Some Floridians live in metros where it feels like growth is coming at a fast clip. However, statistics show us which metros are actually growing the fastest. Census data has shown that between 2020 and 2023, Lakeland was the fastest-growing metro in the nation, followed by Port St. Lucie, Cape Coral, and North Port. And now, many cities, including Lakeland, have faced high foreclosure rates this year and last year.
Lakeland Had The Most Foreclosures In The Nation In 2024: A report by property data firm ATTOM indicated that Polk County’s Lakeland ranked first in the nation for the most foreclosure filings in 2024 – one in every 172 homes faced foreclosure. County-wise, Hillsborough, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Orange counties had the most foreclosures in Florida last year.
Why Do Some Florida Cities Have So High A Foreclosure Rate?: Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Forecasting, told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune that a dramatic rise in housing prices coupled with rising interest rates as well as high homeowners’ insurance rates could all be contributing factors to foreclosures in Florida.
In 2023, a study from Florida Atlantic University found that homebuyers in Lakeland were paying a 41.96% premium for homes.
Livability In Lakeland: Lakeland receives a B+ livability rating by Niche and has a population of around 113,000. One resident wrote, in part:
“Lakeland, Florida, is such a special place to call home. Nestled between Tampa and Orlando, it has a small-town charm while offering plenty of modern amenities. One of the things that makes Lakeland truly unique is its beautiful lakes and the swans that grace them, giving the city a peaceful, almost storybook feel. The community here is warm and welcoming…it’s a family-friendly city with great schools, parks, and activities for all ages.”
I live in Lakeland. It no longer has that small town feel. So many cookie cutter developments are going up, traffic is horrible. Even in the areas with a modular home, people are annexing a portion of their property and adding more modular homes. I can’t afford to buy in my area. Rent has almost doubled, and the home value has tripled.