Lakeland, Florida

Encyclopedia : L : LA : LAK : Lakeland, Florida

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

Located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4, Lakeland was first settled in the 1870s, and developed as the railroad reached the area in 1884. Lakeland is home to Florida Southern College, the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world, and one of the first Hindu temples in the United States. Publix Super Markets is also headquartered here. The first Red Lobster restaurant was opened here. One of the largest church buildings east of Texas is located in Lakeland, Carpenter's Home Church.

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

Lakeland is the "twin city" of Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. Go to [Lakeland Florida .net] for more information about Lakeland.

Lakeland recently lost one of its lakes, Scott Lake, to 5 sinkholes. See external links for details.

Contents

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Media
4 Attractions and points of interest
5 Notable Lakelanders
6 External links
7 School Information
8 Lakeland High School

Geography

Lakeland is located at [28°2′28″N, 81°57′32″W] (28.041248, -81.958978)^{[Geographic references#1GR1]}. Lakeland is 141 feet above sea level.

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

Demographics

As of the census^{[Geographic references#2GR2]} of 2000, there were 78,452 people, 33,509 households, and 20,373 families residing in the city. The population density was 660.8/km² (1,711.3/mi²). There were 38,980 housing units at an average density of 328.3/km² (850.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 73.52% White, 21.26% African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.34% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.76% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.41% of the population.

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

In the city the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 23.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,119, and the median income for a family was $40,468. Males had a median income of $32,137 versus $23,771 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,760. About 10.7% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.2% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

Media

The local newspaper is The Ledger. Local information Web site Lakeland Florida .net

The local radio stations are:

WLKF 1430 AM
WONN 1230 AM
WWAB 1330 AM
WPCV 97.5 FM
WWRZ 98.3 FM

Attractions and points of interest

Downtown Historical District
Florida Southern College
Carpenter's Home Church, a megachurch with seating capacity of 10,000.
Lake Mirror Promenade
Lake Parker Park
Lakeland Center
Lakeland Public Library
Munn Park
Polk Community College
Polk Museum of Art
Polk Theatre
Silver Moon Drive-In
Southeastern University of the Assemblies of God
Tiger Town, home of the Lakeland Tigers, a baseball club of the Florida State League
University of South Florida, Lakeland campus

Notable Lakelanders

Lindsey Alley, former Mouseketeer of the New Mickey Mouse Club and actress.
Andy Bean, PGA golfer.
Lawton Chiles, now deceased former Senator and Governor of Florida.
Rhea Durham, Victoria's Secret model
Paul Edinger, NFL player.
Faith Evans, Singer.
Lee Janzen, PGA golfer who has won the U.S. Open twice.
George W. Jenkins, founder of Publix Super Markets.
Frances Langford, famous singer, actress, and radio star during the 1930s and 1940s.
Ray Lewis, NFL player; Super Bowl champion
Howard Marshall, Former NASA scientist, former Cypress Gardens ski performer, PCC Collegiate High School teacher.
Rocco Mediate, PGA golfer.
Freddie Mitchell, Former NFL Player
R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Joe Nemechek and Wayne Anderson, NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers.
John Wesley "Boog" Powell, MLB player.
Andrew Reynolds, Professional skateboarder
Forrest Sawyer, NBC reporter and anchor.
Rod Smart, NFL player; former XFL player "He Hate Me".

[Maps and aerial photos] Coordinates: [28.041248° -81.958978°]
* Street map from [Google Maps] or [Yahoo! Maps]
* Topographic map from [TopoZone]
* Aerial image or topographic map from [TerraServer-USA]
* Satellite image from [Google Maps] or [Windows Live Local]

School Information

Lakeland High School

Lakeland High School was the original high school in the city. Its mascot, if it can be called one, is the dreadnaught. Named after the British battleship HMS Dreadnought, the name was brought to LHS in the 1920s by stern but beloved Scottish schoolmaster. The school motto is nulli secundus -- second to none. Lakeland High is home to a highly competitive high school football team that was ranked number one nationally in 2005. [link]The school has three intra-city rivals: the traditional two being Kathleen and Lake Gibson, and the newer being George Jenkins High.

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