Polk County's 50 largest employers — and where to live near each.

1

Retail & Distributionest. ~7,000 employees

Publix Super Markets

Lakeland, FL

Publix Super Markets is headquartered at 3300 Publix Corporate Pkwy in Lakeland, making it the largest corporate employer in Polk County and the largest employee-owned grocery chain in the United States. The Lakeland campus houses corporate technology, finance, human resources, legal, and distribution leadership, while several massive distribution centers ring the city along US-98 and I-4.

2

Educationest. ~13,000 employees

Polk County School District

Bartow, FL

Polk County Schools is the sixth-largest school district in Florida, operating more than 150 schools across a county that spans from the suburbs of Tampa to the western edge of metro Orlando. The district is headquartered in Bartow and recruits teachers and staff from nearby Florida Southern College, Florida Poly, and Southeastern University.

3

Healthcareest. ~5,500 employees

Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center

Lakeland, FL

Lakeland Regional Health is the dominant regional healthcare system in Polk County, anchored by its 864-bed medical center — the largest in the area — and supplemented by the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children, cancer institute, and a growing network of outpatient clinics. LRH is the second-largest private employer in the county.

4

Insuranceest. ~4,500 employees

GEICO Insurance

Lakeland, FL

GEICO operates one of its largest regional operations centers in Lakeland on US-98, employing auto-insurance claims adjusters, customer-service representatives, and IT professionals in a massive campus that has expanded multiple times since opening in the early 1990s. The facility is a key driver of Lakeland's professional job market and has produced generations of insurance-industry talent.

5

Retail & Distributionest. ~5,000 employees

Amazon (Lakeland Fulfillment & Delivery)

Lakeland, FL

Amazon operates multiple fulfillment and sortation centers in the Lakeland area, leveraging the city's exceptional logistics position at the intersection of I-4 and US-98 between Orlando and Tampa. The LEX7 fulfillment center alone employs thousands, and multiple delivery stations in Polk County add to Amazon's total headcount in the region.

6

Healthcareest. ~2,500 employees

Watson Clinic

Lakeland, FL

Watson Clinic is the largest private multispecialty medical practice in Polk County, with more than 200 physicians practicing across its main Lakeland campus and satellite clinics. Founded in 1941, Watson Clinic provides primary care, cardiology, oncology, and surgical services, and it frequently serves as a residency training affiliate for medical schools throughout Florida.

7

Governmentest. ~3,500 employees

Polk County Government

Bartow, FL

Polk County's government is headquartered in the county seat of Bartow and employs sheriff's deputies, circuit-court staff, public works engineers, utilities operators, and social services professionals. Polk County spans nearly 2,000 square miles, and its workforce manages infrastructure and services for a highly diverse population ranging from citrus-country towns to Orlando-area bedroom communities.

8

Transportationest. ~3,500 employees

Saddle Creek Logistics Services

Lakeland, FL

Saddle Creek Logistics is headquartered in Lakeland and is one of the largest privately owned logistics companies in the United States, operating fulfillment, transportation, and warehousing services from a national network of facilities. Its Lakeland home base employs operations managers, IT staff, and supply-chain analysts, and the company's roots in Polk County run decades deep.

9

Healthcareest. ~2,000 employees

AdventHealth Winter Haven

Winter Haven, FL

AdventHealth Winter Haven is a 350-bed acute-care hospital serving Polk County's eastern communities from Winter Haven and Haines City to Lake Wales. The hospital offers cardiology, orthopedics, and cancer services and is a major employer in the Chain of Lakes corridor, where healthcare professionals often live in Winter Haven's lakefront neighborhoods.

10

Manufacturingest. ~2,800 employees

The Mosaic Company

Mulberry, FL

The Mosaic Company is the world's largest producer of concentrated phosphate and potash and operates its Florida phosphate mining and processing operations from the Bone Valley region centered in Mulberry and southeastern Polk County. Mosaic employs mining engineers, process chemists, environmental scientists, and heavy-equipment operators who form the backbone of the county's industrial workforce.

11

Governmentest. ~2,500 employees

City of Lakeland

Lakeland, FL

The City of Lakeland employs a large municipal workforce that manages police, fire, Lakeland Electric, Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, parks, and public works for a city of more than 130,000 residents. Lakeland's historic downtown, 38 lakes, and competitive housing market make it a high-quality-of-life address for city employees.

12

Hospitality & Entertainmentest. ~2,000 employees

Legoland Florida Resort (Merlin Entertainments)

Winter Haven, FL

LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Winter Haven is one of Central Florida's top theme parks and the centerpiece of the old Cypress Gardens site on Lake Eloise. Operated by Merlin Entertainments, the resort employs ride operators, hospitality staff, culinary professionals, and engineering teams year-round, making it the dominant private employer in the eastern Polk corridor.

13

Healthcareest. ~1,200 employees

AdventHealth Heart of Florida

Haines City, FL

AdventHealth Heart of Florida serves the northern Polk County corridor, with its main campus in Haines City and outpatient facilities in Davenport, Poinciana, and Dundee. As the area around Haines City has become a major new-home construction market serving Disney-area workers, the hospital's clinical and administrative workforce has grown steadily.

14

Healthcareest. ~1,000 employees

BayCare Health (Bartow Regional Medical Center)

Bartow, FL

Bartow Regional Medical Center is a BayCare Health System hospital providing acute care, emergency services, and surgical specialties for southern Polk County. BayCare's integration of the former Morton Plant affiliate into its Tampa Bay-based system has brought new technology investment and career-development pathways to Bartow's healthcare professionals.

15

Higher Educationest. ~1,500 employees

Polk State College

Winter Haven / Lakeland, FL

Polk State College operates campuses in Winter Haven and Lakeland, plus a corporate college in Bartow, providing workforce education in nursing, aviation technology, and business for Polk County residents. Its faculty and staff are distributed across Polk's communities, and its graduates feed directly into the county's healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics industries.

16

Higher Educationest. ~600 employees

Florida Polytechnic University

Auburndale (I-4 Corridor), FL

Florida Polytechnic University opened in 2014 on a futuristic Santiago Calatrava-designed campus along I-4 in Auburndale, focusing exclusively on STEM degrees in engineering, technology, and data science. The university's proximity to Amazon, Saddle Creek, and the I-4 logistics corridor creates direct industry partnerships, and its faculty are key contributors to Polk's technology ecosystem.

17

Higher Educationest. ~800 employees

Florida Southern College

Lakeland, FL

Florida Southern College is home to the world's largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and one of Florida's top-ranked liberal arts institutions. Located on the shores of Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland, it employs faculty, coaches, and administrative staff who often walk to campus from the surrounding lakeside neighborhoods.

18

Higher Educationest. ~700 employees

Southeastern University

Lakeland, FL

Southeastern University is a Christian liberal-arts university in Lakeland that has grown significantly in recent years, with new health-sciences and psychology programs attracting a broader student body. Its faculty and professional staff live throughout the Lakeland metro, often in the established neighborhoods near the Lakeland Highlands corridor.

19

Governmentest. ~900 employees

City of Winter Haven

Winter Haven, FL

Winter Haven — the City of 100 Lakes — employs municipal workers managing a community that has transformed from a citrus-processing center into a diversified tourism and healthcare hub anchored by LEGOLAND and AdventHealth. City employees are drawn to the affordable waterfront neighborhoods along the Chain of Lakes.

20

Retail & Distributionest. ~2,000 employees

Walmart (Stores & Distribution)

Multiple Polk County Locations

Walmart operates a significant presence in Polk County — with Supercenter stores in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Haines City, Bartow, Lake Wales, and Auburndale — plus a regional distribution center. Combined, Walmart's Polk County footprint makes it one of the county's top five private employers by headcount.

21

Utilitiesest. ~650 employees

Lakeland Electric

Lakeland, FL

Lakeland Electric is the third-largest municipal electric utility in Florida, owned by the City of Lakeland and providing power to approximately 135,000 customers in Polk County. It employs engineers, linemen, customer-service specialists, and IT staff who manage the grid infrastructure for Lakeland's growing residential and commercial base.

22

Utilitiesest. ~700 employees

Duke Energy Florida

Multiple Polk Locations

Duke Energy Florida operates power plants, transmission lines, and service centers throughout Polk County, serving customers in Winter Haven, Bartow, Haines City, and the unincorporated areas. The Polk Power Station in Mulberry — a 250-megawatt integrated gasification combined-cycle plant — is one of the most technologically advanced power facilities in the state.

23

Transportationest. ~1,500 employees

Comcar Industries

Lakeland, FL

Comcar Industries is one of the largest privately owned trucking and transportation companies in the United States, headquartered in Lakeland. It operates multiple trucking and logistics subsidiaries, with a large maintenance and dispatch hub in Lakeland that employs drivers, mechanics, and operations coordinators who rely on the city's central Florida highway access.

24

Manufacturingest. ~600 employees

Gerdau (Lakeland Steel Mill)

Lakeland, FL

Gerdau's Lakeland steel mill produces rebar and wire rod for the construction industry from a large facility near the US-98 industrial corridor. Metallurgists, maintenance engineers, and skilled trades workers at the mill are well-compensated relative to the local market and often choose Lakeland's affordable lakefront neighborhoods.

25

Governmentest. ~500 employees

City of Bartow

Bartow, FL

Bartow serves as the Polk County seat and is known for its historic Victorian architecture and phosphate-industry heritage. Its municipal workforce manages police, fire, public works, and the Bartow Municipal Airport, and many employees live in the city's historic residential neighborhoods that surround the courthouse square.

26

Transportationest. ~800 employees

FedEx Ground (Lakeland Hub)

Lakeland, FL

FedEx Ground operates a major distribution hub in Lakeland that serves as a critical node in the company's southeastern U.S. network. Its position at the I-4 / US-98 intersection gives the facility same-day reach to both Orlando and Tampa, and it handles packages for all of Polk County and portions of Hillsborough and Highlands counties.

27

Transportationest. ~700 employees

UPS (Lakeland Distribution Center)

Lakeland, FL

UPS's Lakeland package-sorting facility is one of its busiest in Central Florida, leveraging Lakeland's geographic midpoint between Orlando and Tampa to enable efficient statewide distribution. Hub supervisors and package car drivers here often settle in Lakeland's established residential areas east of downtown.

28

Retail & Distributionest. ~2,000 employees

Publix Distribution Centers

Lakeland, FL

Beyond its corporate headquarters, Publix operates several distribution centers in Lakeland — for dry goods, fresh, and frozen products — that supply stores across Florida and the Southeast. These DC facilities employ warehouse associates, transportation managers, and quality-assurance specialists in round-the-clock operations.

29

Governmentest. ~450 employees

City of Haines City

Haines City, FL

Haines City sits at the northern gateway to the Disney World resort area in Osceola County, and its municipal government manages explosive residential growth as commuters priced out of Orange County have discovered Polk's more affordable communities. City workers manage new infrastructure, permitting backlogs, and a rapidly expanding parks system.

30

Retail & Distributionest. ~500 employees

Rooms To Go (Lakeland Distribution)

Lakeland, FL

Rooms To Go operates a major Florida distribution center in the Lakeland logistics corridor, employing warehouse, delivery, and logistics management staff who move furniture orders across the state. The distribution center benefits from Lakeland's central position on I-4, enabling same-day or next-day delivery to most of Florida's major markets.

31

Food Serviceest. ~500 employees

Florida's Natural Growers (Citrus World)

Lake Wales, FL

Florida's Natural Growers — a brand of Citrus World, Inc. — processes and distributes fresh-squeezed orange juice from a large production facility in Lake Wales at the heart of Florida's historic citrus belt. The cooperative employs food scientists, production technicians, and logistics coordinators who live in Lake Wales and the surrounding communities.

32

Governmentest. ~450 employees

City of Lake Wales

Lake Wales, FL

Lake Wales is a historic Polk County city known for Bok Tower Gardens, one of Florida's most beautiful National Historic Landmarks. Its municipal government manages a citrus-heritage downtown experiencing new investment, and city employees often choose Lake Wales's historic residential neighborhoods for their affordability and character.

33

Insuranceest. ~600 employees

WellCare Health Plans (Centene Corporation)

Lakeland, FL

WellCare, now part of Centene Corporation, maintains managed-care operations in Lakeland focused on Medicare Advantage and Medicaid plans. Polk County's large retiree population and Medicaid enrollment make it a strategically important market, and WellCare's Lakeland office employs care coordinators, actuaries, and network-management professionals.

34

Retail & Distributionest. ~1,500 employees

Walmart Distribution Center (Lakeland DC)

Lakeland, FL

Walmart's Lakeland distribution center on US-98 South is one of the company's largest Florida facilities, replenishing store shelves across the Central Florida region. Distribution-center associates, forklift operators, and logistics managers benefit from the facility's location in one of Lakeland's most accessible industrial corridors.

35

Retail & Distributionest. ~600 employees

Target (Stores & Regional Distribution)

Lakeland / Winter Haven, FL

Target operates stores in Lakeland and Winter Haven and connects to its distribution network through the Clermont and Plant City area DCs. Store management professionals in Polk's Target locations often live in Lakeland's midtown neighborhoods or the expanding communities near Auburndale along I-4.

36

Financial Servicesest. ~400 employees

South State Bank

Winter Haven / Lakeland, FL

South State Bank (which absorbed CenterState Bank) is one of Polk County's most active commercial lenders, with branches in Winter Haven, Lakeland, Bartow, and Haines City. Commercial bankers who build careers here often choose Winter Haven's Chain of Lakes neighborhoods or Lakeland's Southgate area for their combination of affordability and community character.

37

Financial Servicesest. ~400 employees

Truist Bank (Polk County Operations)

Lakeland, FL

Truist Bank's Polk County branch network and mortgage-origination offices serve one of Florida's most active residential lending markets. The county's mix of first-time homebuyers in Davenport and move-up buyers in the Lakeland highlands creates demand for a full range of banking products.

38

Governmentest. ~600 employees

USPS (Lakeland Processing & Distribution Center)

Lakeland, FL

The U.S. Postal Service operates a major processing and distribution center in Lakeland that sorts and routes mail for all of Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties. This facility runs 24/7 and employs mail processing equipment operators, postal inspectors, and transportation coordinators who are part of the fabric of Lakeland's working-class neighborhoods.

39

Governmentest. ~380 employees

City of Auburndale

Auburndale, FL

Auburndale is Polk County's fastest-growing city by percentage, with its proximity to Florida Polytechnic University and the I-4 logistics corridor driving explosive residential development. Its expanding municipal government manages new infrastructure, parks, and permitting for a community that has become a top destination for young professionals and tech workers.

40

Food Serviceest. ~450 employees

Pepsi Beverages Company (Lakeland)

Lakeland, FL

Pepsi Beverages operates a production and distribution facility in Lakeland that supplies carbonated beverages and Gatorade products to retailers across Central Florida. Route drivers, production line operators, and logistics supervisors at the Lakeland plant are mainstays of the county's food-and-beverage manufacturing workforce.

41

Retail & Distributionest. ~500 employees

Lowe's (Stores)

Lakeland / Winter Haven, FL

Lowe's stores in Lakeland and Winter Haven serve Polk County's active construction and home-improvement market, which includes a large population of citrus-industry homeowners, new-community builders, and renovation-focused retirees. Department managers and installation coordinators here often settle in the lakefront communities near Winter Haven.

42

Retail & Distributionest. ~480 employees

Home Depot (Stores)

Lakeland / Winter Haven / Haines City, FL

Home Depot stores in Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Haines City collectively serve the high-volume contractor and homeowner market in Polk County. With Mosaic's phosphate operations, Gerdau's steel mill, and thousands of new homes being built annually, the demand for building materials keeps these stores among the busiest in their district.

43

Retail & Distributionest. ~500 employees

Winn-Dixie / Southeastern Grocers

Multiple Polk County Locations

Winn-Dixie stores in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Haines City, and Lake Wales serve a significant segment of Polk County's grocery market, particularly in communities where Publix has not yet established a strong presence. Store associates and department leads in these locations work close to home in Polk's more established residential neighborhoods.

44

Financial Servicesest. ~350 employees

Heartland Bank

Sebring / Lakeland, FL

Heartland Bank, alongside a cluster of regional community banks in Polk County including Seacoast Bank and Centennial Bank, collectively provide commercial and agricultural lending to Polk's farm operators, phosphate businesses, and small manufacturers. Community bankers who work this market frequently live in Bartow, Lake Wales, or the smaller citrus-country towns.

45

Aerospace & Defenseest. ~400 employees

L3Harris Technologies (Winter Haven Offices)

Winter Haven, FL

L3Harris Technologies maintains engineering and defense-electronics support operations in Winter Haven connected to its broader Central Florida network. With Florida Polytechnic University nearby and the I-4 technology corridor accessible, the Winter Haven facility draws experienced defense engineers who want the more affordable lifestyle of eastern Polk County.

46

Financial Servicesest. ~300 employees

Publix Employees Federal Credit Union

Lakeland, FL

Publix Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU) serves the financial needs of Publix associates and their families from its Lakeland headquarters. As a direct employer, it provides member-services, lending, and financial-planning staff who are part of the broader Publix corporate ecosystem in Lakeland.

47

Hospitality & Entertainmentest. ~200 employees

Lakeland Flying Tigers (Detroit Tigers Minor League)

Lakeland, FL

Lakeland has been the spring-training home of the Detroit Tigers since 1934 — the longest continuous relationship between a team and a Florida city in spring-training history. The Lakeland Flying Tigers (Single-A affiliate) and Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium employ coaching staff, front-office professionals, and game-day operations workers who are beloved fixtures of the Lakeland community.

48

Retail & Distributionest. ~350 employees

CarMax

Lakeland, FL

CarMax's Lakeland location captures demand from the county's large population of commuters who need reliable vehicles for drives to Tampa and Orlando. Sales consultants and service technicians here frequently choose Lakeland's Highlands City or Lakeside Village neighborhoods for convenient access to the dealership's south Lakeland location.

49

Manufacturingest. ~300 employees

Air Products and Chemicals (Lakeland)

Lakeland, FL

Air Products operates industrial gas production facilities in the Lakeland manufacturing corridor, supplying nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen to the region's steel, food-processing, and healthcare industries. Process engineers and plant operators at this facility are part of Polk County's specialized industrial workforce.

50

Nonprofitest. ~500 employees

Peace River Center for Personal Development

Bartow, FL

Peace River Center is Polk County's primary community mental health and substance-abuse treatment provider, operating crisis stabilization units, outpatient counseling, and residential services across the county. Its clinicians, case managers, and peer-support specialists — based primarily in Bartow and Lakeland — provide a safety net for tens of thousands of Polk County residents annually.