Polk County Map, Florida, U.S.

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: November 01, 2026, 02:11 PM ET

Map of Polk County - Polk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. It's county seat is Bartow. Polk County Map showing cities, highways, important places and water bodies. Get Where is Polk County located in the map, major cities in Polk county, population, areas, and places of interest.

Map of Polk County, Florida

About Polk County, Florida

Polk County is located in the central part of Florida, in the state of the United States. The county was established in 1861 and was named after James K. Polk, the 11th President of the United States. The county seat is Bartow, and the largest city is Lakeland. Polk County serves as a major transportation and logistics hub within Central Florida and has a diverse economy supported by agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Polk County is 725,046 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 362 people per square mile.

Area and Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Polk County covers a total area of approximately 2,011 square miles (about 5,209 square kilometers), including about 1,798 square miles (4,657 square kilometers) of land and 213 square miles (552 square kilometers) of water. The county features rolling terrain, numerous lakes, citrus groves, and expanding residential communities, making it one of Florida’s largest inland counties.

Bordering Counties

Polk County shares boundaries with Lake County to the north, Orange County to the northeast, Osceola County to the east, Highlands County to the south, Hardee County to the southwest, Hillsborough County to the west, and Pasco County to the northwest.

Major Cities and Communities

Major cities and towns include Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Haines City, Davenport, and Auburndale.

Attractions and Recreation

Polk County offers numerous recreational attractions, including lakes suitable for boating and fishing, state parks, and theme park destinations such as LEGOLAND Florida in Winter Haven. Historic districts, gardens, and cultural events contribute to the county’s appeal for residents and visitors.

Transportation

Polk County is intersected by Interstate 4, which connects Tampa and Orlando, and U.S. Highway 27, providing north-south access through central Florida. The county’s location makes it an important logistics corridor within the state.

Explore more counties in Florida Counties or view the complete USA States Map section for additional geographic information.

Polk County has a humid subtropical climate, with hot and humid summers and mild winters. The county government is led by a board of commissioners and provides services such as law enforcement, public transportation, and emergency management.

Some popular attractions in Polk County include LEGOLAND Florida Resort, Bok Tower Gardens, and the Fantasy of Flight aviation museum. The county is also home to several annual events, including the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City and the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland.

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General county information referenced from the Official Polk County Government Website.

Facts about Polk County, Florida

CountryUnited States
StateFlorida
RegionCentral Florida
County SeatBartow
Named AfterJames K. Polk
Established1861
Organized1861
Coordinates27.9566° N, 81.6973° W
Total Area2,011 sq mi
Land Area1,797 sq mi
Water Area214 sq mi
Population (2020)725,046
Population RankOne of the most populous counties in Central Florida
Major CityLakeland
Main IndustriesAgriculture, Logistics, Manufacturing, Tourism
Major AirportLakeland Linder International Airport
Time ZoneEastern Time (UTC−05:00)
Known ForPhosphate mining, citrus industry, Legoland Florida
Websitehttps://www.polk-county.net

Ctities in Polk county

City NameTypePopulation (2020)Pop. DensityAreaIncorporated
AuburndaleCity15,616 9.3 sq mi (24.1 km2)1911
BartowCity19,309 52.3 sq mi (135.6 km2)1882
DavenportCity9,043 1.7 sq mi (4.2 km2)1915
DundeeTown5,235 4.3 sq mi (11.2 km2)1925
Eagle LakeCity3,008 1.4 sq mi (3.7 km2)1921
Fort MeadeCity5,100 5.0 sq mi (13.0 km2)1885
FrostproofCity3,273 2.5 sq mi (6.4 km2)1921
Haines CityCity26,669 8.9 sq mi (23.2 km2)1914
Highland ParkVillage264 0.7 sq mi (1.9 km2)1927
Hillcrest HeightsTown243 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)1923
Lake AlfredCity6,374 8.6 sq mi (22.2 km2)1918
Lake HamiltonTown1,537 3.9 sq mi (10.2 km2)1925
Lake WalesCity16,361 14.0 sq mi (36.3 km2)1917
LakelandCity112,641 74.4 sq mi (192.7 km2)1885
MulberryCity3,952 3.2 sq mi (8.3 km2)1901
Polk CityTown2,713 0.8 sq mi (2.0 km2)1925
Winter HavenCity49,219 25.4 sq mi (65.8 km2)1923

Top Attractions in Polk County, Florida

  • Bok Tower Gardens – Historic gardens and carillon tower.
  • LEGOLAND Florida Resort – Theme park and water park.
  • Downtown Lakeland – Shops, dining, and lakeside views.
  • Hollis Garden – Botanical garden downtown.
  • Circle B Bar Reserve – Wildlife viewing and trails.
  • Lake Mirror Park – Walking paths and events.
  • Florida Air Museum – Aviation history exhibits.
  • Lakeland Antique Mall – Large indoor antique market.
  • Fantasy of Flight (nearby access) – Vintage aircraft displays.
  • Scenic Lake & Citrus Drives – Rolling countryside views.

Highways in Polk

Interstate 4 , US 17, US 27, US 92, US 98 ,US 192 .

Nearest Airports

Nearest airport of Polk are Lakeland Linder International Airport, Bartow Municipal Airport, Lake Wales Municipal Airport, ack Browns Seaplane Base, Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport, South Lakeland Airport.