Lakeland, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area

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The Lakeland, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area is a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) consisting of Polk County in the state of Florida in the USA. The principal city in the MSA is Lakeland. In 2005 the population of the MSA was 541,840.^[1] The Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area was first defined in 1973. Winter Haven was removed as a principal city and the name changed to its present form in 2003.

Lakeland is the most populous city in Polk county, with a 2000 population of 78,742. The other main Polk municipalities of Bartow (the county seat), Winter Haven, Lake Wales, and Haines City are smaller: Winter Haven had a 2000 population of 26,487, all other cities had populations below 16,000. In 2000 only 37% of county residents lived in incorporated metropolitan areas.^[2]

Growth in Polk County is driven by nearness 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 1990-2000, unincorporated areas grew 25%, while incorporated areas grew only 11%. In addition to developing cottage communities for commuters, there is evidence in Haines City of suburban sprawl into unincorporated areas.

Polk County is the headquarters of Publix Supermarkets, a regional grocery chain and Polk's top private employer, as well as W. S. Badcock Corporation, Watkins Motor Lines, Saddle Creek Corporation, and IMC Agrico. Polk's location along the I-4 corridor is attracting warehouse and fulfillment center development in the north part of the county.