Florida · County profile
Polk County
Polk County connects the Tampa and Orlando regions and includes 17 municipalities plus a large unincorporated area. Building jurisdiction, city approvals, and local business requirements depend on the property address.
Last updated
Permits and licenses in Polk County
How county services are organized
The right office often depends on the property address and whether the service is administered countywide.
Polk County connects the Tampa and Orlando regions and includes 17 municipalities plus a large unincorporated area. Building jurisdiction, city approvals, and local business requirements depend on the property address.
Address controls jurisdiction
Many cities operate their own building offices, while Polk County also serves unincorporated property and some municipalities by agreement.
Use Accela Citizen Access
County permit applications, plan uploads, payments, status, and inspections are available through the Accela portal.
County and city business taxes
A Polk County local business tax receipt is generally required, and a municipal receipt may also apply inside city limits.
Polk County facts
At a glance- County seat
- Bartow
- Largest city
- Lakeland
- Municipalities
- 17
- Land area
- 1,797.76 sq mi
- 2020 Census geography
Population
Population at the 2010 and 2020 censuses and the July 2025 estimate.
- Population
- 874,790July 2025 estimate
- Population density
- 403.3 / sq mi2020 Census
- Households
- 289,4252020–2024
Income
- Median household income
- $65,9782020–2024, in 2024 dollars
- Per capita income
- $33,2492020–2024
- Poverty rate
- 13.4%2020–2024
Housing
- Owner-occupied housing
- 70.5%2020–2024
- Median home value
- $266,500Owner-occupied, 2020–2024
- Median gross rent
- $1,3632020–2024
Demographics
Selected measures from the latest available Census Bureau profile.
- Age 65 and older
- 19.2%2020–2024
- Bachelor’s degree or higher
- 23.5%People age 25+, 2020–2024
- Veterans
- 44,2582020–2024
Geography and communities
- Land area
- 1,797.76 sq mi
- County seat
- Bartow
- Growth since 2010
- 45.3%2010 Census to 2025 estimate
Connectivity and commuting
- Broadband subscription
- 90.7%Households, 2020–2024
- Mean commute
- 30.5 minutesWorkers age 16+, 2020–2024
County contact information
Polk County Government
(863) 534-6000
Official county website ↗
Use the county’s official directory to confirm the responsible department. Incorporated municipalities may operate separate offices for address-dependent services.