Bartow

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Bartow, FL Area Guide

Avg Rent

$1,076

Population

21,734

Renter Mix

35% Rent

Peaceful living between two of Florida’s major cities

Historic Convenient Affordable Quaint Quiet

Nicknamed the “City of Oaks and Azaleas,” Bartow is a scenic small city located between Tampa and Orlando in Polk County. Bartow is actually the seat of the county, containing a slew of local government offices along its historic Main Street, in addition to eclectic restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and antique shops.

Bartow is home to a close-knit community, coming together for an array of fun events such as the annual Bloomin' Arts Festival, monthly Friday Fests, weekly Farmers’ Markets, Classic Car Cruise Ins, and much more. Bartow is convenient to a variety of recreational destinations, including Mary Holland Park, Mosaic Peace River Park, Circle B Bar Reserve, and numerous area lakes. Getting around from Bartow is easy with access to U.S. 17 and U.S. 98.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$56,852

Average: $76,419

Education

4,143

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

10,319

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

37 Years

Largest Age Group

30-39 Years

Approximately 14% of Residents

Under 20

26%

Over 65

17%

Housing Distribution

Bartow has more homeowners than renters.

Renters
35%
Non-Renters
65%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
15%
Other Education
85%

Rent Trends

As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Bartow, FL is $541 for a studio, $1,076 for one bedroom, $1,579 for two bedrooms, and $2,146 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Bartow has increased by 0.3% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,076/month
730 Sq Ft
House
$2,165/month
1,785 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Bartow, FL

Getting Around

Somewhat Walkable

Walkability

30 / 100

Minimal Public Transit

Transit

10 / 100

Exceptionally Drivable

Drivability

100 / 100

Moderately Bikeable

Bikeability

60 / 100

Schools

Bartow Elementary Academy

Public

Grades K-5

518 Students

Spessard L Holland Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

766 Students

Floral Avenue Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

611 Students

James E. Stephens Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

356 Students

Compass Middle Charter School

Public

Grades K-8

153 Students

Union Academy

Public

Grades 6-8

396 Students

Bartow Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

1,046 Students

Compass Middle Charter School

Public

Grades K-8

153 Students

Hospital Homebound

Public

Grades PK-12

118 Students

Jean O'dell Learning Center

Public

Grades PK-12

73 Students

Bartow Senior High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,125 Students

Hospital Homebound

Public

Grades PK-12

118 Students

Jean O'dell Learning Center

Public

Grades PK-12

73 Students

Bartow Youth Academy

Public

Grades 6-12

22 Students

Points of Interest

Top Apartments in Bartow

Houses for Rent in Bartow

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.