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Willow Oak, FL

Census-designated place in Polk County, Florida.

Population

7,454

Land area

3.1sq mi

People per sq mi

2,390

ZIP codes

0

Willow Oak and its ZIP codes

Full map

Willow Oak at a glance

  • Willow Oak is about 5.7 times as dense as Florida as a whole.
  • Households here earn a median of $65,688 a year, 12% less than the Florida figure of $74,568.
  • A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $276,300 (23% below Florida) and median rent is $1,117 a month.

Local data for Willow Oak, FL

Counts from official public data

Housing and community stats

Willow Oak, FL, American Community Survey 2020-2024

Full profile

Median household income

$65,688

Poverty rate

24.7%

Median home value

$276,300

Median rent

$1,117/mo

Homeownership

49.7%

Bachelor's or higher

13.4%

Median age

29.1

Average commute

32.3 min

Largest reported origins and ancestries: Mexican Americans (2,783), Puerto Ricans (492), German Americans (455).

Home values and rentsIncome, education and commute

Economy and federal money

Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Polk County. PPP loans are for Willow Oak.

Details

Unemployment rate

5.6%

Aug 2026, +0.3 pts in a year

Average annual pay

$57,763

264,981 jobs, 2025

Income per person

$46,274

BEA, 2024

Federal spending

$5.3B

FY 2026, $7,284 per person

Polk County economyFederal spending

How people get to work

Willow Oak, FL, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates

  • Drove alone76.4%
  • Carpooled12.8%
  • Public transit0.0%
  • Walked0.4%
  • Bicycle0.3%
  • Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.8%
  • Worked from home9.1%

Average one-way commute: 32.3 minutes for people who do not work from home.

Environment and hazard risk

Willow Oak, FL, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA

Full report

Natural hazard risk

Relatively High

Top: strong wind

Storm events since 1996

742

Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind

Flood insurance policies

7,144

2.6% of homes, county

July high / Jan low

92° / 51°F

56.8 inches of rain a year

Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone

Health statistics

Share of adults in Willow Oak, FL, CDC PLACES estimates

All 40 measures

Obesity

41.7%

U.S. 33.3% +8.4 pts

Diabetes

12.2%

U.S. 12.1% about the same

Smoking

17.2%

U.S. 12.8% +4.4 pts

Uninsured (18-64)

24.5%

U.S. 11.1% +13.4 pts

Cities near Willow Oak

NameDistanceLand area (sq mi)
Fuller HeightsCensus-designated place1.6 mi4.1
MulberryCity1.9 mi6.8
MedullaCensus-designated place3 mi5.6
Lakeland HighlandsCensus-designated place5.1 mi4.9
Highland CityCensus-designated place9 mi7.9
Bradley JunctionCensus-designated place9.2 mi2.1
Plant CityCity9.3 mi29.9
Crystal LakeCensus-designated place10 mi2.6
LakelandCity10 mi66.6
Combee SettlementCensus-designated place12 mi2
BartowCity12 mi46.5
ValricoCensus-designated place13 mi13.8
Fish HawkCensus-designated place13 mi16.2
DoverCensus-designated place13 mi2.6
Fussels CornerCensus-designated place13 mi5.4
KathleenCensus-designated place14 mi7.2

Frequently asked questions

What county is Willow Oak, FL in?
Willow Oak is in Polk County, Florida.
What is the population of Willow Oak, FL?
About 7,454 people live in Willow Oak, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
What cities are near Willow Oak?
Nearby places include Fuller Heights (1.6 mi), Mulberry (1.9 mi), Medulla (3 mi), Lakeland Highlands (5.1 mi), Highland City (9 mi).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023