Medulla is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in western Polk County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area. Medulla is an affluent residential community located south of the Lakeland city limits, and north of the Mulberry city limits. Medulla neighbors Lakeland Highlands, and together the two communities make up much of what is known as south (unincorporated) Lakeland. As of the 2020 census, Medulla had a population of 10,871. The area is addressed to Lakeland, with zip codes 33811 and 33813.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , of which is land and (0.35%) is water.
History
A post office was established at Medulla in 1881, and remained in operation until 1909. Before the post office opened, the community was called Spring Hill. The name Medulla was given to the area due to its connecting link on the stagecoach rail-line between Bartow and Fort Meade, similar to how the medulla oblongata (in the lower part of the brain) connects with spinal cord. Medulla saw a period of rapid growth throughout the 1990s and early 2000s with development of Deer Brooke, a mega deed restricted community. Development of many other smaller subdivisions soon followed.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Medulla had a population of 10,871. The median age was 36.8 years. 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 89.3 males age 18 and over.
100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 4,134 households in Medulla, of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.6% were married-couple households, 15.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.