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Lakeland

#15 in Best Cities to Retire in America
  • B+
    Overall Grade
  • City in Florida
  • 340 reviews
    B+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Public Schools
      B-
    2. Crime & Safety
      C+
    3. Housing
      B-
    4. Nightlife
      B
    5. Good for Families
      B
    6. Diversity
      A
    7. Jobs
      B
    8. Weather
      A-
    9. Cost of Living
      B+
    10. Health & Fitness
      B-
    11. Outdoor Activities
      A-
    12. Commute
      B+
    View Full Report Card
    Lakeland is a city in Florida with a population of 104,165. Lakeland is in Polk County. Living in Lakeland offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Lakeland there are a lot of parks. Many young professionals and retirees live in Lakeland and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Lakeland are above average.
    About Lakeland...
    Population
    104,165

    Real Estate

    Median Home Value
    $119,700
    National
    $184,700
    Median Rent
    $931
    National
    $949
    Area Feel
    Dense Suburban
    Rent vs. Own
    • Rent
      44%
    • Own
      56%
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    Lakeland Rankings

    Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

    Lakeland Neighborhood Map

    • Public Schools
    • Private Schools
    • Colleges

      Crime & Safety

      Crime & Safety
      C+
      Based on violent and property crime rates.
      Violent Crimes
      • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
      National
      • Assault
        133.4
        282.7
      • Murder
        0.9
        6.1
      • Rape
        67.6
        40.7
      • Robbery
        82.5
        135.5
      Property Crimes
      • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
      National
      • Burglary
        531.8
        500.1
      • Theft
        2,999.2
        2,042.8
      • Motor Vehicle Theft
        194.6
        284

      Residents

      Diversity
      A
      Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
      Age
      • <10 years
        11%
      • 10-17 years
        9%
      • 18-24 years
        11%
      • 25-34 years
        12%
      • 35-44 years
        11%
      • 45-54 years
        12%
      • 55-64 years
        12%
      • 65+ years
        22%
      Education Levels
      National
      • Master's degree or higher
        9%
        12%
      • Bachelor's degree
        17%
        19%
      • Some college or associate's degree
        29%
        29%
      • High school diploma or equivalent
        34%
        28%
      • Less than high school diploma
        12%
        13%

      Working in Lakeland

      Jobs
      B
      Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
      Median Household Income
      $42,033
      National
      $55,322
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      Lakeland Reviews

      340 reviews
      All Categories
      Attending high school and doing many leisure activities in Lakeland has allowed me to appreciate the community. I am very grateful to be in such a town where the arts are supported, the city is very up to date and clean, and overall gives a strong welcome to those who are new. It is very comforting to have a reliable town that provides experiences for any mood. Without this city, I wouldn't be able to have many of the remarkable experiences it has provided me with!
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      Lakeland certainly has a diverse population with plenty of things to do. Living within 45 minutes of either Tampa or Orlando, you aren't far from the hot spots of Central Florida. Additionally, Lakeland is home to the Detroit Tigers for spring training, so the sports life is a huge deal around here. You'll find everything from hometown cafes to fine dining in the downtown area, as well as plenty of dietary-friendly establishments! Sometimes, things may seem quite political, especially around election years, but it's something you can usually ignore. Overall, Lakeland was the best choice I made when I moved to Florida from the North.
      Lakeland, Fl is a nice town with lots of things to do. I've lived in lakeland my entire life and really love it! Theres nice malls, restaurants, parks, shops, and many job opportunities. The traffic is always bad around the same time very single day; 5pm-6:30pm. Lakeland is a nice place to live and you'll always see someone you know no matter where you go!