Major takeaways

• 121,968 — Lakeland’s 2023 total population, which has grown by 23,195 since 2013
• 12.1% — The city’s growth rate from 2020-2023, making it the country’s fastest-growing metro area
• 42.5% — The projected 10-year job growth for the city
• 52,730 — The number of people considered a part of Lakeland’s annual labor force in 2023
• 3.6% — Lakeland’s total unemployment rate for 2023, only slightly higher than in 2022, which had the city’s lowest unemployment rate in 12+ years

What this means for us

• 5 Year Anniversary Celebration for Your CBD Store Winter Haven | Friday, Aug. 23-Saturday, Aug. 24 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | SUNMED Your CBD Store Winter Haven | Free entry | Storewide sales of up to 70% off are just the start of this four-day anniversary celebration — register for a free wellness kit valued at $200.*
• Hope House Grand Opening | Friday, Aug. 23 | 4-6 p.m. | Hope House | Free | Drop by + take a tour of this new home for expectant mothers.
• Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Bradenton Marauders | Friday, Aug. 23-Sunday, Aug. 25 | Times vary | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium | $8-$35 | Cheer on the Flying Tigers in this weekend game series.

• Mind, Body, Movement: Dancehall Fit Class | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 8-9 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Enjoy a high-energy, all-levels workout that uses music from the dancehall, reggae, soca, reggaeton, and calypso genres.
• Back 2 School Esports Bash | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 12-4 p.m. | XP League Lakeland | Free | Drop into this open house to learn about memberships + get season sign-up deals.
• Taylor Swift Night | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 4-8 p.m. | Brew Hub | Free entry | Swifties can play music bingo and sip themed drink specials, or add on a friendship bracelet craft with Millie & Co.

• Paradise Market | Sunday, Aug. 25 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Camp Margaritaville Auburndale | Free entry | Peruse goods from local entrepreneurs at this lively indoor market.
• Live Hart w/ The Crepe Company | Sunday, Aug. 25 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free entry | There’s nothing better than brunch and beer to start off your week.

• Auditions: “Jekyll & Hyde” | Monday, Aug. 26 + Tuesday, Aug. 27 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre | Free | Try out for this community musical running in November.

• Lakeland came in at No. 27 on WalletHub’s 2024 list of best small city real estate markets in the US. Rankings were determined based on 17 indicators, from median home-price appreciation to job growth. Forget “Selling Sunset” — we’re “Selling Swan City.”

• LoveBird’s Almost Famous Chicken is soft opening its downtown Winter Haven location next weekend. Stop by Friday, Aug. 30 through Sunday, Sept. 1 to be one of the first to get your bird on. Regular hours begin Tuesday, Sept. 3.

• SEU has partnered with Visit Central Florida to create experiential learning opportunities for its tourism and hospitality management students. In a new course, students will learn from + network with industry leaders, as well as go behind the scenes of tourism hotspots.

• Break out the birthday candles. Yesterday marked the 100th anniversary of The Ledger. Originally established as The Lakeland Evening Ledger, the publication has evolved from a daily newspaper into a full multimedia brand.

• Holy smokes — Jimbo’s Pit BBQ is celebrating 60 years of business in September. The family-owned Lakeland eatery has operated under the same family for more than three generations and is honoring its customers with a whole month of deals + specials.

• The start of the 10th annual Tampa Bay Theatre Festival. Founded by Mulberry native Rory Lawrence, the festival will host stage readings, workshops, competitions, and more over the next three days at the Straz Center in Tampa — grab your tickets. (WFLA)

• We recently asked how you prefer to shop for produce. Around 78% of respondents didn’t squash the opportunity to share that they like going through farmers, while 20% said they’d rather just head to the grocery store. No matter your produce preference, get to know what’s in season this fall.

• International Aero Charters will offer same-day, round-trip private flights this September for sports fans looking to cheer on Florida State and University of Florida teams. Flights begin at $450 per person and will depart out of LAL. Prefer to keep it local? Root for these 10 Lakeland teams.

• Good news: Rates are expected to go down soon. Compare fixed-rate loans and HELOCs to find your best way to borrow — calculate your payment.*

• We get it — this is a busy time of year. If pain is keeping you from keeping up with new-school-year schedules, schedule an appointment with Lakeland Regional Health Interventional Pain Management specialist Dr. Zishan Hashmi. Bonus: See five things Dr. Hashmi wants you to know about pain management.*

• Age 55+? Want to find a rewarding new venture post-retirement? Here are several opportunities to volunteer in our community. (Perks include feeling accomplished, fit, and connected.)*

• Cheers to four years. In celebration of its four-year anniversary, Lakeland’s Local GEICO Office on South Florida Avenue is giving away cupcakes + GEICO swag to anyone who stops by today.*