A thriving City of over 100,000 residents, Lakeland is the largest city in Polk County and the 21st most populated city in Florida. Incorporated in 1885 and situated in the center of Florida, Lakeland’s economic base consists of warehouse, transportation and distribution, education, healthcare, manufacturing and retail. Built upon historic character, philanthropy and volunteerism, Lakeland offers its residents, businesses and visitors a true sense of place.
Lakeland has received the distinction of being on Money Magazine’s “Best Place to Live in America” list. In addition, Lakeland is home to Publix Supermarkets, Florida Southern College, which hosts the largest one-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, and is the winter home to the Detroit Tigers.
The City of Lakeland offers an exceptional quality of life. A firm commitment to downtown development, redevelopment, historic preservation, cultural amenities, and an exceptional business-friendly environment has helped Lakeland to thrive for 125 years. Growth and progress exemplify our City all the while maintaining a sense of history and a hometown feel.
The City of Lakeland’s Vision is one of a vibrant, culturally inclusive, world class community, while it’s Mission is a community working together to provide an exceptional quality of life. To that end, the City of Lakeland operates under the Commission/Manager system of government, and has done so for over 85 years.
The City offers its residents a full array of municipal services, including water/wastewater utilities, solid waste & recycling, a municipal-owned electric generation and distribution utility that is ranked as the 3rd largest in the state and among the top 25 nationwide, Planning, Zoning, Parks & Recreation, Libraries, Cleveland Heights Golf Course, The Lakeland Center (Convention and Civic Center), a regional airport, Public Works, General Government services and public safety in the form of Police and Fire. The organization’s annual budget is approximately $550 million and employs approximately 2,600 personnel; 2,100 of them full time. The City is also home to the Detroit Tigers during Major League Baseball’s Spring Training; the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Annual Sun ’n Fun Fly-in, recognized as America’s second largest aviation event of its type and Florida Southern College, which features the world’s largest one-site collection of buildings designed by the legendary architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.