With a population of 20,000, Bartow is the second oldest city in the Polk County, sitting between major metros Tampa and Orlando. The location, access to outdoor activities and housing stock have attracted more and more residents in recent years. “We have had a lot of growth. It’s not as much of a small town anymore,” says Cyleste Goodson, an agent with Regal Real Estate who has lived in the area most of her life. “We have a growing industry but still maintain our small-town feel.” The county was once known as the largest citrus producer in the world, with primary employers today being the government, agriculture and the school systems.
Downtown City of Bartow Florida is full of electric shops and boutiques that has something for all.
Enjoy a nice stroll down Main Street in the City of Bartow Florida.
Sun Ridge FL, a small residential community close to Winter Haven is a gem among neighborhoods near the City of Bartow Florida.
Ride around the quiet neighborhood streets shaded by lush oak trees in Sun Ridge in the City of Bartow Florida.
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Lower home prices than Orlando and Tampa
Bartow’s median home sale price is $306,000, lower than the national median of $406,000 and slightly lower than nearby Lakeland at $310,000. “The housing market here is great; home prices are much more affordable than in bigger markets like Orlando and Tampa,” Goodson says. Modest homes throughout East Bartow can range from $120,000 to $200,000. Pricier dwellings, often over $700,000, typically include several acres or sit near popular amenities like Lake Hancock.
With the option to build your new home, owners can create they're dream home in the City of Bartow Florida.
New home builders offer great incentives and amenities in the City of Bartow Florida.
Many homes in Sun Ridge have delightful front porches near the City of Bartow Florida.
Newer homes with more modern features can be found throughout the City of Bartow Florida.
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Fishing, boating and alligators at Lake Hancock
Bartow is in a convenient location for various outdoor and recreational activities. “Lake Wales is nearby with lots of activities,” Goodson says. “You’re close to a lot of lakes, a lot of theme parks and places you can actually go hunting and fishing.” Among the popular stops is Lake Hancock, covering nearly 4,600 acres. The shallow lake is a popular spot for boating and fishing and has a significant alligator presence. Closer to home, Mary Holland Park is a 117-acre waterside park with fishing spots, a playground, pavilions and sports fields. Bartow Parks and Recreation keeps the community active with several youth and adult leagues, including kickball and youth flag football.
Harborside serves surf and turf meals to patrons overlooking Lake Shipp in the City of Bartow Florida.
Tee off and challenge yourself at "The Tow" in the City of Bartow Florida.
Mary Holland Park offers great bank fishing for locals to enjoy a day outdoors in the City of Bartow Florida.
Fishing is a popular activity among residents of Sun Ridge near the City of Bartow Florida..
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Halloween parade and carnival downtown
Many community gatherings in Bartow happen downtown, including a popular farmers market, car shows and arts and crafts events. The city also hosts festivities for the holidays, like Halloween and Christmas. “Every year, the Crickette Club does a Halloween parade and carnival in the fall,” Goodson says. The celebration includes food trucks, games, a costume contest and a cake walk. The Wonder House is a historic landmark in the city. The home was built in the 1920s by Conrad Schuck after he was told he had a year to live and decided to build his dream house. Today, the home is used for holiday events and historic tours, where visitors can enjoy the architecture of the past.
Create family memories at the Bartow Fall Festival in the City of Bartow Florida.
Explore an array of craft vendors offering handmade goods in the City of Bartow Florida.
Hop aboard the Santa Express at the Bigda's Family Christmas Lights Display in the City of Bartow Florida.
Friday Fest is a great place to meet & greet with fellow classic car owners in the City of Bartow Florida.
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International Baccalaureate program at Bartow High
Students are zoned for the Polk County Public School District, which serves nearly 110,000 students and receives a B from Niche. Bartow High School is the only public high school in the city and earns an A-minus from Niche. Bartow High has a strong athletic program, regularly competing for district and state championships, winning five consecutive state softball titles from 2002-2005. The school also has an International Baccalaureate program. For private schools, Lakeland Christian School serves Pre-K through 12th grade and gets an A from Niche.
Bartow Elementary Academy is an above average, public, magnet school located in the City of Bartow, Florida.
Lake Shipp Elementary School is home to over 500 students in grades VPK-5 in the City of Bartow Florida.
Bartow Middle has over 1,000 students in grades 6-8 in the City of Bartow Florida.
Bartow Senior High School home of the Blue Jackets is an above average public school in the City of Bartow.
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Mom-and-pop shops in downtown
Much of Bartow’s retail and restaurant scene is centered around its downtown. “It’s an adorable, old-fashioned Main Street that is the hub of all the activities,” Goodson says. The commercial corridor on Bartow’s northern edge, near Highway 60, has several chain restaurants, grocery stores and big-box department stores.
Highway 60 leads directly to Tampa
Highway 60 is the main thoroughfare in and out of Bartow, running east and west near the city’s northern edges. “Highway 60 leads directly into Tampa,” Goodson says. “It’s about 45 minutes, so the daily commute is doable.” Polk County offers public transportation via the Citrus Connection, with bus service in Bartow, Lakeland and other nearby communities. While most of the city is car dependent, some areas downtown are walkable and bikeable. Tampa International Airport is a 52-mile drive west, offering domestic and international flights around the clock. Bartow Regional Medical Center is the community’s main hospital.
Bartow crime and environmental facto
According to FBI data, violent crime rates are typically lower than the national average, while property crime rates are usually around the national average.
Bartow is part of an area known as “lightning alley,” seeing frequent storms in the summer. When a tropical storm or hurricane hits the state, the city isn’t usually affected. "You’re safe being in the central part of the state. Typically by the time a storm hits the coast and gets inland this far, it’s rain and wind,” Goodson says.
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Bartow, FL sell after 79 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Bartow, FL over the last 12 months is $319,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Beautiful 2BR/2BA Home in Desirable 55+ CommunityLocated in the Floral Lake community, this beautiful home offers comfort, convenience, and a welcoming lifestyle. The split-bedroom floor plan features a primary suite with two closets—including a spacious walk-in closet—double vanities, and a walk-in shower. The bright second bedroom is perfect for guests or a home office. Enjoy mornings on
Introducing Retreat at Stuart Crossing, a BRAND-NEW luxury apartment community nestled in South Lakeland. This exquisite apartment offers the perfect blend of modern comfort and elegant living. Step into the spacious and beautifully designed kitchen, showcasing a stunning kitchen island as its centerpiece. The kitchen island not only adds a touch of sophistication to the space but also provides a
Brand New 3 Bed, 2 Bath Duplex – 1810 Dunbar St, Bartow, Unit A Be the first to live in this beautiful new construction duplex locatedin a quiet and convenient neighborhood in Bartow! This modern 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers spacious living, stylish finishes, and all the comforts you’re looking for. ? Features Include: Brand new construction – never lived in! Open-concept floor plan with
We offer two floor plans with two bedroom apartment homes for rent. Apartment features include a patio to enjoy the breathtaking sunrise and sunsets. Plush carpeted floors, ceiling fans, a breakfast bar, central air and heating, extra storage, plank flooring, a dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, and walk-in closets are all standard at The Villages at Laurel Meadows. We are a pet-friendly
About
Sun Ridge offers homebuyers access to wildlife amenities, grocery stores and local eateries. Homebuyers appreciate the area because it is an easy commute to Orlando and Tampa. Sun Ridge includes a 55-plus neighborhood of manufactured homes as well as subdivisions with single-family ranch-style and contemporary houses. “The area has a good community vibe. People walk down the street and meet their neighbors and know them,” says Teri Markley, a broker salesperson with Century 21 Watson & Myers Realty. She has sold homes there for 29 years and used to live in the area.
Homes
Many folks buy into the co-op housing in the Oakwood Estates 55-plus community. The mobile home park’s 1980s steel-frame houses are valued between $90,000 and $160,000. The neighborhood offers lifetime leases without monthly rent. The gated community’s amenities include two solar-heated swimming pools, a tennis court, a mini golf course and cable TV. Residents participate in monthly potlucks, weekly bingo, casino trips, cruise trips and themed dance parties. To the south of Oakwood Estates but north of Thornhill Road, homebuyers can purchase 1990s stucco-exterior bungalows and ranch-style houses for between $250,000 and $320,000. Stucco-exterior multi-story contemporaries built between the early 2000s and today cost between $300,000 and $360,000. South of Thornhill Road, 1990s bungalows and ranch-style houses sell for between $180,000 and $240,000. “It’s a pretty stable area, meaning there is not a lot of turnover,” Markley says.
Schools
Children often begin their educations at Eagle Lake Elementary, which has a 17-to-1 student-teacher ratio and a C-plus Niche rating. Westwood Middle School students are 19% proficient in math and 26% in reading. The school has a C-minus Niche rating. Teens typically move on to Lake Region High School, which has a C Niche rating and a 93% graduation rate. The high school also offers a slate of Advanced Placement classes.
Shopping
About 4 miles northeast, Harborside serves surf and turf meals to patrons overlooking Lake Shipp. Locals travel 2 ½ miles east to chow down on smoked meats at Blackburn’s BBQ or have breakfast with friends at Eagle Lake Family Diner. Folks grab pizza and subs at Hungry Howie’s and grab a meal on the go at the McDonald’s on the neighborhood’s north end. “The area mostly has grocery and fast-food shopping. There’s no downtown shopping or anything,” Markley says. Residents purchase groceries at the Publix on Winter Lake Road. People pick up prescriptions at the nearby CVS. Walmart and Aldi are 5 ½ miles northeast.
Parks
The Marshall Hampton Reserve is 2 ½ miles northwest of Sun Ridge. Live oaks, sweet gum and palmettos populate the over-1,100-acre wetland reserve. It includes a 60-acre pond and miles of hiking and horseback riding trails. Animals include bobcats, gopher tortoises and barred owls. The popular Lake Hancock is immediately west of Sun Ridge. Locals take motorized boats onto the lake to catch catfish, bluegill and bass. Just north of Sun Ridge, Simmers-Young Park offers ten multi-purpose fields, baseball and softball fields, a playground, picnic tables and picnic shelters.
Events
The nearby Auburndale Speedway regularly hosts stock car races. Locals enjoy boat tours of Winter Haven’s connecting chain of lakes. Children often take field trips to the Polk County Historical Museum. Polk City, about 17 miles north of Sun Ridge, is known for the Fantasy of Flight aviation museum, home to over 150 aircraft. Folks travel 9 miles east to Legoland Florida Resort, which boasts over 50 rides and a lazy river. The Universal Orlando Resort and the Walt Disney World Resort are within 50 miles of Sun Ridge. Tampa’s beaches are about 55 miles west of Sun Ridge.
Transportation
Sun Ridge is just east of U.S. Highway 17. Folks travel 8 miles southwest to Bartow Regional Medical Center. Interstate 4 takes residents 55 miles northeast to Orlando and 47 miles west to Tampa, where folks appreciate the beaches. When residents take flights, they typically use Tampa International Airport. “The easy commutes to Orlando and Tampa are a big draw for many homebuyers,” Markley says.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Bartow Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
21,734
Median Age
37
Population Density
282 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$56,852
Significantly below the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$76,419
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
90.2%
College Graduates
22.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.7%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
52''
Average Winter Low Temperature
51°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®®
55/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®®
29/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
