Lakeland had an estimated 125,520 residents on July 1, 2025, up 11.4% from the 2020 census count of 112,641, Census Bureau figures show.
Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Every figure on this page comes from the U.S. Census Bureau and is linked to the table it came from. Questions about Census data: the Census Bureau’s customer line, 1-800-923-8282. This page is updated when the bureau publishes new figures.
Lakeland had an estimated 125,520 residents on July 1, 2025, according to the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 city and town population estimates. That is 12,879 more people (11.4%) than the 2020 census count of 112,641 and 28,098 more (28.8%) than the 2010 census count of 97,422. The Census Bureau’s QuickFacts page for Lakeland gathers the main figures in one place.
What this means for you
- Lakeland is still growing, but slowly: 631 more people from 2024 to 2025, the smallest gain since 2020.
- Polk County has grown almost twice as fast as the city since 2020: 20.7% against 11.4%.
- Just over half of Lakeland homes, 56.4%, are lived in by their owners, against 70.5% countywide.
Growth since 2010
| Year | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 97,422 | 2010 census, April 1 |
| 2020 | 112,641 | 2020 census, April 1 |
| 2021 | 117,420 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2022 | 120,693 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2023 | 123,221 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2024 | 124,889 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2025 | 125,520 | Estimate, July 1 |
The city added more than 3,000 people a year in 2021 and 2022, then growth tapered: about 2,500 in 2023, about 1,700 in 2024 and 631 in 2025.
Lakeland, Polk County and the neighbors
Polk County had an estimated 874,790 residents in 2025, up from 725,046 in the 2020 census and 602,095 in 2010. Lakeland is the county’s largest city, with about one in seven county residents.
| Place | 2025 estimate | Growth since 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeland | 125,520 | 11.5% |
| Winter Haven, about 14 miles east | 62,313 | 23.9% |
| Plant City (Hillsborough County), about 10 miles west | 44,118 | 10.7% |
| Bartow, about 14 miles southeast | 23,617 | 20.0% |
| Auburndale, about 10 miles east | 21,369 | 37.2% |
| Polk County | 874,790 | 20.7% |
| Florida | 23,462,518 | 8.9% |
Growth in this table is measured from the Census Bureau’s April 1, 2020, estimates base (112,604 for Lakeland), so Lakeland’s figure differs slightly from the 11.4% measured from the census count.
Who lives in Lakeland
These figures come from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimates, which average five years of survey responses.
| Measure | Lakeland | Polk County | Table |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.9 years | 39.5 years | DP05 |
| Under 18 | 19.0% | 22.0% | DP05 |
| 65 and older | 21.5% | 19.5% | DP05 |
| Households | 47,816 | 289,425 | DP02 |
| Average household size | 2.33 | 2.68 | DP02 |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher (25 and older) | 29.4% | 23.5% | DP02 |
| Median household income | $64,185 | $65,978 | DP03 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.2% | 14.5% | DP03 |
Housing
| Measure | Lakeland | Polk County | Table |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing units | 54,896 | 340,748 | DP04 |
| Owner-occupied | 56.4% | 70.5% | DP04 |
| Vacant | 12.9% | 15.1% | DP04 |
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $249,400 | $266,500 | DP04 |
| Median gross rent | $1,395 | $1,363 | DP04 |
Owners’ own estimates of value lag the market; see Lakeland home prices for current sale prices and Zillow’s value index.
How to read these numbers
- Census counts (2010, 2020) are full counts as of April 1. Estimates are the bureau’s July 1 calculations from births, deaths and migration.
- ACS figures are survey estimates with margins of error, shown on each linked table.
- “Lakeland” here means the city within its limits. Many addresses with a Lakeland mailing address are outside the city and not counted in it.
Related: moving to Lakeland, Lakeland schools guide and history and landmarks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Lakeland, Florida?
An estimated 125,520 on July 1, 2025, according to the Census Bureau. The 2020 census counted 112,641 residents.
How fast is Lakeland growing?
Lakeland grew 11.4% from the 2020 census to the 2025 estimate, and 28.8% since the 2010 census. Growth slowed to 631 people from 2024 to 2025.
Is Lakeland the largest city in Polk County?
Yes. Its 2025 estimate of 125,520 is about twice that of Winter Haven, the county’s next largest city, at 62,313.
What is the median household income in Lakeland?
$64,185, in the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 2020-2024 estimates, against $65,978 for Polk County.
What is the median age in Lakeland?
38.9 years, slightly younger than Polk County’s 39.5. About 21.5% of Lakeland residents are 65 or older.
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