The most current washingtonpost.com articles can be found on our homepage.Our site index is also available for sections and features on washingtonpost.com. Search NewsJobsAPShoppingArchivesEntertain. Search our paid Archives for articles from 14 days ago back to 1977 For incorrectly linked articles or features, please send e-mail to our Customer Care team. We appreciate your help! © Copyright 2002 The Washington Post Company

FLORIDA 12 : Central - Polk County; Lakeland; parts of Hillsborough County

Florida's 12th has plenty of land but much of it is covered by citrus groves and lakes, not beaches and developments. Wedged between Tampa and Orlando, it includes most of Polk County and all of Hardee and DeSoto counties. The 12th also touches portions of eastern Hillsborough and Pasco counties, mostly rural areas like the rest of the district.

Although Democrats outnumber Republicans, most residents are conservative on social and economic issues and gave the GOP a slim edge for president in 1996. Similarly, the GOP carried the district in the 1992 presidential contest. For state and local elections, traditional Southern Democrats make this a competitive area.

The 12th's economy grew steadily during the 1990s, despite some weather-related dips among citrus crops. Florida's phosphate mining industry has its home around Bartow and Mulberry, while Publix Supermarkets has its headquarters in Lakeland. These industries provide consistent economic support, while citrus crops are more prone to ups and downs. Retirees and spring baseball fans are attracted to the district's several stadiums and inexpensive housing, especially mobile home parks. The 12th's population growth has been steady - Lakeland was the fourth-fastest-growing city in Florida during the 1990s.

Major Industry
Agriculture, mining, utilities

Population
562,381 (1990)

Cities
Lakeland, 73,157; Winter Haven, 25,484 (1997); Plant City (pt.), 22,368 (1990)

People
47% urban; 17% age 65+ (ranks 12 of 23 in state; top third nationally); 62% married couples, 25% married couples with children; 13% college educated (ranks 19 of 23 in state; bottom third nationally); 51% white collar (ranks 20 of 23 in state; bottom third nationally), 29% blue collar (ranks first of 23 in state; middle third nationally) (1990)

Race
84% white, 13% black, 1% Asian; 6% Hispanic origin (1990)

Median Household Income
$25,315 (ranks 16 of 23 in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)

Unusual Features
Spook Hill, in Lake Wales, is a local oddity where cars parked in neutral at the base of the hill will roll up, defying gravity; Lakeland hosts the second-largest gathering of experimental aircraft and pilots in the world.

© 2002 The Washington Post Company