Polk County

Where Is Polk County?

Polk County is the westernmost county in the Greater Orlando region. It sits between Orlando and Tampa along the I-4 corridor. It covers approximately 2,010 square miles and is one of the largest counties in Florida by area.

Polk County is bordered by Lake and Orange counties to the east, Osceola and Highlands counties to the southeast, Hardee and Manatee counties to the south and southwest, Hillsborough and Pasco counties to the west, and Sumter and Lake counties to the north.

Major Communities

• Davenport is a growing city along the I-4 corridor in northeastern Polk County. It is one of the most active new-construction areas in the region, with numerous master-planned communities and builders. Davenport is popular with buyers looking for newer homes at more affordable price points.
• Lakeland is the largest city in Polk County and the third-largest city in Central Florida. It has its own downtown, economy, cultural institutions (including Florida Southern College and the Polk Museum of Art), and a distinct identity separate from the Orlando metro. Lakeland is home to the Florida Polytechnic University and the Lakeland Linder International Airport.
• Winter Haven is known for its chain of lakes, the former Cypress Gardens site (now Legoland Florida), and a revitalizing downtown area. The city sits between Lakeland and the I-4 corridor.
• ChampionsGate straddles the Osceola/Polk County line along I-4. The Polk County side includes significant residential development and is one of the most active new-construction areas in the region.
• Poinciana straddles the Osceola/Polk County line and is one of the largest master-planned communities in the region.
• Four Corners is a cross-county community at the intersection of Lake, Osceola, Orange, and Polk counties.

Transportation

I-4 runs through the northern part of Polk County, connecting Davenport, ChampionsGate, and the Lakeland area to both Orlando and Tampa. The Florida Turnpike also serves parts of the county. Commute times from Davenport to downtown Orlando typically range from 35 to 55 minutes. Lakeland is approximately 50 miles west of downtown Orlando.

Housing and New Construction

Polk County has some of the most active new-construction in the region, particularly in the Davenport, ChampionsGate, and Poinciana areas. Multiple national builders are active in the county. Price points are generally lower than comparable communities in Orange or Seminole counties, making Polk County attractive to buyers seeking newer homes at more accessible price points.

Things to Consider

• Davenport and ChampionsGate are along the I-4 tourist corridor, which can bring tourist traffic during peak seasons.
• Lakeland is a distinct metropolitan area with its own economy. Some Lakeland residents commute to Orlando, but many work locally.
• Polk County covers a large area. Drive times within the county can vary significantly.
• New-construction communities along the I-4 corridor may have CDD fees in addition to HOA fees.
• The Polk County portion of Poinciana is governed separately from the Osceola County portion in some respects.