Polk County, Florida

Polk County, Florida
Polk County courthouse in Bartow

Seal

Location in the state of Florida

Florida's location in the U.S.
Founded 8 February 1861
Seat Bartow
Largest city Lakeland
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water
2,009.99 sq mi (5,206 km²)
1,874.38 sq mi (4,855 km²)
135.60 sq mi (351 km²), 6.75%
Population
 - (2010)
 - Density
602,095
321/sq mi (124.01/km²)
Website www.polk-county.net

Polk County is located in central Florida between the Tampa Bay and Greater Orlando metropolitan areas. The county was established by the state government in 1861 on the eve of the American Civil War and named after former United States president James K. Polk. The county seat is Bartow[1] and its largest city is Lakeland. The center of population of Florida is located in the city of Lake Wales within Polk County.[2] The 2010 Census put the county's population at 602,095.[3]

Polk County is coextensive with the Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) designated by the Office of Management and Budget and used for statistical purposes by the Census Census and other agencies. Lakeland and Winter Haven are designated as the MSA's principal cities. The Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area was first defined in 1973. Winter Haven was removed as a principal city in 2003, but was added again in 2007.[4]

Winter Haven was best known as the home of Cypress Gardens, a theme park which closed Sept. 23, 2009.[5] The city is now home to the theme park Legoland Florida, built on the site of Cypress Gardens. Country musician Gram Parsons was from a wealthy family in Winter Haven. Winter Haven was also home to the first Publix supermarket circa 1930 and Lakeland, Florida is where Publix's Corporate Offices are located. The town of Bartow was named in honor of Francis S. Bartow, the first Confederate officer to die in the American Civil War.

Contents

History

The first people to call Polk County home arrived close to 12,000 years ago during the last ice age as the first paleo-indians arrived on the peninsula of Florida as they followed big game southward.[6][7] By this time, the peninsula had gone through several expansions and contractions; at times the peninsula was much wider than it is today, while at other times it was almost entirely submerged with only a few small islands above sea level. These first paleo-indians were nomadic hunter/gatherers who did not establish any permanent settlers and they eventually gave way to the "archaic people" who were the ancestors of the Indians who came in contact with the Spaniards when they arrived on the peninsula. These Indians thrived on the peninsula and it is estimated that there were over 250,000 in 1492 when Columbus set sail for the New World. As was common elsewhere, the Indians' contact with Europeans had a devastating effect on the Indians. Small Pox, Measles and other diseases the Indians had no immunity for caused widespread epidemic and death.[7][8] Those who had not succumbed to diseases such as Small Pox or Yellow Fever were either killed or enslaved. Eventually the remnants of these tribes would merge together with Creek Indians who arrived from the north and become the Seminole Indian tribe.[7] Within a few hundred years, nearly the entire pre-columbian population of Polk County had been wiped out. The remnants of these Indians joined with renegade Creek Indians from Georgia and The Carolinas to form the Seminole Indian Tribe.

For around 250 years after Ponce De Leon arrived on the peninsula, the Spanish ruled Florida. In the late 17th century, Florida went through an unstable period in which the French and British ruled the peninsula. After the American Revolution, the peninsula briefly reverted back to Spanish rule. In 1819, Florida became a U.S. territory as a result of the Adams-Onis Treaty.

Polk County became Florida's 39th county on February 8, 1861, when the State of Florida divided Hillsborough County into eastern and western halves. The eastern half was named Polk, in honor of the 11th President of the United States, James Knox Polk. Polk was sworn in as president on the day after Florida's March 3, 1845 statehood; thus Polk was the earliest U.S. President to govern Florida as a state for a full presidential term.

Following the Civil War, the county commission established the county seat on 120 acres (0.49 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 officer to die in battle during the first battle of the Civil War. Colonel Bartow was buried in Savannah, GA with military honors, and promoted posthumously to the rank of brigadier general. Fort Blount, as Bartow was then known, in a move to honor one of the first fallen heroes of the Confederacy, was one of several towns and counties in the South that changed their name to Bartow. The first courthouse built in Bartow was constructed in 1867. 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.

Recent history

Growth in Polk County is driven by 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 1990-2000, 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. Despite the impressive growth rate, the unemployment rate of Polk has typically been higher than that of the entire state.[9] In August 2010, the county had an unemployment rate of 13.4% compared to 11.7% for the entire state.[9]

During the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season, three hurricanes, Charley, Frances and Jeanne all tracked over Polk County, intersecting in a triangle that includes the city of Bartow, Florida.[10]

Geography and climate

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 2,009.99 square miles (5,205.9 km2), of which 1,874.38 square miles (4,854.6 km2) (or 93.25%) is land and 135.60 square miles (351.2 km2) (or 6.75%) is water.[11]

The Lakeland-Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area encompasses the entirety of, and only, Polk County.

Adjacent counties

Due to its size and central location in the state, Polk County shares borders with more counties than any other in the state, nine. Polk County nearly borders Orange County and is considered by many to be adjacent although the two counties do not technically share a border. The counties are:

Climate

Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1870 3,169
—
1880 3,181 0.4%
1890 7,905 148.5%
1900 12,472 57.8%
1910 24,148 93.6%
1920 38,661 60.1%
1930 72,291 87.0%
1940 86,665 19.9%
1950 123,997 43.1%
1960 195,139 57.4%
1970 227,222 16.4%
1980 321,652 41.6%
1990 405,382 26.0%
2000 483,924 19.4%
2010 602,095 24.4%
[16][17][18]
Polk County Comparative Demographics
U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 Est. Polk County[19] Florida[20] United States[19]
Total population 570,116 15,982,378 281,421,906
Owner-occupied housing, median value $150,400 $230,600 $185,200
Median household income $44,633 $45,495 $48,451
Families below poverty level 10.5% 9.0% 9.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher 17.8% 25.3% 27.0%
Foreign born 10.6% 18.9% 12.5%
White 77.7% 76.1% 73.9%
Black 13.7% 15.4% 12.4%
Hispanic (any race) 15.4% 20.1% 12.8%
Asian 1.4% 2.2% 4.4%

As of the census[21] of 2000, there were 483,924 people, 187,233 households, and 132,373 families residing in the county. The population density was 258 people per square mile (100/km²). There were 226,376 housing units at an average density of 121 per square mile (47/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.58% White, 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. 9.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. In 2000 only 37% of county residents lived in incorporated metropolitan areas.[22]

There were 187,233 households, of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.40% were married couples living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% have someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county the population was spread out, with 24.40% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 18.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,036, and the median income 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. Out of the total population, 19.10% were under the age of 18 and 8.10% were 65 or older.

Cities and towns

According to the 2010 Census, just under 38% of the population of the county lives in one of Polk's seventeen incorporated municipalities.[3] The largest city, Lakeland has over 97,000 residents and is located in the western edge of the county. The other core city of the metropolitan area, Winter Haven, is located in the eastern part of the county and has 34,000 residents. The county seat, 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.[23][24]

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 just west of Winter Haven and Lake Wales is around 16 miles east of Bartow.

Other cities and towns in the county include Davenport, Dundee, Eagle Lake, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Highland Park, Hillcrest Heights, Lake Alfred, Lake Hamilton, Mulberry, and Polk City.

Economy

Polk County's economy is supported by a workforce of over 275,000 in 2010.[25] Traditionally, the largest industries in Polk's economy have been phosphate mining, agriculture, and tourism.[26]

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, the election is held countywide.[27] 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, county commissioners are subject to recall. The commissioners elect a chairman and vice-chairman annually. The chairman then 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 Florida Sunshine laws.[27]

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.[25] The commission is responsible for providing appropriations for other countywide offices including the sheriff, property appraiser, tax collector and supervisor of elections. 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 which provide recreational and cultural opportunities.

Presidential elections results
Year Republican Democratic Other
2008 52.5% 46.3% 0.6%
2004 58.6% 40.8% 0.6%
2000 53.6% 44.6% 1.8%
1996 45.3% 44.4% 10.3%
1992 45.2% 35.3% 19.5%
1988 66.4% 33.0% 0.6%

Education

Polk County Public Schools serves the county.

Universities and Colleges

Intelligent Design Controversy

In November 2007, four Polk County School Board members interviewed by The Ledger daily newspaper said they would support a resolution advising the Florida Board of Education to revise proposed science standards to include alternative theories to evolution.[28] Responses from the Flying Spaghetti Monster group, anti-creationist Wesley R. Elsberry, and others in the scientific community made the board retract their statements.[29]

Transportation

See also

References

  1. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
  2. ^ United States Census Bureau
  3. ^ a b "Census: Polk's Population Larger, More Diverse". The Ledger. http://www.theledger.com/article/20110317/NEWS/110319792. Retrieved 2011-09-26. 
  4. ^ "Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses (OMB Bulletin 08 - 01)" (CSV). Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President. 2007-11-20. http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/fy2008/b08-01.pdf. Retrieved 2008-11-19. 
  5. ^ The Ledger - retrieved August 25, 2011
  6. ^ "Ancient Native". HOTOA. http://www.ancientnative.org/tao.php. Retrieved 2010-09-09. 
  7. ^ a b c "Polk County History". Polk Counjty Historical Association. http://www.polkcountyhistory.org/History.asp. Retrieved 2010-09-11. 
  8. ^ Weibel, B. "Trail of Florida's Ancient Heritage". active.com. http://attractions.uptake.com/blog/florida-native-american-museums-7383.html. Retrieved 2010-09-09. 
  9. ^ a b "Unemployment Rate Polk County, FL". The Ledger. http://www.ledgerdata.com/unemployment/. Retrieved 2010-10-08. 
  10. ^ Bossak, Brian H. (April 2005). ""X" Marks the Spot: Florida, the 2004 Hurricane Bull’s-Eye". Sound Waves. United States Geological Survey. http://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2005/04/Bossakarticle.pdf. Retrieved 26 March 2010. 
  11. ^ "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. http://www.census.gov/tiger/tms/gazetteer/county2k.txt. Retrieved 2011-02-13. 
  12. ^ "Monthly Averages for Bartow, FL". The Weather Channel Interactive, Inc. 2010. http://www.weather.com/outlook/homeandgarden/garden/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/33830. Retrieved 2010-09-05. 
  13. ^ "Climatography of the United States No. 81 (1971–2000)" (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2002-02. http://cdo.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim81/VAnorm.pdf. Retrieved 2010-03-23. 
  14. ^ "Average Weather for Lakeland, FL - Temperature and Precipitation". Weather.com. http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/fitness/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USFL0267. Retrieved August 27, 2010. 
  15. ^ "Monthly Averages for Winter Haven, FL". The Weather Channel Interactive, Inc. 2010. http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/fitness/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USFL0524. Retrieved 2010-09-05. 
  16. ^ http://www.census.gov/population/www/censusdata/cencounts/files/fl190090.txt
  17. ^ http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_QTPL&prodType=table
  18. ^ http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/
  19. ^ a b "Polk County, Florida Fact Sheet". U.S. Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=05000US12011&_geoContext=01000US. Retrieved 2008-01-05. 
  20. ^ "Florida Fact Sheet". U.S. Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=&geo_id=04000US12&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US12%7C05000US12011&_street=&_county=broward+county&_cityTown=broward+county&_state=04000US12&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=050&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2006_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry=. Retrieved 2008-01-05. 
  21. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  22. ^ Polk County Demographic Profile (Central Florida Development Council) - retrieved June 1, 2007
  23. ^ "Publication 04-39-087". University of Florida. p. 5. http://fipr1.state.fl.us/fipr/fipr1.nsf/0/7bdd9643b1c47a2485256b2f00569595/$FILE/04-039-087Final.pdf. Retrieved 2010-10-17. 
  24. ^ "Map of Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven showing 'triangle'". google.com. http://www.indo.com/cgi-bin/dist?place1=Bartow,+Fl&place2=Orlando,+Fl. Retrieved 2010-10-17. 
  25. ^ a b "Polk County Profile". Enterprise Florida. http://www.eflorida.com/profiles/CountyReport.asp?CountyID=34&Display=all. Retrieved 2011-10-27. 
  26. ^ "Polk's Profile". Polk County Board of County Commissioners. http://www.polk-county.net/subpage.aspx?menu_id=8&nav=res&id=120. Retrieved 2011-10-27. 
  27. ^ a b "Board of County Commissioners". Polk County Website. http://www.polk-county.net/subpage.aspx?menu_id=70&nav=gov&id=124. Retrieved 2011-9-27. 
  28. ^ "Majority Opposes Science Proposal". The Ledger. http://www.theledger.com/article/20071120/NEWS/711200414/1039. Retrieved 2010-10-01. 
  29. ^ "Polk Needled, Noodled In Evolution Flap". TBO. http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/dec/22/na-polk-needled-noodled-in-evolution-flap/. Retrieved 2010-10-01. 

External links

Government links/Constitutional offices

Special districts

Judicial branch

Miscellaneous

Municipalities and communities of Polk County, Florida, USA
Cities
Towns
Village
CDPs
Unincorporated
communities
Footnotes

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
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Metro areas
Largest cities
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