Thomas C. Grajek | June 11, 2025 | Criminal Defense
Polk County, Florida, which encompasses 17 municipalities, is one of the most populous of Florida’s 67 counties. It encompasses over 2,000 square miles and includes the cities of Lakeland, Polk City, and Davenport. It also has the LEGOLAND Florida Resort and other attractions.
When planning a trip that includes stops in Polk County, or even when considering relocating to one of the area’s towns and cities, safety is a major consideration. Not every part of the county is as family-friendly as others.
Although the county as a whole may not be as dangerous as other parts of Florida, there are areas in which you may wish to exercise greater caution when visiting.
Polk County, FL, Crime Stats
In 2020, Polk County’s crime rate was 1,694.5 per 100,000 people, a rate that was below the state’s 2,152.3 per 100,000. There was a slight uptick that year in the number of violent crimes reported. Only 1,990 violent crimes were reported in 2019, compared with 2,115 in 2020. Overall, the county was responsible for 2.6 percent of the state’s violent crime total that year.
By 2023, the violent crime rate in Polk County was 172.3 per 100,000 people. This rate was slightly higher than the 150.7 per 100,000 rate for all of Florida that year.
Some of the prison sentences for crimes committed in Polk County in 2020 included:
- 148 new prison commitments for drug offenses
- 121 new commitments for violent crimes other than homicide and robbery
- 102 new prison commitments for burglary
- 95 new prison sentences for property theft and fraud crimes
- 70 new prison commitments for other offenses
In 2020, the total number of people who were sentenced to prison in Polk County was 674 out of 12,834 people for the whole state of Florida.
Areas to Avoid in Polk County
Although crime can happen anywhere in Florida, the following areas of Polk County have experienced violent criminal acts at a higher rate than other parts of the county:
- Lakeland, near the southern and eastern portions of Lake Parker
- Winter Haven, in the neighborhoods around the eastern shore of Lake Howard and near the airport
- Areas to the northeast and southwest of Polk City
- In and around Auburndale
If you are visiting these areas, consider taking additional precautions. Keep valuables out of plain sight, stay in well-lit and populated areas at night, and avoid visiting unfamiliar areas alone, especially after dark.
Safe Communities and Neighborhoods in Polk County
By contrast, the following parts of the county experience a lower rate of violent crime and are generally considered safer areas:
- Eagle Lake
- Lake Alfred, especially areas to the immediate northeast
- Haines City and areas immediately south
- West of Davenport, around Lake Lowery
While violent crime may not occur as frequently in these communities as in others, you should still be alert to your surroundings and avoid situations that make you feel uncomfortable.
Contact the Polk County Criminal Defense Lawyers at Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law for Help Today
Compared to other parts of the state, especially neighboring counties, Polk County is certainly not the most dangerous, or even one of the most dangerous, counties in Florida. Nevertheless, there are portions of the county that experience higher levels of crime than others. By knowing where these areas are, you and your family can take proactive steps to protect your safety.
For more information, contact us today to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer at Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law.
Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law
112 E Poinsettia St
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 264-5100