Editing Polk County, Florida

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county          = Polk County
 | state               = Florida
 | ex image             = Bartow crths new01.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Polk County courthouse in Bartow
 | ex image size        = 300px
 | flag                 = Flag of Polk County, Florida.svg
 | seal                 = Seal of Polk County, Florida.svg
 | logo                 = Logo of Polk County, Florida.svg
 | seal size            = 100px
 | founded year         = 1861
 | founded date     = February 8
 | seat wl              = Bartow
 | largest city wl    = Lakeland
 | area codes           = 863
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 2011
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 1798
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 213
 | area percentage      = 10.6
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 725046
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 818330 {{gain}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | web                  = www.polk-county.net
 | district             = 11th
 | district2            = 15th
 | district3            = 18th
 | time zone           = Eastern
 | named for            = [[James K. Polk]] }}

'''Polk County''' ({{IPAc-en|p|ou|k}}) is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[Central Florida|central]] portion of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Florida]]. The county population was 725,046, as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], and estimated to be 818,330, as of July 1, 2023.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=QuickFacts Polk County, Florida|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/polkcountyflorida|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 25, 2024}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Bartow, Florida|Bartow]],<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> and its largest city is [[Lakeland, Florida|Lakeland]]. Polk County comprises the Lakeland–Winter Haven metropolitan statistical area (MSA).<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 21, 2023 |title=Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Guidance on the Uses of the Delineations of These Areas |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/OMB-Bulletin-23-01.pdf |access-date=July 21, 2023 |website=Executive Office of the President |page=59}}</ref> This MSA is the [[List of Metropolitan Statistical Areas|77th-most populous]] one and the [[List of United States primary statistical areas|89th-most populous]] [[United States primary statistical area|primary statistical area]] of the United States as of July 1, 2012.<ref name=PopEstCBSA>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/metro/totals/2012/tables/CBSA-EST2012-01.csv|title=Table 1. Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012|format=[[comma-separated values|CSV]]|work=2012 Population Estimates|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division|date=March 2013 |access-date=March 20, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401093220/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/metro/totals/2012/tables/CBSA-EST2012-01.csv |archive-date=April 1, 2013}}</ref><ref name=PopEstCSA>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/metro/totals/2012/tables/CBSA-EST2012-02.csv|title=Table 2. Annual Estimates of the Population of Combined Statistical Areas: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012|format=[[comma-separated values|CSV]]|work=2012 Population Estimates|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division|date=March 2013|access-date=March 20, 2013|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517083619/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/metro/totals/2012/tables/CBSA-EST2012-02.csv|archive-date=May 17, 2013}}</ref> The center of population of Florida is located in Polk County, near the city of [[Lake Wales, Florida|Lake Wales]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/reference/docs/cenpop2010/CenPop2010_Mean_ST.txt|title=Centers of Population by State: 2010|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 16, 2014}}</ref> Polk County is home to one public university, one state college, and four private universities.

==History==
{{unbalanced|date=February 2019}}
[[File:JamesKnoxPolk.png|right|thumb|U.S. President James Knox Polk, namesake of the county]]

===Early history===
The first people to inhabit the area now called Polk County were the [[Indigenous peoples of Florida#Paleoindians|Paleoindians]] who arrived in Florida at least 12,000 years ago, late in the [[Wisconsin Glaciation|last ice age]]. With large amounts of water locked up in continental ice caps, the sea level was more than {{convert|150|ft}} lower than at present. The Florida peninsula was twice as wide as it is today, and Florida was cooler and much drier, with few, if any, flowing rivers. Both animals and humans were dependent on scattered water holes, such as [[sinkhole]]s, deep holes in otherwise dry river beds, and rain-fed lakes perched on impervious clay. Most Paleoindian campsites found in Florida have been found at water holes. The largest collection of late (more than 9,500 years ago) Paleoindian [[microlith]]ic tools known from Florida were found in [[Lake Weohyakapka]], near [[Nalcrest, Florida|Nalcrest]] in Polk County.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Milanich|first=Jerald T.|title=Archaeology of Precolumbian Florida|publisher=University Press of Florida|year=1994|isbn=0-8130-1273-2|location=Gainesville, Florida|pages=37–41, 58}}</ref>

As sea levels rose and Florida became warmer and wetter, the Paleoindian period was followed by the [[Indigenous peoples of Florida#Archaic period|Archaic period]], which ended 2,500 to 3,000 years ago, with the emergence of recognizable [[Indigenous peoples of Florida#Post-Archaic period|archaeological cultures]] in Florida. In eastern Polk County, the [[Kissimmee River]] valley was occupied by people of the [[Belle Glade culture]], which persisted from about 3,000 years ago until the collapse of the Native American population in Florida after 1700. Native American people in western Polk County were part of, or influenced by, the [[Manasota culture]], which flourished from 2,500 years ago until around 800 AD, when it was replaced by the [[Safety Harbor culture]], from ''circa'' 800 until after 1700. The [[Peace River (Florida)|Peace River]] valley may have hosted a distinct culture during the Safety Harbor period.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Milanich|first=Jerald T.|title=Archaeology of Precolumbian Florida|publisher=University Press of Florida|year=1994|isbn=0-8130-1273-2|location=Gainesville, Florida|pages=105–109}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Luer|first=George M.|author2=Marion M. Almy |title=Temple Mounds of the Tampa Bay Area|journal=The Florida Anthropologist|date=September 1981|volume=34|issue=3|page=149|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00027829/00017/6j|access-date=August 22, 2018}}</ref>

In 1539, [[Juan Ponce de León|Ponce De Leon]] sent a detachment (between 80 and 180 men) of his expedition from his landing place on [[Tampa Bay]] across northern Polk County to visit [[Urriparacoxi]], a powerful chief based in southern [[Lake County, Florida|Lake County]] or eastern [[Orange County, Florida|Orange County]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Milanich|first1=Jerald T.|last2=Hudson|first2=Charles|title=Hernando de Soto and the Indians of Florida|year=1993|publisher=University Press of Florida|location=Gainesville, Florida|isbn=0-8130-1170-1|pages=57–58}}</ref> [[History of Florida#European contact and aftermath|For the next 280 years]], the Spanish (and, between 1763 and 1783, the British) ruled Florida, but did not venture into the interior of the Florida peninsula south of the [[Oklawaha River]] valley ([[Acuera]] Province). The indigenous peoples of the Florida peninsula declined in numbers, and the people who became known as the [[Seminole#History|Seminole]] moved into central Florida.

===United States control===
{{main|History of Florida#Territory and Statehood}}
In 1821, Florida became a U.S. territory as a result of the [[Adams-Onis Treaty]]. In 1823, the [[Treaty of Moultrie Creek]] created a reservation in central Florida for the Seminoles and other Native Americans in Florida. What is now Polk County was within the boundaries of that reservation. An attempt to remove all Native Americans in Florida to west of the Mississippi River, starting in 1832, led to the [[Second Seminole War]]. Most of the fighting in the early years of the war occurred north of Polk County. By 1837, the Seminoles were being pushed south, and late that year, Colonel [[Zachary Taylor]], as part of a coordinated push against the Seminoles, led a column east from [[Fort Brooke]] (today's Tampa) into what is now Polk County, and then south between the Kissimmee and Peace River valleys, culminating in the [[Battle of Lake Okeechobee]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Missall|first1=John|last2=Missall|first2=Mary Lou|year=2004|title=The Seminole Wars: America's Longest Indian Conflict.|publisher=University Press of Florida|location=Gainesville, Florida|isbn=0-8130-2715-2|pages=138–142}}</ref> By 1843 the few Seminoles remaining in Florida were confined to an informal reservation in southern Florida.<ref>{{cite book|last=Mahon|first=John K.|author-link=John K. Mahon|year=1967|title=History of the Second Seminole War|publisher=University of Florida Press\location=Gainesville,Florida|pages=316–318}}</ref>

While Florida gained statehood in 1845, Polk County was not created until a month after Florida had seceded from the Union. It was formed from the eastern part of [[Hillsborough County, Florida|Hillsborough County]] and named in honor of former US President [[James K. Polk]],<ref>{{cite book|title=Publications of the Florida Historical Society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WZQ-AAAAYAAJ&pg=RA2-PA33|year=1908|publisher=Florida Historical Society|page=33}}</ref> who had been popular with Southerners for supporting the expansion of slavery<ref name=":0" /> and whose 1845 inauguration was on the day after Florida became a state.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Rousos|first=Rick|title=How Polk Got Its Name|url=https://bluetoad.com/publication/?i=293252&article_id=2419357}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kline |first=Jeffrey |date=February 6, 2011 |title=Just Who Was James K. Polk? |url=https://www.theledger.com/article/LK/20110206/News/608072867/LL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817035228/https://www.theledger.com/article/LK/20110206/News/608072867/LL |archive-date=17 Aug 2021 |access-date=August 16, 2021 |work=The Ledger}}</ref>

Following the Civil War, the county commission established the county seat on {{convert|120|acre|km2}} donated in the central part of the county. Bartow, the county seat, was named after [[Francis S. Bartow]], a Confederate colonel from Georgia who was the first Confederate brigade commander to die in battle. Colonel Bartow was buried in [[Savannah, Georgia]], with military honors, and promoted posthumously to the rank of brigadier general. The original name of the town was Fort Blount. Several other towns and counties in the South changed their names to Bartow to honor the brigade commander. The first courthouse built in Bartow was constructed in 1867.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} It was replaced twice, in 1884 and in 1908. As the third courthouse to stand on the site, the present structure houses the Polk County Historical Museum and Genealogical Library. After the Civil War, some 400 Confederate veterans settled here with families before the end of the century.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

===Post-Reconstruction era to World War II===
In the post-Reconstruction period, black railway workers were among the first African Americans to settle in Polk County, in 1883 south of Lake Wire. The following year, they founded St. John's Baptist Church, which also served as the first school for [[freedmen]]'s children. Other workers arrived for jobs in the phosphate industry. This area became the center of a predominately African-American community later known as Moorehead, after Rev. H.K. Moorehead, called to St. John's in 1906. The community developed its own businesses, professional class, and cultural institutions. Its students had to go to other cities for high school until 1928, when the first upper school to serve blacks was established here.<ref name="monument"/>

White violence rose against blacks in the late 19th century in a regionwide effort to establish and maintain [[white supremacy]] as Southern states [[Disfranchisement after Reconstruction era|disenfranchised most blacks]] and imposed [[Jim Crow]]. Whites [[Lynchings in the United States|lynched]] 20 African Americans in Polk County from 1895 to 1921;<ref name="polk">[http://www.theledger.com/news/20180505/lynchings-klan-activity-part-of-polks-history Kimberly C. Moore, "Lynchings, Klan activity part of Polk’s history"], ''The Ledger'', May 7, 2018.</ref> Three black men, whose names were not recorded, were murdered in a mass lynching on May 25, 1895, accused of rape. While others were killed for alleged crimes (never proven), one black man was lynched for supposedly insulting a white woman. The man, Henry Scott, was a porter on a train from Lakeland to Bartow. While he was preparing a berth for one woman on May 20, 1920, another white woman became angry that he made her wait. She sent a telegram to the next station where he was met by a sheriff, arrested, and then turned over to a mob that shot him 40-50 times.<ref name="Henry Scott NYNW">{{cite news|title=Woman's Impatience Revealed as Cause of Porter's Death|publisher=New York Negro World|date=May 29, 1920|quote="The woman sent a telegram to the next station stating that Scott had insulted her. When the train stopped, Scott was removed by a deputy sheriff. From there the story followed the usual lynching pattern. A mob “over-powered” the sheriff and killed the Negro. The coroner’s jury returned the usual verdict, “Death at the hands of parties unknown.”"}}</ref> [[Columbia County, Florida|Columbia County]] also had 20 such lynching murders; these two counties had the second-highest total of lynchings of African Americans of any county in the state.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

In the first few decades of the 1900s, thousands of acres of land around Bartow were purchased by the [[phosphate]] industry. The county seat became the hub of the largest phosphate industry in the United States, attracting both immigrants and African-American and white workers from rural areas.<ref name="Polk's Profile"/>

Polk County was the leading citrus county in the United States for much of the 20th century, and even the county seat Bartow has had several large groves. In 1941, the city built an airport northeast of town in the county.<ref name="Airport History">{{cite web
 |url=http://www.bartow-airport.com/airhistory.htm
 |title=Airport History
 |access-date=September 12, 2010
|publisher=Bartow Municipal Airport
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204060330/http://www.bartow-airport.com/airhistory.htm
 |archive-date=December 4, 2010
}}</ref> The airport was taken over by the federal government during [[World War II]] and was the training location for many [[United States Army Air Corps|Army Air Corps]] pilots during the war. The airport was returned to the city in 1967 and renamed as Bartow Municipal Airport.<ref name="Airport History"/>

===Mid-20th century to present===
In the 20th century, the [[Ku Klux Klan]] revived and was active in Polk County, even after World War II. Klansmen were photographed in hoods and robes in 1958 in a church in Mulberry. During the 1960s, violence related to civil-rights movement was attributed to the Klan. In 1967, a white man shot and severely wounded a popular African-American high-school football player who was integrating Lake Ariana Beach.<ref name="polk"/> A Klan group marched in Lakeland in full regalia in 1979, their last public march by the Confederate monument in Munn Park.<ref name="polk"/>

[[Fred Rochelle]], 16, was burned alive in a public spectacle lynching before thousands in Polk County, Florida, in 1901.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Cotter|first=Holland|date=June 1, 2018|title=A Memorial to the Lingering Horror of Lynching|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/01/arts/design/national-memorial-for-peace-and-justice-montgomery-alabama.html|access-date=June 9, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Since the late 20th century, growth in Polk County has been driven by its proximity to both the [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]] and [[Orlando, Florida|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, Florida|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.<ref name="Unemployment Rate Polk County, FL">{{cite news|url=http://www.ledgerdata.com/unemployment|title=Unemployment Rate Polk County, FL|access-date=October 8, 2010|newspaper=The Ledger|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310085431/http://www.ledgerdata.com/unemployment| archive-date = March 10, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> For example, in August 2010, the county had an unemployment rate of 13.4%, compared to 11.7% for the entire state.<ref name="Unemployment Rate Polk County, FL"/>

During the [[2004 Atlantic hurricane season]], three hurricanes, [[Hurricane Charley|Charley]], [[Hurricane Frances|Frances]], and [[Hurricane Jeanne|Jeanne]], all tracked over Polk County, intersecting in a triangle that includes the city of Bartow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2005/04/Bossakarticle.pdf|title="X" Marks the Spot: Florida, the 2004 Hurricane Bull's-Eye|last=Bossak|first=Brian H.|date=April 2005|work=Sound Waves|publisher=United States Geological Survey|access-date=March 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Winter Haven, Florida|Winter Haven]] was best known as the home of the [[Cypress Gardens]] theme park, which operated from 1936 to September 23, 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theledger.com/article/20091227/News/608119197|title=Cypress Gardens Closes Once Again; Its Future Is Uncertain|first=Gary|last=White|website=www.theledger.com|date=December 27, 2009|access-date=July 31, 2021}}</ref> [[Legoland Florida]] has since been built on the site of former Cypress Gardens, and has preserved the botanical garden section. Winter Haven was the location of the first [[Publix|Publix supermarket]] ''circa'' 1930; today, Publix's corporate offices are located in Lakeland.

In 2018, the Lakeland City Commission voted to move the Confederate monument from Munn Park, where it was installed in 1910, to Veterans Memorial Park. What is now Veterans Memorial Park was first settled in 1883 as the community of Moorehead, the original African-American community in the area. Owners were bought out in 1967 by eminent domain for county civic development of a conference center and the later Veterans Memorial Park. Some members of the black community have objected to the Confederate monument being relocated to the site of what had been their historic community in Lakeland, saying it would be more appropriate to be located in the cemetery with numerous Confederate graves.<ref name="monument">[http://www.theledger.com/news/20180505/confederate-vets-former-slaves-form-lakelands-history Kimberly C. Moore, "Confederate vets, former slaves form Lakeland’s history"], ''The Ledger'', May 9, 2018; accessed June 27, 2018.</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|2011|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|213|sqmi}} (10.6%) are covered by water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> It is the fourth-largest county in Florida by land area and fifth-largest by total area.

Polk County is within the Central Florida Highlands area of the Atlantic coastal plain, with a terrain consisting of flatland interspersed with gently rolling hills. Part of the Lake Wales Ridge runs through eastern Polk County, which is known for its rolling hills with unique wildlife and plants. The highest elevation in the county is Crooked Lake Sandhill at 305 feet, with the second-highest being Iron Mountain, the location of Bok Tower at 295 feet above sea level. Several artificial raised phosphate tailings ponds in the center of the county rise up to 375 feet.

===Adjacent counties===
{|
|- valign="top"
|
* [[Lake County, Florida|Lake County]] – north
* [[Osceola County, Florida|Osceola County]] – east
* [[Orange County, Florida|Orange County]] - northeast
* [[Okeechobee County, Florida|Okeechobee County]] – southeast
|
* [[Highlands County, Florida|Highlands County]] – southeast
* [[Hardee County, Florida|Hardee County]] – south
* [[Manatee County, Florida|Manatee County]] – southwest
|
* [[Hillsborough County, Florida|Hillsborough County]] – west
* [[Sumter County, Florida|Sumter County]] – northwest
* [[Pasco County, Florida|Pasco County]] – northwest
|}

In addition, at its northeast corner, Polk County touches [[Orange County, Florida|Orange County]] at a [[quadripoint]] called [[Four Corners, Florida]]; Lake and Osceola Counties lie between.

===Climate===
Polk County, like most of Florida, has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cfa''). It lies in the [[Hardiness zone#United States hardiness zones (USDA scale)|USDA plant hardiness zone]] ''9b'', where the average annual minimum temperature is {{convert|25|-|30|F|C}}.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fraisse |first1=Clyde |title=USDA Plant Hardiness Information |url=http://www.southeastfloridaclimatecompact.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/USDA-Plant-Hardiness.pdf |access-date=October 16, 2018 }}</ref> The last measurable snow in the county [[Cold wave of January 1977#Florida|fell in 1977]], but snow flurries and sleet [[Snow in Florida#January 8, 2010 Central Florida wintery mix|fell on January 8, 2010]], over the course of an hour on an exceptionally cold day.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Walter |first1=Shoshana |title=Snow, Sleet Pelt Frigid Polk |url=https://www.theledger.com/article/LK/20100109/News/608065271/LL/ |access-date=October 16, 2018 |work=The Ledger |date=January 9, 2010 |location=Lakeland, Florida}}</ref>

During the summer [[wet season|rainy season]] from June to September, [[sea breeze]]s from both coasts move inland, where the moist air is heated and rises to form thunderstorms. On many days, the sea-breeze thunderstorms from both coasts move inland, colliding in Polk County to form especially strong thunderstorms.<ref name="FL Climate Book">{{cite book |last1=Collins |first1=Jennifer |last2=Paxton |first2=Charles |last3=Wahl |first3=Thomas |last4=Emrich |first4=Christopher |editor1-last=Chassignet |editor1-first=Eric |editor2-last=Jones |editor2-first=James |editor3-last=Misra |editor3-first=Vasubandhu |editor4-last=Obeysekera |editor4-first=Jayantha |title=Florida's Climate: Changes, Variations, & Impacts |date=November 2017 |publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform |isbn=9781979091046 |doi=10.17125/fci2017 |chapter-url=http://floridaclimateinstitute.org/docs/climatebook/Ch20-Collins.pdf |access-date=October 16, 2018 |chapter=Climate and Weather Extremes}}</ref>{{rp|589}} Polk County is located in the middle of [[Distribution of lightning#Distribution|"lightning alley"]], which has more lightning annually than any region in the United States. Largely due to its size, the county receives the overall highest number of lightning strikes in the area.<ref name="FL Climate Book"/>{{rp|590–591}}

The Green Swamp is prone to fog in winter. In the predawn hours of January 8, 2008, smoke from a prescribed burn contributed to especially dense fog on Interstate 4 that caused a major pileup involving 70 vehicles in 10 separate crashes that resulted in five deaths.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Maready |first1=Jeremy |title=One Year After Tragic I-4 Pileup, Questions Remain |url=https://www.theledger.com/article/LK/20090108/News/608127525/LL/ |access-date=October 16, 2018 |work=The Ledger |date=January 8, 2009 |location=Lakeland, Florida}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Lakeland ([[Lakeland Linder International Airport|LAL]]), 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1948–present
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 87
|Feb record high F = 90
|Mar record high F = 92
|Apr record high F = 95
|May record high F = 103
|Jun record high F = 105
|Jul record high F = 102
|Aug record high F = 100
|Sep record high F = 98
|Oct record high F = 96
|Nov record high F = 93
|Dec record high F = 87
|year record high F = 105
|Jan high F = 73.6
|Feb high F = 76.9
|Mar high F = 81.0
|Apr high F = 85.7
|May high F = 90.7
|Jun high F = 93.2
|Jul high F = 93.9
|Aug high F = 94.2
|Sep high F = 91.7
|Oct high F = 86.6
|Nov high F = 79.9
|Dec high F = 74.5
|year high F = 85.2
|Jan low F = 50.2
|Feb low F = 52.5
|Mar low F = 56.2
|Apr low F = 60.0
|May low F = 66.5
|Jun low F = 71.7
|Jul low F = 72.8
|Aug low F = 73.1
|Sep low F = 72.1
|Oct low F = 66.0
|Nov low F = 58.5
|Dec low F = 52.3
|year low F = 62.7
|Jan record low F = 20
|Feb record low F = 27
|Mar record low F = 25
|Apr record low F = 35
|May record low F = 47
|Jun record low F = 56
|Jul record low F = 64
|Aug record low F = 63
|Sep record low F = 62
|Oct record low F = 42
|Nov record low F = 28
|Dec record low F = 20
|year record low F = 20
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.59
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.67
|Mar precipitation inch = 3.68
|Apr precipitation inch = 2.54
|May precipitation inch = 3.19
|Jun precipitation inch = 8.74
|Jul precipitation inch = 7.88
|Aug precipitation inch = 7.51
|Sep precipitation inch = 6.10
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.60
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.79
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.88
|year precipitation inch =
| unit rain days = 0.01 in
| Jan rain days = 7.8
| Feb rain days = 7.4
| Mar rain days = 7.8
| Apr rain days = 6.4
| May rain days = 7.5
| Jun rain days = 14.4
| Jul rain days = 17.1
| Aug rain days = 16.8
| Sep rain days = 12.4
| Oct rain days = 6.9
| Nov rain days = 6.4
| Dec rain days = 5.9
| year rain days =
|Jan sun = 203.2
|Feb sun = 209.4
|Mar sun = 258.2
|Apr sun = 302.1
|May sun = 306.7
|Jun sun = 255.8
|Jul sun = 255.4
|Aug sun = 248.9
|Sep sun = 226.5
|Oct sun = 239.9
|Nov sun = 213.4
|Dec sun = 203.5
|year sun = 2923.0
|source 1 =<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=mlb|title=National Weather Service Climate|first=National Weather Service Corporate Image Web|last=Team|website=w2.weather.gov}}</ref>
}}

====Tropical cyclones====
[[File:Hurricane Irma max wind gusts Polk County.png|thumb|Maximum recorded wind gusts during Hurricane Irma (in mph)]]
[[File:Hurricane Charley wind field.png|thumb|left|Wind field of Hurricane Charley]]
The eyes of 12 hurricanes have passed through the county at hurricane strength in recorded history, including [[Hurricane Irma]] (2017, category&nbsp;1), [[Hurricane Jeanne]] (2004, category&nbsp;1), [[Hurricane Charley]] (2004, category&nbsp;2), [[Hurricane Donna]] (1960, category&nbsp;2), [[Hurricane King]] (1950, category&nbsp;1), the [[1949 Florida hurricane]] (category&nbsp;2), the [[1945 Homestead hurricane]] (category&nbsp;1), the [[1933 Treasure Coast hurricane]] (category&nbsp;1), the [[1928 Okeechobee hurricane]] (category&nbsp;2), [[1894 Atlantic hurricane season#Hurricane Four|Hurricane Four of the 1894 season]] (category&nbsp;1), and [[1871 Atlantic hurricane season#Hurricane Three|Hurricane Three of the 1871&nbsp;season]], and [[1859 Atlantic hurricane season#Hurricane Eight|Hurricane Eight of the 1859 season]] (category&nbsp;1).<ref name="Historical Hurricane Tracks">{{cite web |title=Historical Hurricane Tracks |url=https://coast.noaa.gov/hurricanes/ |website=NOAA Historical Hurricane Tracks Tool |publisher=NOAA |access-date=October 16, 2018}}<!-- searched for "Polk County (Civil), Polk County, FL", 1 nmi limit, unselected "ET", "TD", & "TS" under "Advanced Filters" --></ref> Additionally, four storms were downgraded from hurricane strength at a location outside the county to tropical storm force at some point within the county and, given the hours between [[National Hurricane Center]] updates (modern era) or earlier estimates, it is not clear whether these brought hurricane-force sustained winds to Polk County: [[Hurricane Frances]] (2004), [[Hurricane Erin (1995)]] [[1939 Atlantic hurricane season#Hurricane Two|Hurricane Two of the 1939 season]], and the [[1910 Cuba hurricane]] (category 1).<ref name="Historical Hurricane Tracks"/> Numerous tropical storms have passed through the county.<ref name="Historical Hurricane Tracks"/>

Hurricane Charley in 2004—the first of three hurricanes to hit the county in six weeks—is the strongest storm in recent history to pass through the county, mainly impacting the eastern half of the county. The Lake Wales Fire Department recorded an unofficial maximum wind speed of {{convert|95|mph|abbr=on}} sustained and a gust of {{convert|101|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chambliss |first1=John |last2=Rousso |first2=Rick |title=Charley Whips Through Polk |url=https://www.theledger.com/article/LK/20040813/News/608120847/LL/ |access-date=October 16, 2018 |work=The Ledger |date=August 13, 2004 |location=Lakeland, Florida |quote=Over land, Charley lost some punch but still pummeled Lake Wales with gusts up to 101 mph and sustained winds of 95 mph for about 45 minutes, according to the Lake Wales Fire Department.}}</ref> The hurricane entered the county south of Fort Meade, shortly after it passed [[Wauchula, Florida|Wauchula]] (in Hardee County), where a maximum wind gust of {{convert|109|mph|abbr=on}} was recorded by emergency management officials.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Goldsmith |first1=Barry |title=Hurricane Charley Preliminary Storm Survey I |url=https://www.weather.gov/media/tbw/HurricaneCharley/text/charleylocalsummary.pdf |publisher=[[National Weather Service]] Tampa Bay Area Weather Forecast Office |access-date=October 16, 2018 |date=2004|pages=3–4}}</ref> The hurricane-force wind field was relatively narrow, with the most intense wind damage being within {{convert|10|mi|abbr=on}} of the center of the eye.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Linhares |first1=Mark |title=Hurricane Charley Preliminary Storm Survey II |url=https://www.weather.gov/media/tbw/HurricaneCharley/text/charleylocalsummary2.pdf |publisher=[[National Weather Service]] Tampa Bay Area Weather Forecast Office |access-date=October 16, 2018 |pages=1, 3 |date=2004}}</ref> For example, maximum recorded winds were only {{convert|41|kn|abbr=on}} sustained and a gust of {{convert|54|kn|abbr=on}} at [[Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport|Gilbert Airport]] on the northwest side of the city.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pasch |first1=Richard |last2=Brown |first2=Daniel |last3=Blake |first3=Erik |title=Tropical Cyclone Report - Hurricane Charley - 9-14 August 2004 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL032004_Charley.pdf |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=October 16, 2018 |page=8 |date=October 18, 2004}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870=3169
|1880=3181
|1890=7905
|1900=12472
|1900n=<ref name="1900sCounts">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/fl190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 16, 2014}}</ref>
|1910=24148
|1910n=<ref name="1900sCounts"/>
|1920=38661
|1920n=<ref name="1900sCounts"/>
|1930=72291
|1930n=<ref name="1900sCounts"/>
|1940=86665
|1940n=<ref name="1900sCounts"/>
|1950=123997
|1950n=<ref name="1900sCounts"/>
|1960=195139
|1960n=<ref name="1900sCounts"/>
|1970=227222
|1970n=<ref name="1900sCounts"/>
|1980=321652
|1980n=<ref name="1900sCounts"/>
|1990=405382
|1990n=<ref name="Census2000"/><ref name="1900sCounts"/>
|2000=483924
|2000n=<ref name="Census2000">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 16, 2014}}</ref>
|2010=602095
|2010n=<ref name="QF" /> 
|2020=725048
|2020n=<ref name="2022PopulationEstimate">{{cite web |title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2022 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |website=County Population Totals: 2020-2022 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=March 30, 2023 |date=March 30, 2023 }}</ref>
|estyear=2023
|estimate=818330
|estref=<ref name="2022PopulationEstimate">{{cite web |title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2022 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |website=County Population Totals: 2020-2022 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=March 30, 2023 |date=March 30, 2023 }}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote= U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 16, 2014}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=April 2023|reason=No mention of Polk County at the tiven link}}<br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=June 16, 2014}}</ref> 1900–1990
}}

===2020 Census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Polk County, Florida – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Polk County, Florida |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US12105&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Polk County, Florida |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US12105&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Polk County, Florida |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US12105&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|361,366
|388,769
|style='background: #ffffe6; |392,621
|74.67%
|64.57%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |54.15%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|64,544
|85,336
|style='background: #ffffe6; |100,950
|13.34%
|14.17%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |13.92%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|1,411
|1,658
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,623
|0.29%
|0.28%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.22%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|4,448
|9,567
|style='background: #ffffe6; |13,181
|0.92%
|1.59%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.82%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|129
|238
|style='background: #ffffe6; |300
|0.03%
|0.04%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.04%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|477
|1,083
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,684
|0.10%
|0.18%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.51%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|5,616
|8,912
|style='background: #ffffe6; |24,992
|1.16%
|1.48%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.45%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|45,933
|106,532
|style='background: #ffffe6; |187,695
|9.49%
|17.69%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |25.89%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''483,924'''
|'''602,095'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''725,046'''
|'''100%'''
|'''100%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100%'''
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census]], 725,046 people, 240,879 households, and 165,183 families were residing in the county.

===2010 Census===
<u>U.S. Census Bureau 2010 Ethnic/Race Demographics:</u><ref name=POLKdemo>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |title=Polk County: SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=October 23, 2015 }}</ref><ref name=polkDC>{{cite web |url=http://data.ocala.com/census/florida/polk-county/105/ |title=Polk County Demographic Characteristics |publisher=ocala.com |access-date=October 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719112830/http://data.ocala.com/census/florida/polk-county/105/ |archive-date=July 19, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* White (non-Hispanic) (75.2% when including [[White Hispanic]]s): 64.6%
* Black (non-Hispanic) (14.8% when including [[Black Hispanic]]s): 14.2%
* Hispanic or Latino of any race: 17.7%
* Asian: 1.6%
* [[Multiracial American|Two or more races]]: 2.4%
* American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4%
* Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1%<ref name=POLKdemo/><ref name=polkDC/>
* [[Race (United States Census)|Other races]]: 5.5%

In 2010, the largest ancestry groups were: 12.2% German, 11.6% American, 11.2% English, 10.8% Irish, 7.6% Mexican, 5.8% Puerto Rican, 4.1% Italian, 2.6% French, 2.1% Polish, 2.0% Scotch-Irish, 1.8% Scottish, 1.5% Dutch, and 1.2% Cuban.<ref name=POLKdemo/>

Of the 227,485 households, 27.3% had children under 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were not families. About 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% (3.4% male and 7.6% female) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.59, and the average family size was 3.05.<ref name=polkDC/><ref name=POLKage>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |title=Polk County: Age Groups and Sex: 2010–2010 Census Summary File 1 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=October 23, 2015 }}</ref>

In the county, the age distribution was 23.5% under 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 or older. The median age was 39.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.<ref name=POLKage/>

The median income for a household in the county was $43,946, and for a family was $51,395. Males had a median income of $37,768 versus $30,655 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $21,881. About 11.5% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those aged 65 or over.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |title=Polk County, Florida: SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=November 18, 2015 }}</ref>

In 2010, 10.7% of the county's population was [[foreign born|foreign-born]], with 37.8% being [[Naturalized citizen of the United States|naturalized American citizens]]. Of foreign-born residents, 70.4% were born in Latin America, 11.5% Europe, 10.2% Asia, 4.9% North America, 2.6% Africa, and 0.4% were born in Oceania.<ref name=POLKdemo/>

===2000 Census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, 483,924 people, 187,233 households, and 132,373 families resided in the county. The population density was {{convert|258|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. The 226,376 housing units had an average density of {{convert|121|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 79.58% White (74.6% were [[Non-Hispanic White]]),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.muninetguide.com/states/florida/Polk.php |title=Demographics of Polk County, FL |publisher=MuniNetGuide.com |access-date=October 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531165552/http://www.muninetguide.com/states/florida/Polk.php |archive-date=May 31, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 13.54% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.82% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. About 9.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. In 2000, only 37% of county residents lived in incorporated metropolitan areas.<ref name="cfdc.org">[http://www.cfdc.org/content/profile/Demographics.pdf Polk County Demographic Profile (Central Florida Development Council)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008170428/http://www.cfdc.org/content/profile/Demographics.pdf |date=October 8, 2007 }} – retrieved June 1, 2007</ref>

Of the 187,233 households, 29.0% had children under 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were not families; 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.52, and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the age distribution was 24.4% under 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,036, and for a family was $41,442. Males had a median income of $31,396, versus $22,406 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $18,302. 12.90% of the population and 9.40% of families were below the [[poverty line]]. Of the total population, 19.1% were under 18 and 8.1% were 65 or older.

===Languages===
As of 2010, 81.80% of all residents spoke English as their [[first language]], while 14.34% spoke Spanish, 0.70% [[French-based creole languages|French Creole]] (mostly [[Haitian Creole]],) and 0.51% of the population spoke French as their [[mother language]].<ref name= "MLA">{{cite web | url=http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&SRVY_YEAR=2010&geo=county&state_id=12&county_id=95&mode=geographic&lang_id=&zip=&place_id=&cty_id=&region_id=&division_id=&ll=&a=&ea=&order=r&pc=1 | title=Modern Language Association Data Center Results of Polk County, Florida | publisher=Modern Language Association | access-date=October 23, 2015}}</ref> In total, 18.20% of the population spoke languages other than English as their [[primary language]].<ref name= "MLA"/>

==Economy==
Polk County's economy is supported by a workforce of over 275,000 in 2010.<ref name="Polk County Profile">{{cite web
| url = http://www.eflorida.com/profiles/CountyReport.asp?CountyID=34&Display=all One [[Fortune 500]] company, [[Publix Super Markets]], has headquarters in the county.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

| title = Polk County Profile
| access-date = October 27, 2011
| publisher = Enterprise Florida
}}</ref> Traditionally, the largest industries in Polk County's economy have been [[phosphate]] [[mining]], [[agriculture]], and [[tourism]].<ref name="Polk's Profile">{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.polk-county.net/subpage.aspx?menu_id=8&nav=res&id=120
 |title       = Polk's Profile
 |access-date  = October 27, 2011
|publisher   = Polk County Board of County Commissioners
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20111011053629/http://polk-county.net/subpage.aspx?menu_id=8&nav=res&id=120
 |archive-date = October 11, 2011
}}</ref>

Notable companies headquartered in Polk County include [[Publix]] (an employee-owned grocery chain) and [[Florida's Natural]] (an agricultural cooperative).

===Top employers===
The top employers of Polk County are as follows:<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.cfdc.org/data-research/top-employers/ | title=Top Employers ‹ Central Florida Development Council}}</ref>
# [[Polk County Public Schools]] (13,000)
# [[Publix]] (11,721)
# [[Lakeland Regional Medical Center|Lakeland Regional Health]] (5,605)
# [[Walmart]] (5,100)
# [[Lakeland, Florida|City of Lakeland]] (2,300)
# [[GEICO]] (2,222)
# Polk County Board of County Commissioners (2,200)
# [[Winter Haven Hospital]] (2,079)
# Polk County Sheriff's Office (1,955)
# Watson Clinic (1,851)
# [[Southeastern University]] (1,557)
# [[Legoland Florida]] (1,500)
# [[The Mosaic Company]] (1,380)
# [[Sykes Enterprises|Sykes]] (1,150)
# [[State Farm Insurance]] (1,000)
# [[Amazon.com|Amazon]] (1,000)
# GC Services (1,000)
# [[Polk State College]] (932)
# [[Rooms to Go]] (900)
# [[Florida's Natural Growers]] (645)
# [[CSX Transportation]] (599)
::''{{small|Employers and statistic last updated April 23, 2018}}''

==Sports==
{{more citations needed section|date=July 2020}}
Polk County is home to professional [[baseball]] and [[basketball]] teams and boasts a rich history of collegiate sports competition at a number of its institutions of higher learning, including perennial [[NCAA Division II]] national championship contender and titleholder (in multiple sports), [[Florida Southern College]].

Professional [[baseball]], especially [[Major League Baseball|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 [[Single-A]] [[Lakeland Flying Tigers]] play in [[Joker Marchant Stadium]] after spring training.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.centralfloridasports.com/sports/baseball.aspx |title=Central Florida's Polk County Sports Marketing &#124; Baseball |access-date=November 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221212256/http://www.centralfloridasports.com/sports/baseball.aspx |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lakeland Flying Tigers |url=https://www.milb.com/lakeland |access-date=February 15, 2024 |website=[[Minor League Baseball]] |language=en}}</ref>

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]]. In 2023, the team relocated from Polk County to [[Osceola County, Florida|Osceola County]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Savage |first=Dan |date=April 11, 2023 |title=Orlando Magic's G League Team's Move to Osceola a 'Game Changer' |website=[[NBA.com]] |url=https://www.nba.com/magic/news/orlando-magic-osceola-nba-g-league-move-game-changer-story-20230411 |access-date=February 15, 2024}}</ref>

College sports are also popular in Polk County. The [[Florida Southern Moccasins]] play in [[NCAA Division II]] in the [[Sunshine State Conference]]. The [[Southeastern Fire]] play in [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]] [[Sun Conference]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Southeastern University Athletics - Official Athletics Website |url=https://fire.seu.edu/ |access-date=February 15, 2024 |website=Southeastern University Athletics |language=en}}</ref>

==Government and politics==
The executive and legislative powers of the county are vested in the five-member board of county commissioners. While the county is divided into five separate districts, each commissioner is elected [[at-large]], countywide,<ref name="Board of County Commissioners">{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.polk-county.net/subpage.aspx?menu_id=70&nav=gov&id=124
 |title       = Board of County Commissioners
 |access-date  = September 27, 2011
|publisher   = Polk County Website
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110922194920/http://www.polk-county.net/subpage.aspx?menu_id=70&nav=gov&id=124
 |archive-date = September 22, 2011
}}</ref> requiring them to gain majority support. Each term lasts for four years, with odd-numbered districts holding elections in presidential election years, and even-numbered districts holding elections two years later. Like all elected officials in the state,{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} county commissioners are subject to recall. The commissioners elect a chairman and vice-chairman annually. The chairman selects the chairs of each committee, who work with the county manager to establish the policies of the board. The commission meets twice a month- generally every other Tuesday. Additional meetings take place as needed, but must be announced per the [[Freedom of information legislation (Florida)|Florida sunshine laws]].<ref name="Board of County Commissioners"/>

Among the most important duties of the county commission is levying taxes and appropriations. The'' [[ad valorem]] ''millage rate levied by the county for county government purposes is 6.8665.<ref name="Polk County Profile"/> The commission is responsible for providing appropriations for other countywide offices including the sheriff, property appraiser, tax collector, and supervisor of elections.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} The county and circuit court systems are also partially supported by the county budget, including the state attorneys and public defenders. A portion of the county's budget is dedicated to providing municipal-level services and regulations to unincorporated areas, such as zoning, business codes, and fire protection. Other services benefit both those in municipalities and in unincorporated Polk County, such as those that provide recreational and cultural opportunities.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

The current Sheriff of Polk County is [[Grady Judd]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 10, 2020|title=Polk Sheriff Grady Judd re-elected for four more years after no one ran against him|url=https://www.fox13news.com/news/polk-sheriff-grady-judd-re-elected-for-four-more-years-after-no-one-ran-against-him|access-date=February 26, 2021|website=FOX 13 News|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Party registration ===
As of November 30, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|date=April 20, 2022|title=Sarasota County, FL : Supervisor of Elections|url=https://dos.myflorida.com/elections/data-statistics/voter-registration-statistics/voter-registration-reports/voter-registration-by-county-and-party/|access-date=April 20, 2022|website=Sarasota County, FL : Supervisor of Elections|agency=SOE Software Corporation}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
!
!Party
!Number of registered voters
!Percentage
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|172,953
|40.16%
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|132,013
|30.65%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent (United States)}}
|No Party Affiliation
|115,059
|26.72%
|-
|
|Minor parties
|10,583
|2.46%
|-
|
|Total
|430,611
|100%
|}

Since 1976, Polk County has supported the Republican candidate in every election, often by comfortable margins, though Democrats usually obtain over 40% of the vote. In 2024, [[Donald Trump]] performed better than any Republican in the county since [[George H. W. Bush]] in 1988, and held [[Kamala Harris]] under 40% of the vote for the first time since 1992.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/ | title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections }}</ref>

{{PresHead|place=Polk County, Florida|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|209,044|136,879|4,191|Florida}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|194,586|145,049|4,391|Florida}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|157,430|117,433|12,106|Florida}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|131,577|114,622|3,243|Florida}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|128,878|113,865|2,961|Florida}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|123,559|86,009|1,262|Florida}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|90,310|75,207|3,112|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|67,962|66,747|15,464|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|65,963|51,450|28,487|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|77,104|38,249|687|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|84,246|35,516|22|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|59,651|43,327|3,337|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|44,238|47,286|1,182|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|60,748|16,419|293|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|27,839|15,898|31,540|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|35,906|29,355|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|31,618|23,546|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|23,682|18,626|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|20,874|19,556|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|7,692|12,034|3,166|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|5,150|13,152|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|5,564|17,690|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|4,164|10,441|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|3,490|9,463|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|7,460|4,576|350|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|1,530|3,070|696|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|1,782|3,918|249|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|578|2,574|229|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|106|1,520|502|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|290|1,251|256|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|125|869|73|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|133|983|119|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|279|1,155|81|Florida}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Democratic|0|869|192|Florida}}

==Education==
[[Polk County Public Schools]] serves the county.

===Universities and colleges===
====State University System of Florida (public)====
* [[Florida Polytechnic University]]

====Florida College System (Public)====
* [[Polk State College]] (previously known as Polk Community College)

====Private institutions====
* [[Southeastern University (Florida)|Southeastern University]] (affiliated with the [[Assemblies of God]])
* [[Florida Southern College]]
* [[Warner University]] (affiliated with the [[Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)|Church of God]])
* [[Webber International University]]
* [[Keiser University]], Lakeland Campus (not-for-profit)
* [[Southern Technical College]], Auburndale Campus

==Library cooperative==
[[File:Polk County Library Co Op Video.webm|thumbtime=3|thumb|right |Coordinator of Library Co-Op discusses outreach services provided by the public library system.]]
The Polk County Library Cooperative was formed October 1, 1997, through an interlocal agreement between the 13 municipalities with public libraries and the board of county commissioners.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theledger.com/article/20060410/News/608103692|title=Polk County Library Cooperative Coordinator Now Has Full-Time Job|first=Carol|last=Schmidt|website=The Ledger}}</ref> The cooperative enables the city-owned and -operated public libraries to open their doors to all residents of the county, including those in the unincorporated areas.<ref name="History">{{cite web|url=http://www.mypclc.org/about-us|title=About Us - Polk County Library Cooperative|website=www.mypclc.org}}</ref>

===Interlibrary Loan===
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) offers library patrons the opportunity to request and receive books that are not owned by the [[Winter Haven Public Library]]. Through ILL, not only do patrons have access to the circulating book collections of all the library systems in Polk County, but also all of the library systems in Florida, as well as universities and public library systems throughout the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://whpl.mywinterhaven.com/services.html|title=Library Services|website=whpl.mywinterhaven.com|access-date=March 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310080601/http://whpl.mywinterhaven.com/services.html|archive-date=March 10, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Cooperative member libraries===
{|
|- valign="top"
|
* [http://www.auburndalefl.com/library/ Auburndale Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [https://www.cityofbartow.net/departments-services/library Bartow Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [http://townofdundee.com/our-community/libraries/ Dundee Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [https://pclc.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/testhomepclc/?rm=EAGLE+LAKE0%7C%7C%7C1%7C%7C%7C0%7C%7C%7Ctrue Eagle Lake Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [http://www.cityoffortmeade.com/departments/library.php Fort Meade Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [https://www.cityoffrostproof.com/around-the-city/library/ Latt Maxcy Memorial Library]<ref name="History" />
|
* [https://hainescity.com/171/Library Haines City Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [https://www.mylakealfred.com/193/Public-Library Lake Alfred Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [https://www.cityoflakewales.com/976/Library Lake Wales Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [http://www.lakelandgov.net/library/Home.aspx Lakeland Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [http://www.lakelandgov.net/library/Home.aspx Lakeland Main] (Downtown)<ref name="History" />
* [http://www.lakelandgov.net/library/Home.aspx Larry R. Jackson Branch] (North Lakeland)<ref name="History" />
|
* [http://www.lakelandgov.net/library/Home.aspx eLibrary] (South Lakeland) a joint project between City of Lakeland and Library Cooperative<ref name="History" />
* [http://www.mulberrylibrary.com/ Mulberry Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [https://mypolkcity.org/departments/administration/library/ Polk City Community Library]<ref name="History" />
* [http://whpl.mywinterhaven.com/ Winter Haven Public Library], Kathryn L. Smith Memorial<ref name="History" />
* [https://pclc.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/testhomepclc/?rm=BARTOW+-+COUNT0%7C%7C%7C1%7C%7C%7C0%7C%7C%7Ctrue Justice Stephen H. Grimes Law Library] (County operated non-circulating special collection)<ref name="History" />
|}

===Services===
{|
|- valign="top"
|
* Provides the structure for members to give seamless countywide library services<ref name="History" />
* Coordinates activities, information and funding for member libraries<ref name="History" />
* Facilitates Interlibrary Loans<ref name="History" />
* Delivers materials between member libraries five days a week<ref name="History" />
|
* Operates a Wide Area Network linking all member libraries to shared resources and services<ref name="History" />
* Provides e-mail to and designs/houses web pages for members<ref name="History" />
* Manages e-rate program for members<ref name="History" />
* Synchronizes continuing education and staff development opportunities for members<ref name="History" />
|}

===Polk County Historical and Genealogical Library===
====History====
[[File:Polk County History Center.jpg|alt=Large, white government building photographed from across the street|thumb|291x291px|Polk County History Center where the Genealogical Library is located.]]
The Polk County Historical and Genealogical Library was established in 1937, and opened to the public in January 1940. The library was first located in the office of the county attorney and its holdings were all housed in a metal bookcase. Since then, the library has been housed in several different locations within the old Polk County Courthouse. In 1968, the library hired its first full-time employee. By 1974, the library added a second employee and was moved to a new location on Hendry Street. In 1987, the library relocated back to the 1908 Courthouse.

It was renovated during a 10-year process that included expansion to take over and adapt all three floors of the eastern wing of the courthouse. As of 2013, the library is located in the east wing of the historical courthouse in Bartow. It is governed by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners and administered by the Neighborhood Services Department and the Leisure Services Division. The library holds one of the largest genealogical and historical collections in the Southeastern United States.<ref name="About Us">{{cite web
| url = http://library.mypclc.org/historical/about-us
| title = About Us
| access-date = August 9, 2013
| publisher = Polk County Library Cooperative
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131027132431/http://library.mypclc.org/historical/about-us
| archive-date = October 27, 2013
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

====Collections and services====

The Polk County Historical and Genealogical Library holds more than 40,000 items in its collection, which includes books, microfilm, and periodicals with information about the history and genealogy of the entire Eastern United States. The selection of materials related to the history of Polk County contains local newspapers dated back to 1881, aerial photography to 1938, city directories to 1925 and property tax rolls to 1882. Four full-time staff members are available for assistance at the library. The library also offers local obituary searches and basic looks-ups via email.<ref name="Overview">{{cite web
| url = http://library.mypclc.org/historical/collections-and-services
| title = Overview
| access-date = August 9, 2013
| publisher = Polk County Library Cooperative
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120826140435/http://library.mypclc.org/historical/collections-and-services
| archive-date = August 26, 2012
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

<ref name="Historical and Genealogical Library">{{cite web
| url = http://www.polk-county.net/subpage.aspx?menu_id=52&nav=res&id=4358
| title = Historical and Genealogical Library
| access-date = August 9, 2013
| publisher = Polk County Board of County Commissioners
}}</ref>

==Sites of interest==
{{expand section|date=September 2024}}
*[[Bok Tower Gardens]]
*[[Child of the Sun]]
*[[Dundee station (Florida)|Dundee station]]
*[[Explorations V Children's Museum]]
*[[Fantasy of Flight]]
*[[Florida Air Museum]]
*[[Homeland Heritage Park]]
*[[Lake Kissimmee State Park]]
*[[Lake Wales station]]
*[[Legoland Florida]]
*[[Mulberry Phosphate Museum]]
*[[Old Fort Meade School House]]
*[[Polk County Historical Museum (Florida)|Polk County Historical Museum]]
*[[Polk Museum of Art]]
*[[Polk's Nature Discovery Center]]
*[[Posner Park]]
*[[Saddle Creek Park (Florida)|Saddle Creek Park]]
*[[Water Ski Hall of Fame and Museum]]

==Media==

Polk is part of the [[Media in the Tampa Bay Area|Tampa Bay media market]].<ref name="BizJournal">{{cite web |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2007/06/18/daily33.html?from_rss=1|title= Tampa Bay metro market hits milestone |date= July 18, 2007|website= www.bizjournals.com|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref>

===Newspapers===
* ''The [[Polk County Democrat]]'' 1931–present
* ''The [[Lakeland Ledger]]'' 1924–present; owned by [[New Media Investment Group]]
* ''The Winter Haven [[News Chief]]'' 1911–present
* ''The Business Observer'' 1997–present

===Radio===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Callsign
!City
!Format
|-
|[[WLLD]]
|rowspan="4"|[[Lakeland, Florida|Lakeland]]
|[[Rhythmic contemporary]]
|-
|[[WLKF]]
|[[News Talk Information]]
|-
|[[WPCV]]
|[[Country music]]
|-
|WSEU
|[[Contemporary Christian]] music, sports
|-
|[[WWBF]]
|[[Bartow, Florida|Bartow]]
|[[Classic hits]] music and [[Bartow High School]] sports
|-
|[[WLVF-FM|WLVF]]
|[[Haines City, Florida|Haines City]]
|[[Southern gospel music]]
|}

===Television===
* [[WMOR-TV]] (licensed to Lakeland, with studios in Tampa)

==Transportation==

===Airports===
* [[Lakeland Linder International Airport]] In 2017 Linder welcomed its first international flight, and in 2018 the name was changed to reflect the airport's international status.<ref name="LinderInternational">{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Kimberly C |title=Airport director on a mission to bring airline service to Lakeland Linder International Airport |url=http://www.theledger.com/news/20180712/airport-director-on-mission-to-bring-airline-service-to-lakeland-linder-international-airport |access-date=July 20, 2018 |newspaper=Lakeland Ledger |date=July 12, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Bartow Municipal Airport]]
* [[Lake Wales Municipal Airport]]
* [[Jack Browns Seaplane Base]]
* [[Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport]]
* [[South Lakeland Airport]]
* Chalet Suzanne Air Strip
* River Ranch resort Airport

===Highways===
* Limited Access Highways
** {{jct|state=FL|I|4}} ([[Interstate 4]]) – This interstate highway cuts across the northern part of the county, entering from Tampa and Plant City in the west, bypassing Lakeland, Auburndale, and Haines City, and heading northeast toward the greater Orlando area.
** {{jct|state=FL|Toll|570}} (or [[Polk Parkway]]) – With endpoints at I-4, this toll road traverses primarily around Lakeland, intersecting with several major routes in southern Lakeland and additionally providing access to Winter Haven and Legoland via SR 540, and Auburndale via US 92. It exists as SR 570.
** [[Central Polk Parkway]] (Under Development)
** [[Heartland Parkway]] (proposed)
* [[United States Numbered Highways|U.S. Highways]]
** {{jct|state=FL|US|17}} – This U.S. highway enters Polk County from the southwest, bypassing Fort Meade on its way to Bartow, and eventually through Eagle Lake into Winter Haven. North of Winter Haven, in Lake Alfred, it joins with US 92 to form a concurrency that continues north and east through Haines City and Davenport toward Kissimmee and Orlando.
** {{jct|state=FL|US|27}} – This primary thoroughfare in eastern Polk County bypasses several cities, including Frostproof, Lake Wales, Dundee, Lake Hamilton, Haines City, and Davenport. Its interchange with I-4 is a gateway to the Orlando area.
** {{jct|state=FL|US|92}} – This route essentially parallels I-4 to the south over its journey through Polk County. From Plant City to the west, it enters Polk County and crosses Lakeland, emerging and continuing on through Auburndale. It joins US 17 in Lake Alfred.
** {{jct|state=FL|US|98}} – This route crosses northwest to southeast across Polk County. Entering from Pasco County, it cuts through Lakeland and leads to Bartow. In Bartow, it begins a concurrency with US 17 through Fort Meade, where it jogs over to meet US 27 in Frostproof. US 98 is concurrent with US 27 as it exits Polk County to the southeast.
** {{jct|state=FL|US|192}} – This highway has its western terminus at US 27 along the border of Polk and Lake Counties. It runs eastward from this junction to provide access to Disney World, the Orlando area, and the Space Coast.
* Major [[State Roads in Florida|State Roads]]
** {{jct|state=FL|FL|17}} – This scenic highway winds parallel to the east of US 27, running through the downtown areas of Lake Wales, Dundee, Lake Hamilton, and Haines City.
** {{jct|state=FL|FL|33}} – It stems northward from Lakeland and leads to Polk City, and continues northward through the Green Swamp.
** {{jct|state=FL|FL|37}} – Also called South Florida Avenue, this road connects Mulberry to southern Lakeland.
** {{jct|state=FL|FL|60}} – The major route of southern Polk County and the county's largest state road, it connects Mulberry and Bartow with Lake Wales on its route from coast to coast in Florida.
** {{jct|state=FL|FL|540}} – This road leads from Highland City in the Lakeland area to Winter Haven as Winter-Lake Road, then jogging over at US 17 and providing access to Legoland and US 27 as Cypress Gardens Boulevard.
** {{jct|state=FL|FL|542}} – This road travels through central Polk County, connecting downtown Winter Haven to US 27 and Dundee.
** {{jct|state=FL|FL|544}} – This road leads first from Auburndale to Winter Haven as Havendale Boulevard, and continues north and east as a scenic route to southern Haines City.
** {{jct|state=FL|FL|559}} – This route straddles Lake Ariana in Auburndale and connects this city with Polk City, also providing access to I-4.

===Intercity rail===
Polk County has two [[Amtrak]] train stations, in [[Winter Haven station|Winter Haven]] and [[Lakeland station|Lakeland]]. Both stations are served by Amtrak's ''[[Silver Star (Amtrak train)|Silver Star]]'', with the Winter Haven station alone also served by Amtrak's ''[[Silver Meteor]].''

==Communities==
[[Image:Polk county with background, Freeways.jpg|thumb|400px|Municipalities of Polk County]]
According to the 2010 Census, just under 38% of the population of the county lives in one of Polk's seventeen incorporated municipalities.<ref name="Polk's Population">{{cite news
| url = http://www.theledger.com/article/20110317/NEWS/110319792
| title = Census: Polk's Population Larger, More Diverse
| access-date = September 26, 2011
| newspaper = The Ledger
}}</ref> The largest city, [[Lakeland, Florida|Lakeland]], has over 112,000 residents and is located in the western edge of the county. The other core city of the metropolitan area, [[Winter Haven, Florida|Winter Haven]], is located in the eastern part of the county and has 34,000 residents. The county seat, [[Bartow, Florida|Bartow]], is located southeast of Lakeland and southwest of Winter Haven and has over 17,000 residents. The cities of Bartow, Lakeland, and Winter Haven form a roughly [[equilateral triangle]] pointed downward with Bartow being the south point, Lakeland the west point, and Winter Haven the east point.<ref name="Publication 04-39-087">{{cite web
 |url         = http://fipr1.state.fl.us/fipr/fipr1.nsf/0/7bdd9643b1c47a2485256b2f00569595/$FILE/04-039-087Final.pdf
 |page        = 5
 |title       = Publication 04-39-087
 |access-date  = October 17, 2010
|publisher   = University of Florida
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110816102319/http://fipr1.state.fl.us/fipr/fipr1.nsf/0/7bdd9643b1c47a2485256b2f00569595/$FILE/04-039-087Final.pdf
 |archive-date = August 16, 2011
}}</ref><ref name="Map of Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven showing 'triangle'">{{cite web
| url = http://www.indo.com/cgi-bin/dist?place1=Bartow,+Fl&place2=Orlando,+Fl
| title = Map of Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven showing 'triangle'
| access-date = October 17, 2010
}}</ref>

The other major cities in the county with a population over 10,000 include Haines City, Auburndale, and Lake Wales. Haines City is in the northeast part of the county and has over 20,000 residents. Auburndale is located northwest of Winter Haven and Lake Wales is around 16 miles east of Bartow.

===Cities===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Auburndale, Florida|Auburndale]]
* [[Bartow, Florida|Bartow]]
* [[Davenport, Florida|Davenport]]
* [[Eagle Lake, Florida|Eagle Lake]]
* [[Fort Meade, Florida|Fort Meade]]
* [[Frostproof, Florida|Frostproof]]
* [[Haines City, Florida|Haines City]]
* [[Lake Alfred, Florida|Lake Alfred]]
* [[Lakeland, Florida|Lakeland]]
* [[Lake Wales, Florida|Lake Wales]]
* [[Mulberry, Florida|Mulberry]]
* [[Polk City, Florida|Polk City]]
* [[Winter Haven, Florida|Winter Haven]]
{{div col end}}

===Towns===
* [[Dundee, Florida|Dundee]]
* [[Hillcrest Heights, Florida|Hillcrest Heights]]
* [[Lake Hamilton, Florida|Lake Hamilton]]

===Village===
* [[Highland Park, Florida|Highland Park]]

===Census-designated places===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Alturas, Florida|Alturas]]
* [[Babson Park, Florida|Babson Park]]
* [[Bradley Junction, Florida|Bradley Junction]]
* [[Combee Settlement, Florida|Combee Settlement]]
* [[Crooked Lake Park, Florida|Crooked Lake Park]]
* [[Crystal Lake, Polk County, Florida|Crystal Lake]]
* [[Cypress Gardens, Florida|Cypress Gardens]]
* [[Four Corners, Florida|Four Corners]]
* [[Fuller Heights, Florida|Fuller Heights]]
* [[Fussels Corner, Florida|Fussels Corner]]
* [[Grenelefe, Florida|Grenelefe]]
* [[Highland City, Florida|Highland City]]
* [[Homeland, Florida|Homeland]]
* [[Inwood, Florida|Inwood]]
* [[Jan Phyl Village, Florida|Jan Phyl Village]]
* [[Kathleen, Florida|Kathleen]]
* [[Lakeland Highlands, Florida|Lakeland Highlands]]
* [[Loughman, Florida|Loughman]]
* [[Medulla, Florida|Medulla]]
* [[Poinciana, Florida|Poinciana]]
* [[Wahneta, Florida|Wahneta]]
* [[Waverly, Florida|Waverly]]
* [[Willow Oak, Florida|Willow Oak]]
{{div col end}}

===Other unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
* [[Acton, Florida|Acton]]
* [[Galloway, Florida|Galloway]]
* [[Gibsonia, Florida|Gibsonia]]
* [[Griffin, Florida|Griffin]]
* [[Lakeshore, Florida|Lakeshore]]
* [[Mountain Lake, Florida|Mountain Lake]]
* [[Nalcrest, Florida|Nalcrest]]
* [[Pittsburg, Florida|Pittsburg]]
* [[Winston, Florida|Winston]]
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Polk County, Florida]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite book |last=Hendry |first=George Washington |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/25604428 |title=Polk County, Florida, its Lands and Products |date=1883 |publisher=Ashmead Bros. |location=Jacksonville, Fla. |language=English |oclc=25604428 |author-link=George W. Hendry}}
* [http://www.h-net.msu.edu/reviews/showrev.php?id=6024 online review of Brown, Canter, Jr. ''In the Midst of All That Makes Life Worth Living: Polk County, Florida, to 1940.'' (2001). 325 pp.]
* [http://www.h-net.msu.edu/reviews/showrev.php?id=10976 online review of Brown, Canter, Jr. ''None Can Have Richer Memories: Polk County, Florida 1940–2000'' (2005)]

==External links==
{{external links|date=March 2018}}
{{Commons category|Polk County, Florida}}

===Government links/Constitutional offices===
* [http://www.polk-county.net/ Polk County Government / Board of County Commissioners] official website
* [http://www.polkcountyclerk.net/ Polk County Clerk of Courts]
* [http://www.polkelections.com Polk County Supervisor of Elections]
* [http://www.polkpa.org Polk County Property Appraiser]
* [http://www.polksheriff.org/ Polk County Sheriff's Office]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041129233956/http://www.taxcollector.polk-county.net/ Polk County Tax Collector]

====Special districts====
* [http://www.polk-fl.net/ Polk County Public Schools]
* [http://www.sfwmd.gov South Florida Water Management District]
* [http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ Southwest Florida Water Management District]
* [http://www.lakesmgmtdist.com/  Lake Region Lakes Management District "Canal Commission"]

====Judicial branch====
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041204081304/http://www.pd10.org Public Defender, 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida] servings [[Hardee County, Florida|Hardee]], [[Highlands County, Florida|Highlands]], and Polk Counties
* [http://www.sao10.com/ Office of the State Attorney, 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041212092900/http://jud10.org/ 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida]

===Miscellaneous===
* [http://www.polkpartners.com/ Polk Partners], founded by the [[Lakeland, Florida|Lakeland]] Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater [[Winter Haven, Florida|Winter Haven]] Chamber of Commerce, Central Florida Development Council, and ''[[The Ledger]]''.
* [http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00028292 ''Polk County Democrat''] local newspaper for Polk County, Florida fully and openly available in the [http://ufdc.ufl.edu/fdnl1 Florida Digital Newspaper Library]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180421194047/http://www.polkcounty.info/ ''Polk County Guide''] online guide to attractions & events in Polk County, Florida
* [https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/48 Polk County Collection on the RICHES Mosaic Interface]

{{Florida}}
{{Polk County, Florida}}
{{Geography of Florida}}
{{Aviation in Polk County, Florida}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord|27.96|-81.70|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-FL_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Polk County, Florida| ]]
[[Category:Charter counties in Florida]]
[[Category:1861 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1861]]