Polk County, Florida
Kitchen remodeling in Lakeland, FL
Lakeland has 54,896 homes, 56% of the occupied ones lived in by their owners. Half were built before 1983.
The homes of Lakeland
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimates for Lakeland city.
More homes in Lakeland were built in the 1970s than in any other decade, 18% of them, followed by the 1980s at 18%. A kitchen put in when one of those houses was new is now about 51 years old, unless it has been redone since.
45% of homes here were built before 1980. In a home built before 1978, a remodel that disturbs painted cabinets, trim or walls has to be done by a firm certified for lead-safe work by EPA. Ask for the certificate when you book the measure.
Detached houses are 49% of homes in Lakeland; the rest are townhomes, condos and apartments. In a condo or townhome the association may have to approve work on plumbing, walls or wiring, so ask for its rules before the measure.
ZIP codes
ZIP codes where Lakeland is the largest place
| ZIP code | Homes | Owner-occupied | Median year built | Built before 1980 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33801 | 15,777 | 49% | 1976 | 58% |
| 33803 | 15,120 | 64% | 1973 | 63% |
| 33809 | 12,823 | 64% | 1989 | 20% |
| 33805 | 12,351 | 50% | 1987 | 36% |
| 33811 | 11,310 | 77% | 1998 | 17% |
| 33815 | 7,608 | 60% | 1977 | 61% |
What kitchen trades earn here
Electricians in the Lakeland area earn a median $26.40 an hour and plumbers $24.62, against $30.38 and $30.67 across the country (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). That is what the workers are paid, not what a contractor charges for their time. All five kitchen trades: Lakeland area.
Before you sign: Florida
Florida licenses contractors for structural, plumbing, electrical and mechanical work. Cities and counties may not require a license for cabinetry, flooring, painting, tile, stone and granite installation, or interior remodeling that includes no task the state licenses. Casual or minor work under $2,500 is exempt unless it is part of a larger job.
Contracts, licenses and lead-safe rules in Florida · Permits · What it costs
Elsewhere in the Lakeland area
- Lakeland Highlands, FL4,685 homes · half built before 1986
- Kathleen, FL2,519 homes · half built before 1991
- Highland City, FL4,980 homes · half built before 2000
- Jan Phyl Village, FL2,274 homes · half built before 1979
- Auburndale, FL7,708 homes · half built before 1990
- Mulberry, FL2,066 homes · half built before 1989
- Polk City, FL1,110 homes · half built before 2007
- Eagle Lake, FL1,435 homes · half built before 1989
- Winter Haven, FL23,431 homes · half built before 1990
- Bartow, FL8,019 homes · half built before 1979