81-594: Haines City is a city in Polk County , Florida, United States. Its population was 26,669 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Lakeland – Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area . Haines City was platted in 1885, shortly after the South Florida Railroad reached the area. The city was first known as " Clay Cut ", but there was no railroad station. It is said that the inhabitants persuaded
162-603: A council-manager system, with five City Commissioners elected at large who appoint a City Manager and other officials in the city administration. The approximate coordinates for the City of Haines City is located at 28°06′37″N 81°36′56″W / 28.11028°N 81.61556°W / 28.11028; -81.61556 , within the Central Florida Highlands area of the Atlantic coastal plain , part of
243-510: A humid subtropical climate ( Köppen Cfa ). It lies in the USDA plant hardiness zone 9b , where the average annual minimum temperature is 25–30 °F (−4 – −1 °C). The last measurable snow in the county fell in 1977 , but snow flurries and sleet fell on January 8, 2010 , over the course of an hour on an exceptionally cold day. During the summer rainy season from June to September, sea breezes from both coasts move inland, where
324-781: A U.S. territory as a result of the Adams-Onis Treaty . In 1823, the Treaty of Moultrie Creek created a reservation in central Florida for the Seminoles and other Native Americans in Florida. What is now Polk County was within the boundaries of that reservation. An attempt to remove all Native Americans in Florida to west of the Mississippi River, starting in 1832, led to the Second Seminole War . Most of
405-427: A female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were not families; 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.52, and the average family size was 2.96. In the county, the age distribution was 24.4% under 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 or older. The median age
486-461: A female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were not families. About 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% (3.4% male and 7.6% female) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.59, and the average family size was 3.05. In the county, the age distribution was 23.5% under 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 or older. The median age
567-656: A gust of 54 kn (100 km/h; 62 mph) at Gilbert Airport on the northwest side of the city. As of the 2020 United States census , 725,046 people, 240,879 households, and 165,183 families were residing in the county. U.S. Census Bureau 2010 Ethnic/Race Demographics: In 2010, the largest ancestry groups were: 12.2% German, 11.6% American, 11.2% English, 10.8% Irish, 7.6% Mexican, 5.8% Puerto Rican, 4.1% Italian, 2.6% French, 2.1% Polish, 2.0% Scotch-Irish, 1.8% Scottish, 1.5% Dutch, and 1.2% Cuban. Of the227,485 households, 27.3% had children under 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 13.7% had
648-491: A household in the city was $ 27,636, and the median income for a family was $ 30,678. Males had a median income of $ 21,806 versus $ 19,279 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 13,818. About 14.7% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.3% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over. The major highways in the Haines City area are: The streets are laid out in
729-449: A location outside the county to tropical storm force at some point within the county and, given the hours between National Hurricane Center updates (modern era) or earlier estimates, it is not clear whether these brought hurricane-force sustained winds to Polk County: Hurricane Frances (2004), Hurricane Erin (1995) Hurricane Two of the 1939 season , and the 1910 Cuba hurricane (category 1). Numerous tropical storms have passed through
810-413: A mass lynching on May 25, 1895, accused of rape. While others were killed for alleged crimes (never proven), one black man was lynched for supposedly insulting a white woman. The man, Henry Scott, was a porter on a train from Lakeland to Bartow. While he was preparing a berth for one woman on May 20, 1920, another white woman became angry that he made her wait. She sent a telegram to the next station where he
891-521: A maximum thickness of about 3 kilometers (10,000 ft) in the vicinity of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina . Despite being previously overlooked in research, the Atlantic Coastal Plain is now identified as a global biodiversity hotspot, with over 1500 endemic plant species, and ~70% habitat loss. This endemism is particularly high in the longleaf pine savannas and woodlands , along with the other herbaceous and fire dependent ecosystems of
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#1732780826349972-694: A powerful chief based in southern Lake County or eastern Orange County . For the next 280 years , the Spanish (and, between 1763 and 1783, the British) ruled Florida, but did not venture into the interior of the Florida peninsula south of the Oklawaha River valley ( Acuera Province). The indigenous peoples of the Florida peninsula declined in numbers, and the people who became known as the Seminole moved into central Florida. In 1821, Florida became
1053-515: A residential and shopping complex named Posner Park . In recent years, Haines City has seen explosive growth, largely because of its easy access to Orlando and Walt Disney World Resort . New residential areas have been developed on the edges of the city. On high ground in the north of the city, Southern Dunes, a golf and country club with both vacation homes and residential homes, was developed between 1995 and 2005. In 2004, Haines City experienced three hurricanes. Hurricane Charley passed through
1134-454: A rough grid plan , with streets running north–south and numbered from 1st Street to 30th Street, and named avenues running west–east. Haines City is served by an hourly bus service to Lake Alfred and Winter Haven by Winter Haven Area Transit and, from December 16, 2012, by hourly Lynx bus services to Poinciana and Four Corners . Railroads have always been a part of Haines City's history, and freight and passenger trains still run through
1215-588: Is Grady Judd . As of November 30, 2023. Polk County Public Schools serves the county. Atlantic coastal plain The Atlantic Plain is one of eight distinct physiographic divisions of the contiguous United States . Using the USGS physiographic classification system, the Atlantic Plain division comprises two provinces and six sections. The Coastal Plain province is differentiated from
1296-483: Is about 135 km. The Coastal Plain of the United States includes all or portions of the states of Alabama , Arkansas , Delaware , Florida , Georgia , Kentucky , Maryland , Massachusetts , Mississippi , New Jersey , New York , North Carolina , Oklahoma , South Carolina , Rhode Island , Tennessee , Texas and Virginia . From the northeast, it begins on Cape Cod, Massachusetts and stretches to
1377-469: Is home to professional baseball and basketball teams and boasts a rich history of collegiate sports competition at a number of its institutions of higher learning, including perennial NCAA Division II national championship contender and titleholder (in multiple sports), Florida Southern College . Professional baseball , especially major league spring training , was historically a major generator of tourist traffic for Polk County. Today, however, only
1458-595: Is located in Polk County, near the city of Lake Wales . Polk County is home to one public university, one state college, and four private universities. The first people to inhabit the area now called Polk County were the Paleoindians who arrived in Florida at least 12,000 years ago, late in the last ice age . With large amounts of water locked up in continental ice caps, the sea level was more than 150 feet (46 m) lower than at present. The Florida peninsula
1539-400: Is supported by a workforce of over 275,000 in 2010. Traditionally, the largest industries in Polk County's economy have been phosphate mining , agriculture , and tourism . Notable companies headquartered in Polk County include Publix (an employee-owned grocery chain) and Florida's Natural (an agricultural cooperative). The top employers of Polk County are as follows: Polk County
1620-534: Is the fourth-largest county in Florida by land area and fifth-largest by total area. Polk County is within the Central Florida Highlands area of the Atlantic coastal plain, with a terrain consisting of flatland interspersed with gently rolling hills. Part of the Lake Wales Ridge runs through eastern Polk County, which is known for its rolling hills with unique wildlife and plants. The highest elevation in
1701-435: The 1949 Florida hurricane (category 2), the 1945 Homestead hurricane (category 1), the 1933 Treasure Coast hurricane (category 1), the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane (category 2), Hurricane Four of the 1894 season (category 1), and Hurricane Three of the 1871 season , and Hurricane Eight of the 1859 season (category 1). Additionally, four storms were downgraded from hurricane strength at
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#17327808263491782-594: The Carolina Sandhills region as well as the Embayed and Sea Island physiographic provinces. The Atlantic Coastal Plain is sometimes subdivided into northern and southern regions, specifically the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic coastal plains. The Atlantic Plain is generally gently dipping undeformed Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediments, with the sedimentary wedge thickening toward the sea, reaching
1863-957: The Detroit Tigers remain for spring training. Additionally, the Single-A Lakeland Flying Tigers play in Joker Marchant Stadium after spring training. Professional basketball made its debut in 2017 when the Lakeland Magic took the court in its home venue, RP Funding Center . The team is the NBA G League developmental affiliate of the NBA 's Orlando Magic . In 2023, the team relocated from Polk County to Osceola County . College sports are also popular in Polk County. The Florida Southern Moccasins play in NCAA Division II in
1944-657: The Lake Wales Ridge , a sandy terrain consisting of a low ridge of gently rolling hills rising from the coastal flatlands. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 19.8 square miles (51 km), of which 8.3 square miles (21 km) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km), 7.27% of the total, is water. Haines City is located in the humid subtropical zone as designated by ( Köppen climate classification : Cfa ). The porous white sands and open terrain create
2025-624: The Manasota culture , which flourished from 2,500 years ago until around 800 AD, when it was replaced by the Safety Harbor culture , from circa 800 until after 1700. The Peace River valley may have hosted a distinct culture during the Safety Harbor period. In 1539, Ponce De Leon sent a detachment (between 80 and 180 men) of his expedition from his landing place on Tampa Bay across northern Polk County to visit Urriparacoxi ,
2106-708: The Sunshine State Conference . The Southeastern Fire play in NAIA Sun Conference . The executive and legislative powers of the county are vested in the five-member board of county commissioners. While the county is divided into five separate districts, each commissioner is elected at-large , countywide, requiring them to gain majority support. Each term lasts for four years, with odd-numbered districts holding elections in presidential election years, and even-numbered districts holding elections two years later. Like all elected officials in
2187-493: The Yucatán Peninsula . The central and southern Atlantic Coast is characterized by barrier and drowned valley coasts. The coastal Atlantic plain features nearly continuous barriers interrupted by inlets , large embayments with drowned river valleys , and extensive wetlands and marshes . The Atlantic plain slopes gently seaward from the inland highlands in a series of terraces. This gentle slope continues far into
2268-702: The 1960s, violence related to civil-rights movement was attributed to the Klan. In 1967, a white man shot and severely wounded a popular African-American high-school football player who was integrating Lake Ariana Beach. A Klan group marched in Lakeland in full regalia in 1979, their last public march by the Confederate monument in Munn Park. Fred Rochelle , 16, was burned alive in a public spectacle lynching before thousands in Polk County, Florida, in 1901. Since
2349-682: The Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico , forming the continental shelf. The relief at the land-sea interface is so low that the boundary between them is often blurry and indistinct, especially along stretches of the Louisiana bayous and the Florida Everglades . The Atlantic Ocean has a broad, flat continental shelf that reaches a depth of 100 meters. The continental shelf off the Atlantic Ocean ranges in width from less than 1 km off Florida to more than 420 km off Maine. The average width
2430-553: The Continental Shelf province simply based on the portion of the land mass above and below sea level. The lands adjacent to the Atlantic coastline are made up of sandy beaches, marshlands, bays, and barrier islands. It is the flattest of the U.S. physiographic divisions and stretches over 2,200 miles (3,500 km) in length from Cape Cod to the Mexican border and southward an additional 1,000 miles (1,600 km) to
2511-519: The Lakeland City Commission voted to move the Confederate monument from Munn Park, where it was installed in 1910, to Veterans Memorial Park. What is now Veterans Memorial Park was first settled in 1883 as the community of Moorehead, the original African-American community in the area. Owners were bought out in 1967 by eminent domain for county civic development of a conference center and the later Veterans Memorial Park. Some members of
Haines City, Florida - Misplaced Pages Continue
2592-776: The Paleoindian period was followed by the Archaic period , which ended 2,500 to 3,000 years ago, with the emergence of recognizable archaeological cultures in Florida. In eastern Polk County, the Kissimmee River valley was occupied by people of the Belle Glade culture , which persisted from about 3,000 years ago until the collapse of the Native American population in Florida after 1700. Native American people in western Polk County were part of, or influenced by,
2673-609: The area. The Green Swamp is prone to fog in winter. In the predawn hours of January 8, 2008, smoke from a prescribed burn contributed to especially dense fog on Interstate 4 that caused a major pileup involving 70 vehicles in 10 separate crashes that resulted in five deaths. The eyes of 12 hurricanes have passed through the county at hurricane strength in recorded history, including Hurricane Irma (2017, category 1), Hurricane Jeanne (2004, category 1), Hurricane Charley (2004, category 2), Hurricane Donna (1960, category 2), Hurricane King (1950, category 1),
2754-429: The black community have objected to the Confederate monument being relocated to the site of what had been their historic community in Lakeland, saying it would be more appropriate to be located in the cemetery with numerous Confederate graves. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 2,011 square miles (5,210 km ), of which 213 square miles (550 km ) (10.6%) are covered by water. It
2835-463: The city in August. Hurricane Frances came right on the heels of Charley but mostly just dumped a lot of rain. Hurricane Jeanne soon followed packing a punch not quite as strong as Charley but longer lasting. The city has since recovered. Four years after Charley, Haines City got struck again this time by a weaker storm named Tropical Storm Fay . This storm caused little damage, but schools closed on
2916-489: The city of Bartow. Winter Haven was best known as the home of the Cypress Gardens theme park, which operated from 1936 to September 23, 2009. Legoland Florida has since been built on the site of former Cypress Gardens, and has preserved the botanical garden section. Winter Haven was the location of the first Publix supermarket circa 1930; today, Publix's corporate offices are located in Lakeland. In 2018,
2997-642: The city, although the railroad station has been closed for many years. The Haines City Public Library is a member of the Polk County Library Cooperative. It is located at 111 N 6th Street Haines City, FL 33844. Haines City first established a library in 1916, under the direction of the Women's Club of Haines City. The first library was located inside the Leisure Lodge, which was located on Railroad Park. In 1927, when that building
3078-562: The city. Haines City was the site of a 350-acre (1.4 km) brush fire on March 25, 2009. It was a scare to the residents of dozens of houses in a housing complex named Randa Ridge. Haines City is responding to the arrival of Legoland Florida in Winter Haven . Legoland's expected tourist influx is leading Haines City to search for ways to advertise and bring more people to the historic downtown area, specifically, motorists coming down U.S. 27 from Interstate 4. Haines City operates on
3159-445: The city. The population density was 1,588.7 inhabitants per square mile (613.4/km). There were 6,283 housing units at an average density of 757.7 units per square mile (292.5 units/km). The racial makeup of the city was 54.87% White , 31.86% African American , 0.52% Native American , 0.39% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 10.42% from other races , and 1.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23.33% of
3240-441: The county budget, including the state attorneys and public defenders. A portion of the county's budget is dedicated to providing municipal-level services and regulations to unincorporated areas, such as zoning, business codes, and fire protection. Other services benefit both those in municipalities and in unincorporated Polk County, such as those that provide recreational and cultural opportunities. The current Sheriff of Polk County
3321-455: The county is Crooked Lake Sandhill at 305 feet, with the second-highest being Iron Mountain, the location of Bok Tower at 295 feet above sea level. Several artificial raised phosphate tailings ponds in the center of the county rise up to 375 feet. In addition, at its northeast corner, Polk County touches Orange County at a quadripoint called Four Corners, Florida ; Lake and Osceola Counties lie between. Polk County, like most of Florida, has
Haines City, Florida - Misplaced Pages Continue
3402-507: The county south of Fort Meade, shortly after it passed Wauchula (in Hardee County), where a maximum wind gust of 109 mph (175 km/h) was recorded by emergency management officials. The hurricane-force wind field was relatively narrow, with the most intense wind damage being within 10 mi (16 km) of the center of the eye. For example, maximum recorded winds were only 41 kn (76 km/h; 47 mph) sustained and
3483-492: The county was 79.58% White (74.6% were Non-Hispanic White ), 13.54% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.82% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. About 9.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. In 2000, only 37% of county residents lived in incorporated metropolitan areas. Of the 187,233 households, 29.0% had children under 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 12.0% had
3564-653: The county's population was foreign-born , with 37.8% being naturalized American citizens . Of foreign-born residents, 70.4% were born in Latin America, 11.5% Europe, 10.2% Asia, 4.9% North America, 2.6% Africa, and 0.4% were born in Oceania. As of the census of 2000, 483,924 people, 187,233 households, and 132,373 families resided in the county. The population density was 258 people per square mile (100 people/km ). The 226,376 housing units had an average density of 121 per square mile (47/km ). The racial makeup of
3645-400: The county. Hurricane Charley in 2004—the first of three hurricanes to hit the county in six weeks—is the strongest storm in recent history to pass through the county, mainly impacting the eastern half of the county. The Lake Wales Fire Department recorded an unofficial maximum wind speed of 95 mph (153 km/h) sustained and a gust of 101 mph (163 km/h). The hurricane entered
3726-401: The county. The library co-op also supplies a mobile library and a Books by Mail service, which mails library materials to patrons without fees. Haines City's public school district is served by Polk County Public Schools . Polk County, Florida Polk County ( / p oʊ k / ) is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Florida . The county population
3807-545: The ecoregion. Despite intermittent flooding, certain refugia have remained continuously terrestrial since at least the late Cretaceous (85-80mya), contributing to endemism. Generally speaking, despite the high diversity of soils, the soil is nutrient poor. This is primarily due to an abundance of well-drained soils, creating a primarily xeric character to the floral makeup of the Atlantic Plain. However, waterlogged soils are also notable, with wetlands and hammocks being important ecological features. The Eastern woodlands are
3888-484: The expansion of slavery and whose 1845 inauguration was on the day after Florida became a state. Following the Civil War, the county commission established the county seat on 120 acres (0.49 km ) donated in the central part of the county. Bartow, the county seat, was named after Francis S. Bartow , a Confederate colonel from Georgia who was the first Confederate brigade commander to die in battle. Colonel Bartow
3969-518: The federal government during World War II and was the training location for many Army Air Corps pilots during the war. The airport was returned to the city in 1967 and renamed as Bartow Municipal Airport. In the 20th century, the Ku Klux Klan revived and was active in Polk County, even after World War II. Klansmen were photographed in hoods and robes in 1958 in a church in Mulberry. During
4050-453: The few Seminoles remaining in Florida were confined to an informal reservation in southern Florida. While Florida gained statehood in 1845, Polk County was not created until a month after Florida had seceded from the Union. It was formed from the eastern part of Hillsborough County and named in honor of former US President James K. Polk , who had been popular with Southerners for supporting
4131-531: The fighting in the early years of the war occurred north of Polk County. By 1837, the Seminoles were being pushed south, and late that year, Colonel Zachary Taylor , as part of a coordinated push against the Seminoles, led a column east from Fort Brooke (today's Tampa) into what is now Polk County, and then south between the Kissimmee and Peace River valleys, culminating in the Battle of Lake Okeechobee . By 1843
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#17327808263494212-421: The first school for freedmen 's children. Other workers arrived for jobs in the phosphate industry. This area became the center of a predominately African-American community later known as Moorehead, after Rev. H.K. Moorehead, called to St. John's in 1906. The community developed its own businesses, professional class, and cultural institutions. Its students had to go to other cities for high school until 1928, when
4293-401: The first upper school to serve blacks was established here. White violence rose against blacks in the late 19th century in a regionwide effort to establish and maintain white supremacy as Southern states disenfranchised most blacks and imposed Jim Crow . Whites lynched 20 African Americans in Polk County from 1895 to 1921; Three black men, whose names were not recorded, were murdered in
4374-467: The hub of the largest phosphate industry in the United States, attracting both immigrants and African-American and white workers from rural areas. Polk County was the leading citrus county in the United States for much of the 20th century, and even the county seat Bartow has had several large groves. In 1941, the city built an airport northeast of town in the county. The airport was taken over by
4455-403: The impressive growth rate, the unemployment rate of Polk has typically been higher than that of the entire state. For example, in August 2010, the county had an unemployment rate of 13.4%, compared to 11.7% for the entire state. During the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season , three hurricanes, Charley , Frances , and Jeanne , all tracked over Polk County, intersecting in a triangle that includes
4536-422: The inland highlands in a series of terraces. The province's average elevation is less than 900 meters above sea level and extends some 50 to 100 kilometers inland from the ocean. The coastal plain is normally wet, including many rivers, marsh , and swampland . It is composed primarily of sedimentary rock and unlithified sediments and is primarily used for agriculture . The Atlantic Coastal Plain includes
4617-630: The late 20th century, growth in Polk County has been driven by its proximity to both the Tampa and Orlando metropolitan areas along the Interstate 4 corridor. Recent growth has been heaviest in Lakeland (closest to Tampa) and the northeast areas near Haines City (nearest to Orlando). From 1990 to 2000, unincorporated areas grew 25%, while incorporated areas grew only 11%. In addition to cottage communities that have developed for commuters, Haines City has suburban sprawl into unincorporated areas. Despite
4698-806: The library in September 1960, whereupon it moved the library to a building on Ledwith Avenue. The library moved to its current location on N. Sixth Street in 2012, and is co-located with City Hall. A non-profit organization, the Friends of the Haines City Public Library, Inc. , provides support to the library. In 1997, the Polk County Library Cooperative was created. This interlocal agreement between municipal and county governments allows all residents to receive library services and materials from any library within
4779-510: The longleaf pine forests into central Florida, with South Florida slash pine flatwoods , Florida sand pine scrub and Florida dry prairie stretching into southern Florida. Longleaf pine woodlands also stretch further west, to eastern Texas. These consist of East Gulf and West Gulf longleaf pine flatwoods , bisected by the Mississippi Alluvial Plain . To the north, the Atlantic Coastal Plain also broaches into
4860-539: The main industry of the city. From 1974 to 1986, Circus World , a theme park created by the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus , was open just north of Haines City. After Circus World shut down, Boardwalk and Baseball opened on the same site. It featured carnival games and theme park styled rides like the Grand Rapids Flume. It closed in 1990, and the site has been redeveloped as
4941-571: The mesic hardwood forests of the Middle Atlantic coastal forests , followed by the northern Atlantic coastal pine barrens . The southernmost Atlantic Plain contains the only Neotropical ecoregion of the continental USA, being the Everglades and Florida mangroves . The following species are largely endemic to the region. Amphibian diversity is especially notable in the Atlantic Plain. Some of these species' ranges may extend into
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#17327808263495022-426: The moist air is heated and rises to form thunderstorms. On many days, the sea-breeze thunderstorms from both coasts move inland, colliding in Polk County to form especially strong thunderstorms. Polk County is located in the middle of "lightning alley" , which has more lightning annually than any region in the United States. Largely due to its size, the county receives the overall highest number of lightning strikes in
5103-428: The most important duties of the county commission is levying taxes and appropriations. The ad valorem millage rate levied by the county for county government purposes is 6.8665. The commission is responsible for providing appropriations for other countywide offices including the sheriff, property appraiser, tax collector, and supervisor of elections. The county and circuit court systems are also partially supported by
5184-521: The often hot and dry climate that parts of interior Florida near the Lakes Wales sand ridge is known for. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 26,669 people, 7,640 households, and 5,589 families residing in the city. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 20,535 people, 6,961 households, and 4,975 families residing in the city. As of the census of 2000, there were 13,174 people, 4,749 households, and 3,409 families residing in
5265-492: The original, predominant ecosystem of the Atlantic coastal plain. The Atlantic coastal plain upland longleaf pine woodland is an endemic plant community found in most of the Atlantic coastal plain, ranging from Virginia to northern Florida. These woodland savannas are reliant on sandy soils and are fire dependent, lest hardwoods start to dominate. Alongside longleaf pine , typically associated flora includes turkey oak and wiregrass . The Florida longleaf pine sandhill extends
5346-403: The population. In 2000, there were 4,749 households, out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
5427-480: The railroad company to build a station by agreeing to rename their city Haines City, to honor a senior railroad official, former Confederate States Army Colonel Henry Haines . Haines City was originally incorporated under the General Statutes of Florida as the " Town of Haines City " on February 23, 1914. The first state legislative act affecting it was enacted on May 20, 1919, and, by Chapter 8272, it
5508-472: The second day of the school year (Tuesday, August 19, 2008) due to it; the original plan had been to close schools Tuesday and Wednesday, but the lack of danger it showed on Tuesday caused the change in agenda. A new park on Lake Eva, replacing a previous park on the site, was completed in 2009. The city has also built a new park, called "8-Acre Park", and auditorium in the Oakland area, on the northern side of
5589-525: The site, the present structure houses the Polk County Historical Museum and Genealogical Library. After the Civil War, some 400 Confederate veterans settled here with families before the end of the century. In the post-Reconstruction period, black railway workers were among the first African Americans to settle in Polk County, in 1883 south of Lake Wire. The following year, they founded St. John's Baptist Church, which also served as
5670-715: The southwest to South Padre Island, Texas . This is approximately 1,900 miles (3,100 km). This province consists of the following physiographic sections: the Embayed, Sea Island , Floridian , East Gulf Coastal Plain , Mississippi Alluvial Plain , and the West Gulf Coastal Plain . The rocks in the province consist, for the most part, of layers of sand and clay which are not yet hardened into sandstone and shale. The Coastal Plain features nearly continuous barrier islands interrupted by inlets, large embayments with drowned river valleys, and extensive wetlands and marshes. The Coastal Plain slopes gently seaward from
5751-469: The state, county commissioners are subject to recall. The commissioners elect a chairman and vice-chairman annually. The chairman selects the chairs of each committee, who work with the county manager to establish the policies of the board. The commission meets twice a month- generally every other Tuesday. Additional meetings take place as needed, but must be announced per the Florida sunshine laws . Among
5832-418: The total population, 19.1% were under 18 and 8.1% were 65 or older. As of 2010, 81.80% of all residents spoke English as their first language , while 14.34% spoke Spanish, 0.70% French Creole (mostly Haitian Creole ,) and 0.51% of the population spoke French as their mother language . In total, 18.20% of the population spoke languages other than English as their primary language . Polk County's economy
5913-411: Was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.18. In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 27.2% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males. In 2000, the median income for
5994-409: Was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 93.1 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 36,036, and for a family was $ 41,442. Males had a median income of $ 31,396, versus $ 22,406 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 18,302. 12.90% of the population and 9.40% of families were below the poverty line . Of
6075-507: Was 39.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 93.7 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 43,946, and for a family was $ 51,395. Males had a median income of $ 37,768 versus $ 30,655 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 21,881. About 11.5% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line , including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those aged 65 or over. In 2010, 10.7% of
6156-481: Was 725,046, as of the 2020 census , and estimated to be 818,330, as of July 1, 2023. Its county seat is Bartow , and its largest city is Lakeland . Polk County comprises the Lakeland–Winter Haven metropolitan statistical area (MSA). This MSA is the 77th-most populous one and the 89th-most populous primary statistical area of the United States as of July 1, 2012. The center of population of Florida
6237-574: Was buried in Savannah, Georgia , with military honors, and promoted posthumously to the rank of brigadier general. The original name of the town was Fort Blount. Several other towns and counties in the South changed their names to Bartow to honor the brigade commander. The first courthouse built in Bartow was constructed in 1867. It was replaced twice, in 1884 and in 1908. As the third courthouse to stand on
6318-609: Was demolished as part of a street widening project, the library relocated to Hinson Avenue. The library was forced to relocate again in 1959 due to another street widening project, at which time the Women's Club rented space for the library at the Palm Crest Hotel (also known as the Polk Hotel, which today houses the Landmark Baptist College). The City of Haines City assumed official responsibility of
6399-402: Was met by a sheriff, arrested, and then turned over to a mob that shot him 40-50 times. Columbia County also had 20 such lynching murders; these two counties had the second-highest total of lynchings of African Americans of any county in the state. In the first few decades of the 1900s, thousands of acres of land around Bartow were purchased by the phosphate industry. The county seat became
6480-641: Was reincorporated as the " City of Haines City " on January 5, 1925, under a Mayor-Council form of government. The present charter was adopted as Chapter 12790 on July 1, 1927, changing the form of government to "Commission-Manager Plan," as amended. The city operates under a commission-manager form of government and provides the following services as authorized by its charter: Public safety (Police and Fire), Streets and Highways, Culture-Recreation, Public Improvements, Sanitation, Planning and Zoning and General and Administrative Services. The early settlers planted citrus groves, and citrus growing and processing became
6561-657: Was twice as wide as it is today, and Florida was cooler and much drier, with few, if any, flowing rivers. Both animals and humans were dependent on scattered water holes, such as sinkholes , deep holes in otherwise dry river beds, and rain-fed lakes perched on impervious clay. Most Paleoindian campsites found in Florida have been found at water holes. The largest collection of late (more than 9,500 years ago) Paleoindian microlithic tools known from Florida were found in Lake Weohyakapka , near Nalcrest in Polk County. As sea levels rose and Florida became warmer and wetter,
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