Downtown Lakeland
Local fine dining and boutique shopping
At the center of Downtown Lakeland, bars and restaurants are clustered together with brick storefronts and wide stone mosaic sidewalks. “There’s a lot of foot traffic on holidays, but it’s never too busy,” Witter says. “Pretty much every business is within walking distance.” For an upscale night out, Nineteen61 serves modern Spanish cuisine with Latin American and Southern U.S. touches. The good times keep rolling at Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille, a New Orleans-inspired restaurant serving modernized versions of cajun and creole favorites and operating under the concept of Lagniappe, meaning “to give a little something extra.” Locals can also find gift shops and businesses like Top Buttons Boutique and Jesse Carl Vinyl within a few blocks. Downtown Lakeland has a Cap Index Crime Score of 5 out of 10, compared to a national score of 4. In January 2024, the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority added 14 new security cameras to deter criminal activity in the main commercial districts. On the neighborhood's northern edge, The Lakeland Town Center Mall on Memorial Boulevard includes a Save-A-Lot grocery store.Mother’s Day art festival on Lake Morton
The annual Mayfaire-by-the-Lake Art Festival takes place on the shores of Lake Morton throughout Mother’s Day weekend. One of the oldest and largest festivals of its kind in the state, it typically draws well over 100 artists who set up booths on the lakeshore. Residents and visitors can also gather Downtown for the annual Christmas Parade, where themed floats wind their way along a 1.25-mile course, ending with a visit for Mr. and Mrs. Claus.Historic properties from the 1920s and new builds
On the neighborhood’s south side, the Lake Morton Historic District features colorful two-bedroom bungalows from the 1920s that sell for as little as $250,000 and four-bedroom Spanish Revival-style houses that can sell for more than $500,000. On the north side, there are many investment properties available for around $150,000, including three-bedroom bungalows and ranch-style homes from the 1920s and ‘30s, as well as newly built Modern Craftsmen-style bungalows with covered front porches that sell for between $300,000 and $400,000. A few townhome and condo complexes dotted around the community also offer three-bedroom units for around $300,000.Top-rated Polk County technology-focused charter schools
Two of Polk County’s highest-performing schools are in Downtown Lakeland, including McKeel Academy Central, a technology-focused charter elementary school rated B-plus by Niche. Graduates receive automatic admission into the McKeel Academy of Technology, an A-rated charter high school offering robotics, legal studies, and digital imagery programs. Another top-rated school in the area, the A-minus-rated Lawton Chiles Middle Academy, is one of only four middle schools that offers the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. In addition to public schools, the Florida Southern College campus is located on the south end of the neighborhood, offering over 70 undergraduate programs.Scenic promenades and gardens surrounding Lake Mirror
Lake Mirror is the highlight of the local landscape, surrounded by beautiful structures and greenspaces, including the Frances Langford Promenade, a stone walkway around the lake dotted with public art installations. Residents can also spend the day at Hollis Garden, a botanical garden divided into 16 “rooms” featuring rotating plant life and distinct architecture. Also part of the complex is Barnett Family Park, which offers a playground, splash pad and a maze.CitrusConnection bus routes throughout Lakeland
Set at the center of Lakeland, Downtown is bordered on the east by U.S. Route 98, which runs north-south, and on the north by Route 92, running east-west. Residents can access Interstate 4 a few miles north, which runs 61 miles northeast to Orlando and 34 miles west to Tampa. CitrusConnection bus service offers 15 routes throughout Lakeland, most of which branch off from the Lakeland Downtown Terminal. There is a nearby Park & Ride station less than a mile away on the corner of Rose Street and Bartow Road and an Amtrak train station that can take passengers to Tampa, Orlando and beyond. Nearby airports include the Lakeland Linder International Airport, 7 miles south, and Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, a few miles north.
Written By
Andi Sink
Photography Contributed By
Jeffery Palmer
Video By
Nathan Allen
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Bridgette Donahue
Bridgette Donahue
Responds QuicklyBETTER HOMES & GARDENS REAL ESTATE LIFESTYLES REAL
(863) 400-0620
35 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Lakeland
$380,000 Price
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Cyleste Goodson
Cyleste Goodson
Responds QuicklyFLORIDA REAL ESTATE COMPANY
(863) 777-5247
162 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Lakeland
$245,000 Price
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Michelle Howard
Michelle Howard
Responds QuicklyKELLER WILLIAMS REALTY SMART 1
(863) 400-1358
88 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Lakeland
$305,000 Price
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Tammy Keller
Tammy Keller
CHARLES RUTENBERG REALTY INC
(727) 349-6035
192 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Lakeland
$305,000 Price
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Martha Harrison
Martha Harrison
REMAX EXPERTS
(863) 656-0710
98 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Lakeland
$585,000 Price
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Mary Kay Cook
Mary Kay Cook
STRAIGHT UP REALTY & PM LLC
(863) 400-3301
88 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Lakeland
$182,000 Price
Schools
Source:
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- Pre-K to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 8th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Barnett Family Park
- Lake
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Allen Kryger Overlook Park
- Lake
- Trails
- Events
Munn Park
- Trails
- Parking Lot
Thomas B. Mack Park
- Lake
- Trails
Holis Gardens
The Morton Arboretum
Parker Street Park
North Lake Wire Park
Lake Mirror Park
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Downtown Lakeland | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 5 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 5 | 4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 4 |
| Burglary | 6 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 6 | 4 |
| Larceny | 5 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Lakeland Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Lakeland, Lakeland sell after 6 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Lakeland, Lakeland over the last 12 months is $707,000, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$414,900
Median Sale Price
$707,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$360,274
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$414,899
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
2
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
11%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$232
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,359
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1930
Months of Supply
12.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,593
Below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,877
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
909
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
708
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,969
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
-
$1,526 - $2,379 per month
- Mirrorton Apartments
- Studio-3 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 517+ Sq Ft
- 309 Mirrorton Ave
- Lakeland, FL
-
-
$899 - $1,530 per month
- Lakeland Manor Apartment Homes
- Studio-4 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 450+ Sq Ft
- 929 Gilmore Ave
- Lakeland, FL
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
12,146
Median Age
32
Population Density
9 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$37,872
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$55,615
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
86.8%
College Graduates
27%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
9%
% Population in Labor Force
51.5%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
56''
Average Winter Low Temperature
51°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
75
/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
80
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Lake Beulah
A lakeside suburb 2 miles from Downtown Lakeland with variety of outdoor rec
Dixieland
Historic homes surrounding Lake Hunter with a vibrant arts and recreation scene
Camphor
Established, close-knit community with early- to mid-20th century homes
Lake Bonnet
Affordable housing close to downtown Lakeland
Lake Bonny
Growing Polk County suburb conveniently centered between Tampa and Orlando
Lake Hollingsworth
Living on the shoreline of the water in Lakeland
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