About Lakeland Florida

Lakeland is a city located in Polk County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 78,452. Accoding to the 2004 U.S. Census Bureau's Estimates, the city had a population of 88,357. As of 2005, the population is approaching 90,000.

Located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4, Lakeland was first settled in the 1870s, and developed as the railroad reached the area in 1884. Lakeland is home to Florida Southern College, the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world, and one of the first Hindu temples in the United States. Publix supermarkets are also based here.

With a 15,000-student, four-year University of South Florida campus in the planning stages, Lakeland is expected to flourish with new educational and cultural opportunities. The city is the spring training home of the Detroit Tigers

In 2004, the inland Lakeland was lashed by Hurricane Charley, Hurricane Jeanne and (to a lesser extent) Hurricane Frances.

Lakeland is the "twin city" of Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.

Lakeland Florida Geography and Demographics

Lakeland is located at 28°2'28" North, 81°57'32" West (28.041248, -81.958978)GR1. Lakeland is 141 ft above sea level.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 133.3 km² (51.5 mi²). 118.7 km² (45.8 mi²) of it is land and 14.5 km² (5.6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 10.90% water.

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there are 78,452 people, 33,509 households, and 20,373 families residing in the city. The population density is 660.8/km² (1,711.3/mi²). There are 38,980 housing units at an average density of 328.3/km² (850.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 73.52% White, 21.26% African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.34% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.76% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. 6.41% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 33,509 households out of which 23.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% are married couples living together, 13.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% are non-families. 32.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.23 and the average family size is 2.82.

In the city the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $33,119, and the median income for a family is $40,468. Males have a median income of $32,137 versus $23,771 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,760. 15.0% of the population and 10.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 24.2% of those under the age of 18 and 9.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

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