[rick1368]

Polk County is a large County situated East of Hillsborough County (Tampa) and West of Osceola/Orange Counties (Kissimmee/Orlando), as you travel down the I-4 corridor. Polk County has long been considered an ideal area for retirees and families to relocate due to its relatively lower cost of housing, minimal traffic congestion , yet close proximity to major metropolitan areas. In recent years Polk County has improved is reputation in the area, it was long considered one of the worst Counties in Central Florida. This was mainly due to it's higher than average crime, poverty level and drug production. In addition to Polk County's very poorly rated public school system. As a 15 year plus resident in Polk County, I'm sharing my thought with anyone considering moving to the Polk County area. Without a doubt the worst city in the Northeast portion of the county is Haines City located around 10-15 minutes South of I-4 just south of Davenport.
Haines City is a small city, with an excessively high crime rate , mostly due to the high level of drug related activity. The city's small police force is more concerned with issuing traffic citations , than responding to crime. The city controls at least six red light cameras, up and down US Hwy 27 the largest major road in the area. Its fair to mention that these are the only red light cameras on all of US 27 in Polk County. The camera system is just another way for the city to generate income and has nothing to due with public safety. As a matter of fact , the number of accidents with injuries and fatalities has steadily increased due to this camera system. Haines City has a population where 30% live at or below the poverty level. The public school system is very poorly rated , with a high drop out rate.
Most of the rest of the Northeast portion of Polk County is experiencing a high level of growth and job creation , with major companies such as Amazon having moved in. Although it is still a very resort type area, with a large number of vacation rental communities and mainly businesses catering to the tourist and the hospitality industries. Polk County has made large investments in new public schools and some public recreation in these unincorporated areas , Davenport, Citrus Ridge and Four Corners.
Other than medium size cities such as Winter Haven and Lakeland , the County is dotted with small communities or towns , surrounded by largely rural and undeveloped land. There are still a large number of opportunities for affordable housing in many areas , job opportunities are not as abundant, in the Southeast portion of the county.

[Johnathon Hills]

Sheriff Grady Judd kicks butt. There's that.