Market Overview
Lakeland is in Polk County, Central Florida. It is 30 miles northeast of Tampa. Named after its many lakes, Lakeland has the typical Florida warm season from May through October with daytime temperatures above 86 degrees and evening temps averaging 73 degrees. It has a short cool season – less than three months from December to February. The high temperatures in those months are below 75 degrees and lows are in the 50’s.
Lakeland had a population of 108,054 in 2017, with an annual growth rate of 1.84%. Its job market has increased by 2.9% over the last year. The ten-year job growth is predicted to be 42.5%. Lakeland also has a low cost of living.
With the exception of Orlando, Central Florida communities don't have the added bonus of tourism as an industry. Much of the job market is made up of transportation and service providers. The major employers in those include Saddle Creek Logistics Services, Sykes and GC Services. Education and health care is also a big area of job opportunities. Florida Polytechnic University, Polk State College and Lakeland Regional Medical Center are big employers in Lakeland. Publix is based in Lakeland. Amazon and Geico are also big employers there.
Lakeland’s robust job market in education, logistics services and health care combined with the low cost of living make it a desirable place to live in Central Florida.
Real estate market data in Lakeland
Average Monthly Rent:
$1,094
Percentage Change in Home Price/Value:
5.70%
Median Home Value:
$164,600
Best Time To Sell Home:
September
Affordability Index:
146.8
Days To Sell House:
65.5
Job Market:
Fair
Public School Ranking:
26
