By Manuella Irwin
Updated: Aug 2, 2026
6 min read
Reviewed by Martin Pаnауоtоv
Editor
Martin is founder of MoveAdvisor, formerly MyMovingReviews.com.
747 movers in Bartow
"Just wanted to Thank the Moving around the Clock folks. From the first call to the last item moved for me. The service was so professional and kind. I so appreciated how good they were as a Team and getting the job done. Just made my move so much ..."
"Michael & Jose were EXCELLENT!! We had a few hitches on our side before getting to start, but Michael & Jose were so patient and genuinely caring. When all was ready they were professional, fast and efficient!! The whole Company made it such a SMO..."
"Great experience! These movers were: on time, quick, and professional! I had to sponsor a move for my grandma who didn't have a lot of time to get the move done (Like 2 to 3 days). Scott's Discount Movers worked with us to squeeze her move in with..."
"Upon delivering my 10 boxes one was missing my keyboard worth 1000.00 they say oops it’s at the back of the truck we will deliver the rest of the truck to other customers and come back with your keyboard .. sent me a picture of it yup that’s mine ..."
"Our job was pretty hard - we had just made a cross country move with two pods full of very heavy furniture and a ton of inefficiently packed heavy boxes. Juan, Jacob and Omar unloaded everything into our home in only 2 hours with zero damage to ou..."
"Thanks for being by my side during the relocations. I appreciate your services. They came just at the right time. I needed perfect relocations the most at that particular moment and it happened so. After being disappointed multiple times, I needed..."
"I used Nationwide Moving Group in November of 2022 to move much of my furniture and had only the best experience! 4 Men came including a nice, chatty supervisor. They all worked hard, very carefully wrapped our furniture, were friendly and did no ..."
"The level of communication from their customer care unit was amazing, plus I got a quote almost immediately after contacting them. They arrived 20 minutes earlier and in no time they were done with the packing and loading; I was surprised at the l..."
"The movers treated my belongings with the kind of care I didn’t expect. They laid down mats, wrapped fragile items, and double-checked every detail. WHAT A CREW! They respected both my time and my home. That level of service earns five stars from me."
What to know when moving to Bartow, FL
TL;DR: Bartow at a Glance
- The Vibe:
- A community where 31.5% of residents are renters and the median household income is $62,636.
- The Major Draw:
- Median gross rent is $1,017, making it relatively affordable for the area.
- The Reality Check:
- 18.3% of residents live in poverty, which is a significant consideration.
- Commute:
- Only 0.1% of residents use public transit.
- Top Tip:
- Budget for a median home value of $207,900 if you're considering buying.
The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?
Bartow is characterized by a population of around 32,738, with 18.4% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a relatively low renter percentage at 31.5%, indicating a community that leans towards homeownership. However, the poverty rate is 18.3%, which could affect overall economic stability.
Probably not your spot if you are looking for high public transit options, as only 0.1% of residents commute via this method, suggesting a strong reliance on personal vehicles.
Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot
- Median gross rent is $1,017, making it accessible compared to many other areas.
- The median owner-occupied home value is $207,900, which is reasonable for the region.
- 18.4% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher, contributing to the community's character.
- The poverty rate stands at 18.3%, indicating some financial challenges within the community.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.
Schools & Higher Ed
There are 7 postsecondary institutions available in the nearby area, offering various educational opportunities.
- Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Lakeland
- Florida Southern College
- NUC University - Florida Technical College - Lakeland
- Polk State College
- Southeastern University
- Traviss Technical College
- UR Beauty & Barber Academy-At True Family Barber Academy
Source: ArcGIS Postsecondary School Locations, NCES, College Scorecard.
Weather & Getting Outside
While specific climate data is unavailable, there are several parks and outdoor spaces that residents can enjoy nearby.
- Bonnet Springs Park - 4.9 stars (2,687 reviews)
- Mary Holland Park - 4.5 stars (1,024 reviews)
- Holloway Park - 4.5 stars (599 reviews)
- Loyce E. Harpe Park - 4.5 stars (507 reviews)
- Rotary Park - 4.3 stars (432 reviews)
Source: Google Places API.
Jobs & the Local Economy
In Polk County, the unemployment rate is 5.5% as of December 2025, with a labor force of 361,713.
- Unemployment rate: 5.5% (December 2025)
- Employed: 341,767
- Labor force: 361,713
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.