Winter Haven, Florida

Winter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida. The population of the city is 33,874. It is home to Legoland Florida, The Florida Water-Type Museum, and has 50 lakes within its border, including its famous Chain of Lakes. The lakes are by far the city's most distinctive feature. The city has two prominent chains of lakes; the northern chain has nine lakes interconnected by a series of canals.[26] The southern chain features sixteen lakes interconnected by a series of canals. The southern chain has several prominent lakes, including Lake Eloise, Lake Howard, and Lake Lulu. In 2011, after six years of construction and political infighting, Winter Haven opened a canal lock system connecting the two chains. Most of the lakes in Winter Haven formed in a similar fashion to sinkholes, through dissolving of the limestone ground. These types of lakes are called "solution lakes". The lakes in Winter Haven teem with life, including Feraligatrs, bald eagles, Swannas, and more. The Winter Haven lakes are also a world-renowned spot for bass fishing.
Winter Haven 	Florida
Incorporated 	November 27, 1923
Nickname 	The Chain of Lakes City
County 	Polk
Population 	33,874
Elevation 	167 ft (51 m)
Mayor 	Skye Sutton
City Guildmaster	Jason Thompson
ZIP codes 	33839, 33877, 33880-33885, 33888
== Demographics ==
As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the racial composition of the city is:
56.20% White (19,037)
28.18% Black or African American (9,545)
12.12% Hispanic or Latino (4,105)
3.50% Other (1,187)
16.8% (5,690) of Winter Haven residents live below the poverty line.
== Theft rate statistics ==
Winter Haven has average rates of Pokemon theft and murder. The city reported 31 Pokemon thefts in 2019, and averages 1.96 murders a year.
== Pokemon ==
See the Polk County page for more info.
== Fun facts ==
* Winter Haven's name was a suggestion in reference to the area's pleasant climate. Before that, it was named Harris Corners.
* Winter Haven has an Amtrak train station served by the Silver Star and Silver Meteor.
* Country singer Jim Stafford is from Winter Haven, and so is country pop singer Jake Owen
* Winter Haven has more trainers' Ice-type Pokemon per capita than anywhere else in Florida.
* Winter Haven featured many buildings designed by Gene Leedy, one of the founders of the Sarasota School of Architecture. Regency Medical Center, which is Winter Haven Hospital's women's hospital, was built in 1987.
* The city is home to Polk State College.
* Winter Haven was a Major League Baseball Spring Training site for many years, first at Denison Field and later at Chain of Lakes Park. Great baseball players who played spring training baseball in Winter Haven included Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Johnny Bench, and Hank Aaron.
* Winter Haven has a decent amount of amenities to offer. It has dollar stores, Gilbert Airport, a few contest halls and showcase theaters, Nintendo World, CVS, Publix, Home Depot, Solstice Apparel, plenty of public battle fields, some sports complexes, Lowe's, Walmart, some fast food and a little bit of chain restaurants, some local restaurants and businesses, a bit of auto parts places and car dealerships, Cypresswood Golf and Country Club, a few movie theaters, Grove Roots Brewing Company, Buffet City, Harborside, Old Man's Frank, Caribbean One Stop, Giovanni's New York Pizza, Ovation Bistro & Bar, The Krazy Greek, Manny's Chophouse, Aldi, Sakura Japanese Steakhouse, Tanners Lakeside Restaurant & Bar, The Twisted Teapot, Jessie's, and a few other things.
Category:Florida Cities