Winter Haven

Home value

$269,8002024

Less favorable than communities in Florida

Unemployment

5.7%2026

Violent crime

3522023

Work from home

9.7%2024

Winter Haven City — Nov 10, 2026

Source: Polco GPAL, using data from the original source shown for each indicator.

Community Memory

Florence Villa residents recall childhood memories as Winter Haven opens new recreation campus

Residents and meeting participants spoke about growing up at the old Florence Villa recreation center and praised the new Winter Haven facility as a continuation of those community traditions while preserving memory and access for future generations.

New Winter Haven rec center rises quickly with tilt-wall construction; designers emphasize approachable details

Vote favored demolishing old rec center and building new facility after public meetings

New Winter Haven center will include library, digital lab, gym and swim programs, residents say

Winter Haven says residents shaped plan: city 'put it to the community' on rec center fate

Land Use And Zoning

Winter Haven board approves two zoning ordinances and a plat vacation; budget ordinance set for second reading

Land Use And Governance

Commission splits on asking city attorney to study data‑center moratoria after reporting on Auburndale approvals

Transportation Infrastructure

Winter Haven staff previews 8th Street NW/Avenue L NW improvements as residents press for clarity on cut‑through traffic and tree impacts

Nov 10More Than a Building | The Story of the Winter Haven Recreation & Cultural CenterVote favored demolition and new construction, per participant report.Nov 9City Commission Meeting | 11-09-2026Motion to direct research failed; no city attorney action ordered.Nov 5Agenda Review Meeting | 11-04-2026Consensus to suspend the grant-aid program for funding cycles beginning Oct. 1, 2027 and to pause certain general-fund partner payments.Nov 52026 State of the CityConsensus to temporarily suspend grant-aid programs and certain general-fund expenditures to allow partners time to plan

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What stands out in Winter Haven

Data from Polco GPAL
Standouts compare Winter Haven with communities in Florida or of similar population size. Surprises are where the measured figure was unusually far from what Polco's model expected. Each fact gives its year; public data runs one to two years behind.

In 2023, Winter Haven's property crimes cleared was 20.6%; Polco's model expected 34.9%. It fell short of expectations.

2023 · FBI, via Polco GPAL

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City releases Parks & Recreation 2035 draft and secures five Opportunity Zone tracts; youth football group seeks liaison