Polk County, positioned in central Florida, boasts a inhabitants exceeding 700,000 residents and is house to varied points of interest, together with Legoland, Bok Tower Gardens, and the Polk Museum of Artwork. Nonetheless, Polk County is just not with out its challenges.
Some areas throughout the county grapple with elevated crime charges, poverty, and social points that deter residents. On this article, we’ll discover the 5 neighborhoods in Polk County dealing with probably the most important challenges, based mostly on knowledge from sources such because the U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI, and NeighborhoodScout.
5. Combee Settlement
Combee Settlement, located in northeast Lakeland, is house to roughly 6,000 residents. The neighborhood’s median family revenue stands at $29,732, which is lower than half of the county common of $51,535.
Moreover, Combee Settlement contends with a excessive poverty price of 32.4%, greater than double the county’s common of 15.2%. Crime charges are additionally regarding, with 8.9 violent crimes and 49.7 property crimes per 1,000 residents, surpassing the county averages. Points comparable to drug issues and gang exercise have additional impacted this group.
4. Wahneta
Wahneta, a census-designated place in southeast Winter Haven, is house to round 5,000 residents. Its median family revenue is $28,750, which additionally falls considerably beneath the county common. The poverty price is alarmingly excessive at 35.7%, greater than twice the county common.
Crime charges in Wahneta are above common as nicely, with 9.3 violent crimes and 48.8 property crimes per 1,000 residents. The neighborhood is predominantly Hispanic, with 84% of the inhabitants figuring out as such, dealing with challenges like low instructional attainment, language boundaries, and immigration-related points.
3. Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake, positioned in southwest Lakeland, homes roughly 6,000 residents. The median family revenue right here is $31,250, nicely beneath the county common. Its poverty price of 29% is almost twice the county common.
Crystal Lake additionally grapples with elevated crime charges, with 10.4 violent crimes and 50.9 property crimes per 1,000 residents, a few of the highest within the county. Just like Wahneta, Crystal Lake is predominantly Hispanic, dealing with challenges like low training, language boundaries, and immigration points.
2. Inwood
Inwood, present in northwest Winter Haven, has roughly 7,000 residents. With a median family revenue of $30,625, it falls nicely beneath the county common. The poverty price stands at 31%, greater than double the county common.
Crime charges are regarding as nicely, with 11 violent crimes and 51.7 property crimes per 1,000 residents, among the many highest within the county. Inwood is racially numerous, with 46% figuring out as white, 34% as black or African American, and 18% as Hispanic or Latino. The group grapples with points comparable to unemployment, drug abuse, and home violence.
1. Florence Villa
Florence Villa, positioned in northeast Winter Haven, is house to round 3,000 residents. The median family revenue is a mere $21,875, lower than one-third of the county common. A staggering 44% of residents dwell beneath the poverty line, practically 3 times the county common.
Crime charges are the best within the county, with 12 violent crimes and 54 property crimes per 1,000 residents. Florence Villa is predominantly black or African American, with 86% of the inhabitants figuring out as such, and it faces challenges like segregation, discrimination, and restricted alternatives.
Conclusion
Polk County showcases a mixture of thriving areas and people grappling with varied challenges. The 5 neighborhoods mentioned—Combee Settlement, Wahneta, Crystal Lake, Inwood, and Florence Villa—face important obstacles, together with excessive crime charges, poverty, and social points that deter residents.
Moreover, these neighborhoods expertise decrease revenue ranges, instructional alternatives, and total well-being, necessitating elevated consideration and sources from the county and state to enhance dwelling situations and prospects.
