Polk County, Florida, has a population of approximately 725,000 residents as of 2020, making it the tenth largest county in the state.
Legoland, Bok Tower Gardens, and Circle B Bar Reserve are some of the most popular attractions in the county.
It’s important to note that the safety and appeal of different areas in Polk County can vary.
This article aims to identify the five least desirable neighborhoods in Polk County, based on the following criteria:
- Rate of crime per thousand residents
- Crime grade obtained from CrimeGrade.org.
- Statistics on household income and poverty rates.
- Joblessness Percentage
Avoid These 4 Polk County Neighborhoods
Florence Villa
In Polk County, Florence Villa is considered the least desirable neighborhood based on our criteria.
This community, situated in Winter Haven, is home to approximately 3,000 residents.
The area has a relatively high crime rate of 30.9 per 1,000 population and is given a crime rating of C-.
The median household income in Florence Villa is $20,833, which is relatively low. Additionally, the poverty rate in the area is quite high at 45.8%.
The unemployment rate has also seen a significant increase, reaching 10.5%.
Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake, situated in Lakeland, the largest city in Polk County, is inhabited by approximately 16,000 individuals.
The neighborhood has a crime rate of 23.9 per 1,000 people and a crime rating of C-. It indicates that the safety level is lower compared to 58% of communities in the United States.
The typical family income in Crystal Lake is $36,674, which is lower than the national average of $62,843.
In addition, the poverty rate is quite high, standing at 21.4%, which is above the national average of 10.5%.
The unemployment rate in Crystal Lake is significantly above the national average, with a rate of 6.9% compared to the overall rate of 6.0%.
Combee Settlement
Combee Settlement is a Lakeland suburb with a population of approximately 6,000 people.
The region has a crime rate of 25.8 per 1,000 people and a crime rating of C-.
The average household income in Combee Settlement is $30,833, which is significantly lower than the national average.
The poverty rate stands at a staggering 28.7%, which is significantly higher than the national average.
Similarly, the unemployment rate is 7.7%, surpassing the national average once again.
Wahneta
Wahneta is situated near Winter Haven, which is the second-largest city in Polk County.
The population of Wahneta is approximately 5,000.
The neighborhood has a crime rate of 26.4 per 1,000 people and a crime rating of C-.
Wahneta has a median household income of $29,375, which is considerably below the national average.
The poverty rate in this area is alarmingly high, standing at 32.9%, while the unemployment rate surpasses the national average, reaching 8.3%.
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