Polk County, Florida

Polk County is a county in Florida. The population of the county is 602,095. It is home to the headquarters of Publix, located in Lakeland. Polk is also Florida's fourth-largest county by land area.
Polk County 	Florida
Founded 	February 8, 1861
Named for 	James K. Polk
County seat 	Bartow
Largest city 	Lakeland
Population 	602,095
Habitat 	Farmland, Swampland, Urban
Cong. Districts 	9th, 15th, 17th
County Guildmaster	Bradley Newman
Time Zone 	Eastern (UTC -5/-4)
== Major roads ==
Interstate 4
US Route 17
US Route 27
US Route 92
US Route 98
Florida State Road 17
Florida State Road 33
Florida State Road 35
Florida State Road 37
Florida State Road 60
Florida State Road 471
Florida State Road 539
Florida State Road 540
Florida State Road 542
Florida State Road 544
Florida State Road 546
Florida State Road 548
Florida State Road 549
Florida State Road 559
Florida State Road 563
Florida State Road 570
Florida State Road 572
Florida State Road 620
Florida State Road 655
Florida State Road 659
Florida State Road 674
Florida State Road 700
== Geography ==
=== Adjacent counties ===
Osceola County (east)
Lake County (north)
Pasco County (northwest)
Sumter County (north-northwest)
Hardee County (south)
Highlands County and Okeechobee County (southeast)
Manatee County (southwest)
Hillsborough County (west)
== Demographics ==
As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the racial composition of the county is:
62.35% White (375,406)
19.84% Hispanic or Latino (119,455)
14.55% Black or African American (87,604)
3.26% Other (19,630)
15.8% (95,131) of Polk County residents live below the poverty line.
== Theft rate statistics ==
A more accurate tally can be given once all cities are done.
== Pokemon ==
Pokemon 	Location 	Rate
Squirtle 	Farmland, Swampland	1-55%, 1-75%
Wartortle 	Farmland, Swampland	1-40%, 1-58%
Blastoise 	Farmland, Swampland	1-25%, 1-38%
Rattata 	Farmland, Swampland	1-40%, 1-40%
Raticate 	Farmland, Swampland	1-25%, 1-25%
Ekans 	Farmland, Swampland	1-40%, 1-60%
Arbok 	Farmland, Swampland	1-23%, 1-40%
Pikachu 	Farmland 	1-29%
Raichu 	Farmland 	1-14%
Sandshrew 	Farmland 	1-39%
Sandslash 	Farmland 	1-29%
NidoranF/NidoranM	Farmland 	1-30%
Nidorina/Nidorino	Farmland 	1-15%
Vulpix 	Farmland 	1-4%
Psyduck 	Farmland 	1-40%
Golduck 	Farmland 	1-15%
Poliwag 	Farmland, Swampland	1-62%, 1-78%
Poliwhirl 	Farmland, Swampland	1-46%, 1-61%
Poliwrath 	Farmland, Swampland	1-26%, 1-40%
Eevee 	Farmland 	1-15%
Vaporeon 	Farmland 	1-15%
Jolteon 	Farmland 	1-5%
Flareon 	Farmland 	1-5%
Dratini 	Farmland 	1-45%
Dragonair 	Farmland 	1-25%
Dragonite 	Farmland 	1-5%
Cyndaquil 	Farmland 	1-20%
Quilava 	Farmland 	1-7%
Totodile 	Farmland, Swampland	1-62%, 1-83%
Croconaw 	Farmland, Swampland	1-45%, 1-64%
Feraligatr 	Farmland, Swampland	1-25%, 1-42%
Pichu 	Farmland 	1-22%
Mareep 	Farmland 	1-24%
Flaaffy 	Farmland 	1-14%
Ampharos 	Farmland 	1%
Marill 	Farmland, Swampland	1-75%, 1-55%
Azumarill 	Farmland, Swampland	1-60%, 1-40%
Politoed 	Farmland, Swampland	1-26%, 1-40%
Wooper 	Farmland, Swampland	1-50%, 1-75%
Quagsire 	Farmland, Swampland	1-35%, 1-57%
Espeon 	Farmland 	1-5%
Umbreon 	Farmland 	1-5%
Elekid 	Farmland 	1-18%
Mudkip 	Farmland, Swampland	1-75%, 1-85%
Marshtomp 	Farmland, Swampland	1-60%, 1-68%
Swampert 	Farmland, Swampland	1-38%, 1-45%
Lotad 	Farmland, Swampland	1-55%, 1-70%
Lombre 	Farmland, Swampland	1-36%, 1-49%
Ludicolo 	Farmland, Swampland	1-15%, 1-25%
Surskit 	Swampland 	1-75%
Masquerain 	Swampland 	1-55%
Azurill 	Farmland, Swampland	1-68%, 1-48%
Electrike 	Farmland 	1-27%
Manectric 	Farmland 	1-12%
Plusle/Minun 	Farmland 	1-29%
Zangoose 	Farmland 	1-20%
Seviper 	Farmland, Swampland	1-30%, 1-45%
Shinx 	Farmland 	1-31%
Luxio 	Farmland 	1-20%
Luxray 	Farmland 	1-8%
Pachirisu 	Farmland 	1-22%
Buizel 	Farmland 	1-70%
Floatzel 	Farmland 	1-45%
Shellos 	Swampland 	1-69%
Gastrodon 	Swampland 	1-47%
Croagunk 	Farmland, Swampland	1-49%, 1-86%
Toxicroak 	Farmland, Swampland	1-33%, 1-59%
Leafeon 	Farmland 	1-5%
Glaceon 	Farmland 	1-5%
Oshawott 	Farmland 	1-50%
Dewott 	Farmland 	1-35%
Samurott 	Farmland 	1-15%
Tympole 	Swampland 	1-95%
Palpitoad 	Farmland, Swampland	1-84%, 1-87%
Seismitoad 	Farmland, Swampland	1-59%, 1-62%
Venipede 	Swampland 	1-50%
Whirlipede 	Swampland 	1-35%
Scolipede 	Swampland 	1-10%
Deerling 	Farmland 	1-34%
Sawsbuck 	Farmland 	1-19%
Emolga 	Farmland 	1-28%
Tynamo 	Swampland 	1-59%
Eelektrik 	Swampland 	1-34%
Eelektross 	Swampland 	1-14%
Stunfisk 	Swampland 	1-25%
Froakie 	Farmland, Swampland	1-68%, 1-83%
Frogadier 	Farmland, Swampland	1-48%, 1-63%
Greninja 	Farmland, Swampland	1-23%, 1-38%
Skiddo 	Farmland 	1-12%
Helioptile 	Farmland 	1-28%
Heliolisk 	Farmland 	1-13%
Sylveon 	Farmland 	1-5%
Dedenne 	Farmland 	1-23%
Goomy 	Swampland 	1-55%
Sliggoo 	Swampland 	1-30%
Goodra 	Swampland 	1-12%
Popplio 	Farmland 	1-40%
Brionne 	Farmland 	1-25%
Primarina 	Farmland 	1-5%
Mareanie 	Swampland 	1-45%
Toxapex 	Swampland 	1-20%
Dewpider 	Farmland, Swampland	1-30%, 1-60%
Araquanid 	Farmland, Swampland	1-12%, 1-42%
Wimpod 	Swampland 	1-35%
Golisopod 	Swampland 	1-12%
Togedemaru 	Farmland 	1-31%
== Communities ==
=== Cities ===
Auburndale - 13,507
Bartow - 17,298
Davenport - 2,888
Eagle Lake - 2,255
Fort Meade - 5,626
Frostproof - 2,992
Haines City - 20,535
Lake Alfred - 5,015
Lakeland - 97,422
Lake Wales - 14,225
Mulberry - 3,817
Winter Haven - 33,874
=== Towns ===
Dundee - 3,717
Hillcrest Heights - 254
Lake Hamilton - 1,231
Polk City - 1,562
=== Villages ===
Highland Park - 230
=== CDPs ===
Alturas - 4,185
Babson Park - 1,356
Bradley Junction - 686
Brewster - 3
Combee Settlement - 5,577
Crooked Lake Park - 1,722
Crystal Lake - 5,514
Cypress Gardens - 8,917
Fuller Heights - 8,758
Fussels Corner - 5,561
Greneleafe - 1,752
Highland City - 10,834
Homeland - 366
Inwood - 6,403
Jan Phyl Village - 5,573
Kathleen - 6,332
Lakeland Highlands - 11,056
Loughman - 2,680
Medulla - 8,892
Wahneta - 5,091
Waverly - 767
Willow Oak - 6,732
=== Unincorporated communities ===
Agricola
Eaton Park
Gibsonia
Indian Lake Estates
Lakeshore
Mountain Lake
Nalcrest
Nichols
Pittsburg
River Ranch
Socrum
Winston
=== Ghost towns ===
Acton
Sumica
== Climate ==
Stats 	Amount
Average yearly rainfall 	52 inches
Average yearly snowfall 	0 inches
Average yearly sunny days	239
Severe storm risk 	7 (High)
Tornado risk 	5 (Moderate)
Blizzard risk 	0 (Nonexistant)
== Fun facts ==
* Politically, Polk County is solidly Republican in most elections.
* Since the late 20th century, growth in Polk County has been driven by its proximity to both the Tampa and Orlando metropolitan areas along the Interstate 4 corridor. Recent growth has been heaviest in Lakeland (closest to Tampa) and the Northeast areas near Haines City (nearest to Orlando). From 1990 to 2000, unincorporated areas grew 25%, while incorporated areas grew only 11%. In addition to cottage communities that have developed for commuters, Haines City has suburban sprawl into unincorporated areas. Despite the impressive growth rate, the unemployment rate of Polk has typically been higher than that of the entire state. For example, in August 2010, the county had an unemployment rate of 13.4%, compared to 11.7% for the entire state.
* No exception with many others parts of Florida, the county's rural areas are very popular with trainers, coordinators and performers alike.
* The first Pokemon contest in Florida's history was held in Polk City in 1804 (long before it existed).
* The last measurable snow in the county fell in 1977, but snow flurries and sleet fell on January 8, 2010 over the course of an hour on an exceptionally cold day.
* Florida's Natural also has its headquarters in the county, in Lake Wales.
* Professional baseball, especially major league spring training, was historically a major generator of tourist traffic for Polk County. Today, however, only the Detroit Tigers remain for spring training. Additionally the Class A-Advanced Lakeland Flying Tigers play in Joker Marchant Stadium after spring training.
** Professional basketball made its debut in 2017 when The Lakeland Magic took the court in its home venue, RP Funding Center. The team is the NBA G League developmental affiliate of the NBA's Orlando Magic.
* From 1964 through the 1970s, Hurricane Aircats, military airboats used by the US Army in Vietnam, were manufactured in Lake Hamilton. The airboats were made by Hurricane Fiberglass Products Company, an airboat and fiberglass manufacturer based in the neighboring town of Auburndale.
* Most of the CDPs in the county are extensions of incorporated cities.
* Highland Park is situated on the northern shores of Lake Easy.
* In 1917, the Lakeside Club was built on the south shore of Crooked Lake. A year later, this club burnt to the ground and was rebuilt and named the Hillcrest Lodge. This lodge was well known and many celebrities stayed there including Bobby Jones, Babe Ruth and William Jennings Bryan.
* Much of River Ranch is occupied by the Westgate River Ranch Resort, a cowboy-themed resort. There is an ownership RV park adjacent to the resort, though it has no affiliation with Westgate. Resort amenities include a golf course, petting zoo, outdoor activities such as fishing and horseback riding, a restaurant and convenience store, and cabins.
** River Ranch is also a trailhead for the Florida Trail, which can be accessed through the Kicco Wildlife Management Area.
* Polk County has the highest Oshawott evolutionary family encounter rate of all counties in Florida that don't border the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean.
Category:Florida Counties