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Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 78,452 and is the largest city in Polk County. 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. The city is also the spring training home of the Detroit Tigers. A few of the more notable sites in Lakeland are the Promenade of Lake Mirror, the Polk Theatre and the Polk Museum of Art. Lakeland also has several historic districts with many large buildings built during the 1920s and 1940s. Lakeland's sister cities are; Richmond Hill in Canada, Imabari in Japan, and Bălţi in Moldova.
History
Geography
Demographics As of the census 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. The local radio stations are: George W. Jenkins High School 2006 State of Florida Academic FCAT Performance Grade: B * 2006 State of Florida Academic "Adequate Yearly Progress": Yes* Founded in 1993 and named after Publix founder George W. Jenkins, George Jenkins High School is a twenty-five million dollar facility situated on a ninety-five acre site in the southeast area of Lakeland. The school's mission statement is to "provide quality education for every student in a challenging and caring atmosphere through dedication to educational excellence and commitment to the community." * The school mascot is the Eagle. The school has received the "Five Star School" award from the Florida Commissioner of Education for 1995-1996, 1996-1997, and 1997-1998. The award recognized schools with exemplary community involvement. Kathleen High School 2006 State of Florida Academic FCAT Performance Grade: D* 2006 State of Florida Academic "Adequate Yearly Progress": No* Kathleen High School was the second high school in the city, pre-dating Lake Gibson by several decades. It was originally housed north of its present location, at the site of the current Kathleen Middle School. Ray Lewis, Super Bowl MVP with the Baltimore Ravens, is an alumnus, as is Chris Richard, a forward on the 2006 National Champion Florida Gator basketball team. The school's colors, red and white, were chosen when the school formed its first football team: a local farmer donated red jerseys. The mascot, the Red Devil, has occasionally been a source of controversy for some of the community's more outspoken Christian leaders. It is currently the smallest of the city's public high schools, and draws its students from many of the city's poorest areas. However, recent development in the northern part of the city may alter this balance. The school's library features a little-known piece of student art, a red mural painted on a pane of glass in the late 1960s. Lakeland High School 2006 State of Florida Academic FCAT Performance Grade: C* 2006 State of Florida Academic "Adequate Yearly Progress": No* Lakeland High School was the original high school in the city. Its mascot is the dreadnaught. Named after the British battleship HMS Dreadnought, the name was brought to LHS in the 1920s by a 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. * The school has three intra-city rivals: the traditional two being Kathleen and Lake Gibson, and the newest being George Jenkins High School. Lake Gibson High School Established: 1979 Mascot: Braves Colors: Garnet & Gold Florida Southern College Founded in 1885, Florida Southern College has a strong liberal arts core, as well as notable pre-professional programs (including business, communications, pre-medical, pre-law, nursing, education, sciences, as well as others). The college is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and welcomes students from all faith backgrounds and cultures. The college is nationally acclaimed for academic excellence, exceptional student life programs, and championship athletics. Florida Southern is consistently ranked in the Top 10 colleges in its U.S. News & World Report category. It is also listed in The Princeton Review’s Best Southeastern Colleges, based on FSC students’ satisfaction votes. Polk Community College Over 24,000 degrees have been awarded by Polk Community College since it's opening in 1964 and an even larger number of people have taken college courses for transfer or to obtain job entry skills. The main campus is located in the neighboring town of Winter Haven. In 1978, the College acquired a 130-acre citrus grove, adjacent to Traviss Technical Center, as the site of a second campus that would serve the population in the Lakeland and Bartow area. Ten years later, PCC, in conjunction with the University of South Florida, opened the first of eight buildings (LAC) at the Lakeland campus. In August 1991, a second academic building (LLC) was completed on the Lakeland campus, relocating 25 full-time faculty and equipping the new library, classrooms and learning labs with over 125 PCs and associated hardware and software. Additional classrooms, offices, and labs are part of the USF/PCC Joint Use Technology Building set to open December 2006. Southeastern University of the Assemblies of God Southeastern University of the Assemblies of God, an Assemblies of God university, welcomes students from a variety of denominations. The setting for this Mediterranean-styled campus in Lakeland, Florida, consists of Palm trees and orange groves. Students enjoy a year-round average temperature of 72 degrees. Situated between two lakes on more than 68 acres, this location provides students easy access to the cultural and recreational opportunities of nearby Tampa, Orlando and the Florida Sun Coast. Other University of South Florida currently shares a campus with PCC, but has started plans for a 15,000-student, four-year campus just outside incorporated Lakeland. Historic districts Buildings and locations Notable Lakelanders Sister Cities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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