( via Digital Public Library of America ) Municipalities and communities of Polk County, Florida, United States County seat : Bartow Cities Auburndale Bartow Davenport Eagle Lake Fort Meade Frostproof Haines City Lake Alfred Lakeland Lake Wales Mulberry Polk City Winter Haven Towns Dundee Hillcrest Heights Lake Hamilton Village Highland Park CDPs Alturas Babson Park Bradley Junction Brewster Combee Settlement Crooked Lake Park Crystal Lake Cypress Gardens Four Corners ‡ Fuller Heights Fussels Corner Grenelefe Highland City Homeland Inwood Jan Phyl Village Kathleen Lakeland Highlands Loughman Medulla Poinciana ‡ Wahneta Waverly Willow Oak Unincorporated communities Eaton Park Gibsonia Indian Lake Estates Lakeshore Mountain Lake Nalcrest Nichols Pittsburg River Ranch Socrum Winston Ghost town Acton Footnotes ‡ This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties Tampa Bay Area Topics Tampa Bay Climate History Media Sports Tampa International Airport Hillsborough County Public Schools Pinellas County Schools University of South Florida Central cities Tampa St. Petersburg Clearwater Smaller communities Pinellas Park Temple Terrace Brandon Zephyrhills Plant City Largo Dunedin Tarpon Springs Lutz Sun City Center Counties in MSA Hernando Hillsborough Pasco Pinellas See also : Florida State of Florida Tallahassee ( capital ) Topics Climate Delegations Environment Geography Geology Government History Law Media Newspapers Radio TV State parks Tourist attractions Transportation Seal of Florida Society Floridians Culture Crime Demographics Economy Education Politics Sports Regions Big Bend Central Florida Emerald Coast First Coast Florida Heartland Florida Keys Florida Panhandle Forgotten Coast Glades Gold Coast Halifax area Nature Coast North Central Florida North Florida South Florida Southwest Florida Space Coast Suncoast Tampa Bay Area Treasure Coast Metro areas Cape Coral -- Fort Myers Deltona -- Daytona Beach -- Ormond Beach Fort Walton Beach -- Crestview -- Destin Gainesville Jacksonville Lakeland -- Winter Haven Miami -- Fort Lauderdale -- Pompano Beach Naples -- Marco Island North Port -- Bradenton -- Sarasota Ocala Orlando -- Kissimmee -- Sanford Palm Bay -- Melbourne -- Titusville West Palm Beach - Boca Raton Panama City -- Lynn Haven -- Panama City Beach Pensacola -- Ferry Pass -- Brent Port St. Lucie Punta Gorda Sebastian -- Vero Beach Tallahassee Tampa - St. Petersburg -- Clearwater Largest cities Jacksonville Miami Tampa Orlando St. Petersburg Hialeah Tallahassee Port St. Lucie Fort Lauderdale West Palm Beach Cape Coral Pembroke Pines Hollywood Counties Alachua Baker Bay Bradford Brevard Broward Calhoun Charlotte Citrus Clay Collier Columbia DeSoto Dixie Duval Escambia Flagler Franklin Gadsden Gilchrist Glades Gulf Hamilton Hardee Hendry Hernando Highlands Hillsborough Holmes Indian River Jackson Jefferson Lafayette Lake Lee Leon Levy Liberty Madison Manatee Marion Martin Miami ‐ Dade Monroe Nassau Okaloosa Okeechobee Orange Osceola Palm Beach Pasco Pinellas Polk Putnam Santa Rosa Sarasota Seminole St. Johns St. Lucie Sumter Suwannee Taylor Union Volusia Wakulla Walton Washington Former Counties Mosquito Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lakeland,_Florida&oldid=819040290 '' Categories : Cities in Polk County, Florida Lakeland, Florida Populated places established in 1884 Cities in Florida 1884 establishments in Florida Hidden categories : CS1 maint : BOT : original - url status unknown CS1 errors : external links Use mdy dates from March 2017 Coordinates on Wikidata All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from April 2017 Articles with unsourced statements from November 2011 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Wikivoyage Languages تۆرکجه Bân - lâm - gú Català Cebuano Dansk Deutsch Español Euskara فارسی Français 한국어 Ido Italiano Kreyòl ayisyen Magyar Nederlands नेपाल भाषा 日本 語 Norsk Oʻzbekcha / ўзбекча Polski Português Русский Simple English Ślůnski Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Svenska Türkçe Українська اردو Tiếng Việt Volapük Winaray 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 7 January 2018, at 02 : 00. 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Question: where is lakeland on the map of florida
Answer: located along Interstate 4 east of Tampa