6AM City In-house

Are you a lifelong Lakelander?

Lakeland’s migration patterns
Aerial shot of downtown Lakeland and three lakes
Are you a new Lakelander or have you been here all your life? | Photo by @eagle_8_wfla
Can you say that you were “born and raised in Lakeland,” or are you one of our more recent transplants? We took a deep dive into Migration Patterns — which uses data from the United States Census Bureau — to show where most Lakelanders move to and from between the ages of 16 and 26.

It turns out that there’s a good chance our readers have been around for a while.
  • Of Lakeland’s young adults who grew up here, ~64% chose to stay in Lakeland.
  • 17% of those who lived in Lakeland at age 16 moved away but stayed in Florida, and 18% moved out of state.
  • Most in-state movers opted to stay close to home in larger cities Tampa and Orlando.
  • The most popular destinations for those who moved out of state are Atlanta, GA; New York, NY; Washington, DC; and Los Angeles, CA.
  • Former Lakelanders moved an average of 202 miles away for a new job, above the national average of 181 miles.
In addition to the young adults choosing to stay in Swan City, Lakeland is also one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. So from where are new Lakelanders moving?
  • Of Lakeland’s current young adult residents, 16% moved from other areas in Florida.
  • Most of these movers are from urban cities like Tampa, Orlando, and Miami.
  • 20% of residents came from out of state, with most moving from up north.
  • It’s most likely that your new neighbors are from New York, NY; Newark, NJ; or Philadelphia, PA.
  • Lakeland’s job market is also bringing in residents from near and far — the average young adult moved here from 210 miles away for a local job.
Want to map it out for yourself? Check out migration patterns for Lakeland and more cities across the country, here.

What’s your migration story?

A. I was born and raised in Lakeland.
B. I moved here from somewhere else in Florida.
C. I moved here from out of state.
D. I no longer live in Lakeland.
TELL US YOUR STORY
Lakeland Economic Development Council

Click here to have your event featured.

Wednesday, Dec. 21
Thursday, Dec. 22
  • Free Yoga for Wellness — Weekly Classes | Thursday, Dec. 22 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | The Cloven Hoof Farm, North Lakeland | Free | This donation-based yoga class focuses on holistic well-being of the mind, body, and spirit.
Friday, Dec. 23
  • Festive Friday | Friday, Dec. 23 | 5-8 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | View Christmas lights and characters in Munn Park — retail stores will be open later for shoppers.
Saturday, Dec. 24
  • Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Shop produce, plants, and handmade goods from local makers at this weekly downtown farmer’s market.
  • Christmas Eve Candlelight Service | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 5 p.m. | Trinity Presbyterian Church, 301 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Everyone is invited to Trinity Presbyterian Church’s annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.*
Monday, Dec. 26
  • Kwanzaa at the Museum | Monday, Dec. 26 | 1:45-5 p.m. | African American Heritage Museum, 585 E. Summerlin St., Bartow | Celebrate Kwanzaa while learning about African American history.
Tuesday, Dec. 27
  • Lakeland Magic vs. Westchester Knicks | Tuesday, Dec. 27 | 7 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $12-$158 | See if the force is with the Magic in this “Star Wars"-themed game — the first 1,000 fans will receive a lightsaber.
Saturday, Dec. 31
  • New Year’s Eve Grand Buffet & After Party Staycation! | Saturday, Dec. 31 | 5 p.m.-1:30 a.m. | Terrace Hotel Lakeland, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, 329 E. Main St., Lakeland | $129-$189 | Enjoy a dinner buffet with seatings at 5 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9 p.m. — the final seating includes an after party with a countdown and champagne toast.*

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS
GreenWise Market

Weather
  • 70º | Mostly cloudy | 20% chance of rain
Traffic
  • City commissioners voted 4-1 to recommend a plan to make the South Florida Avenue road diet permanent at Monday’s meeting. The City and the Florida Department of Transportation will now begin a design phase — with considerations for pedestrian safety and easier access from side streets — and payment negotiations. 🚧 (The Ledger)
Edu
  • After rating him highly effective, Polk County School Board members voted to extend Superintendent Frederick Heid’s contract through June 2027. The School Board also offered him a pay raise, which Superintendent Heid ultimately turned down. (LkldNow)
Biz
  • After a years-long search for passenger airlines didn’t take off, Lakeland Linder International Airport will instead focus on expanding cargo shipping operations. The expansion includes that of Amazon, which is estimated to bring in $600,000 of annual impacts to LAL. ✈️ (LkldNow)
  • Need a location for your next team meeting or conference? Catapult has a variety of meeting rooms for rent that are able to accommodate any size group. Take a look at the options.*
Development
  • Got a need for speed? You’ll soon be able to satisfy it at The Motor Enclave, a 200-acre racetrack under construction in east Tampa, just 26 miles from downtown Lakeland. Guests can drive the 1.7-mile performance track when the attraction opens to the public in March. (Fox 13 News)
Film
  • New documentaries made in Lakeland could soon be coming to a screen near you. Indie Atlantic Studios has acquired the rights to “Devil in the Grove” and “Beneath a Ruthless Sun,” two non-fiction books set in Central Florida by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Gilbert King. 🎥
Holiday
  • Don’t miss one last chance to meet Santa this season at FrediDance Project’s Xmas Xperience. You can enjoy family activities, live performances, and photos with Santa at this free event on Friday, Dec. 23 from 5-9 p.m. in Munn Park.
Eat
  • Have any dinner plans tonight? Sorrel Bistro (1560 Town Center Dr.) recently added a dinner menu, available from 3-8 p.m. We’ve got our eye on the ropa vieja croquettes and the coconut snapper.
Trivia
  • Test your knowledge of the wizarding world with Keel Farm’s Harry Potter Trivia Night on Tuesday, Feb. 7. Dress in costume and answer questions for the chance to win prizes. Pro tip: Seating is limited, so make dining reservations early. 🧙
Shop
  • Don’t stress over finding last-minute gifts. Make gifting easy by selecting a gift card to our LALtoday shop, Six & Main. From candles to clothes, there’s something for everyone. Purchase a gift card today. 🎁
Number
  • 550,000+. The number of women who love The GIST, the sports newsletter with a much needed female perspective and equal coverage of women’s and men’s sports. Buh-bye, male-dominated sports media.*
Trending
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Edward Jones

Have a joyous, merry, happy holiday

Upcoming winter holidays
A paper calendar for December
Prepare for a packed December. | Photo by Olivia Gaines via Pexels
You’ve probably heard a lot of “happy holidays” this season — with good reason. Plenty of cultures celebrate the start of astronomical winter, the end of the year, or just the coming of cold weather by gathering with loved ones and giving thanks.

Look forward to:
  • Yule (begins Dec. 21, today), an ancient Germanic solstice festival. Celebrants mark the shortest day of the year and balance between light and dark.
  • Hanukkah (ongoing), the Jewish Festival of Lights which began the evening of Sunday, Dec. 18 and ends on Monday, Dec. 26.
  • Christmas (Dec. 25), a cultural and religious festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ — which, if you’ve put off gift shopping until now, there’s still time.
  • Kwanzaa (Dec. 26), a week of African American and pan-African celebration culminating in Karamu on Saturday, Dec. 31.
  • Lunar Bodhi Day (Dec. 30), celebrating the Buddha’s enlightenment through acts of kindness. “Secular” Bodhi Day was celebrated on Dec. 8.
You don’t need to celebrate them all — but let’s all celebrate together.
Center for Independent Living in Central Florida
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Connor.

Editor’s pick: Lakeland’s migration patterns were full of surprises. I’m a transplant from Tallahassee (which .72% of Lakelanders move to) but I was interested to see how many move here from big cities like New York and Philadelphia. Let us know where you’re from in our poll.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Find out a few creative ways to recycle your Christmas tree, here.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Rilee Delgado, Connor Keith, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

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