LAKELAND AREA GUIDE

Living in South Lakeland: homes, prices, HOA/CDD fees and what to check

South Lakeland is the part of the city and surrounding Polk County south of downtown, and it holds Lakeland's highest-value ZIP codes: 33812 ($373,323) and 33813 ($369,661) in Zillow's August 2026 data, both nearly flat on the year. It is mostly single-family, owner-occupied housing, with gated golf communities, older lake neighborhoods and 55+ options.

Researched September 25, 2026 · Bright Florida Homes
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At a glance

Main ZIPs33803, 33811, 33812 and 33813
Typical values (Zillow, Aug 2026)33812: $373,323; 33813: $369,661; 33811: $333,434; 33803: $287,345
Housing mix33813: about 86% single-family, 79% owner-occupied
Example communitiesEaglebrooke, Christina, Grasslands, Lakeland Highlands
55+ optionsColonnades, Heritage Landings at Lakes at Laurel Highlands
HOA / CDDVaries by community; check each parcel's tax bill

What counts as South Lakeland

"South Lakeland" is a local description, not an official boundary. In listings it usually means the area south of downtown and Lake Hollingsworth. By ZIP, the core is 33813 (south) and 33812 (southeast), with 33803 just south of downtown and 33811 to the southwest. A Lakeland address here may be in unincorporated Polk County rather than the city, so check each parcel.

The housing is mostly single-family and owner-occupied. In 33813, about 86% of housing units are single-family and 79% are owner-occupied; in 33812 the figures are about 83% and 79%. That is very different from central and west Lakeland, where attached and multifamily housing makes up a much larger share.

South Lakeland home values

Zillow's August 2026 typical values put South Lakeland at the top of the city:

AreaTypical value1-year change
ZIP 33812$373,323-0.2%
ZIP 33813$369,661-0.3%
ZIP 33811$333,434-2.1%
ZIP 33803$287,345-1.9%
Lakeland Highlands (neighborhood)$400,940-0.1%
Lakeland (city)$309,954-1.3%

The south and southeast ZIPs held their value better than any other part of Lakeland over the year. See the Lakeland ZIP code guide and the Lakeland housing market page for context.

Communities in South Lakeland

  • Eaglebrooke Golf & Country Club (33813). A gated community of more than 600 homes on over 400 acres, opened in 1996, with an 18-hole Ron Garl course and 14 sub-communities.
  • Christina (33813). Off County Road 540A, first built in the early 1970s, deed-restricted, with lake homes, executive homes and The Bluffs of Christina condos.
  • Grasslands (33803). A gated golf community of 18 neighborhoods with condos, villas and custom homes.
  • Lakeland Highlands. A broad area with a typical value of $400,940.
  • 55+ options. Colonnades, a gated community of 360 homes built from 1985 to 1994, and Heritage Landings at Lakes at Laurel Highlands, 65 homes built from 2017 to 2020 off Airport Road. See 55+ communities in Lakeland.

What to check before you buy in South Lakeland

  • City or county. Confirm the taxing authority on the Polk County Property Appraiser record.
  • Association layers. Golf communities may have a master association, a neighborhood association and separate club dues. Ask for each budget.
  • Deed restrictions. Older areas such as Christina are deed-restricted. Read the restrictions before planning a pool, fence or outbuilding.
  • CDD. Newer subdivisions may carry CDD assessments. Check the tax bill.
  • Schools. Use the Polk County Public Schools School Zone Search for the exact address.
  • Flood zone. Check the flood map and drainage, especially for lots on lakes or ponds.

Common questions

What ZIP codes are in South Lakeland?+

South Lakeland mainly covers ZIP codes 33813 and 33812, with 33803 just south of downtown and 33811 to the southwest. In August 2026, Zillow's typical home value was $373,323 in 33812 and $369,661 in 33813, the highest among Lakeland's main delivery ZIPs.

Is South Lakeland expensive?+

It is Lakeland's highest-priced area, but still below Tampa-area suburbs such as Valrico ($414,955) and Lutz ($488,064). Zillow's typical values in August 2026 were about $370,000 in 33812 and 33813 and $400,940 in the Lakeland Highlands neighborhood, against $309,954 for Lakeland overall. Gated golf and lakefront homes can sit above those figures.

What gated communities are in South Lakeland?+

Examples include Eaglebrooke Golf & Country Club in 33813, a gated community of more than 600 homes around a Ron Garl course, and Grasslands in 33803, a gated golf community of 18 neighborhoods. Colonnades is a gated 55+ community in south Lakeland.

Are there 55+ communities in South Lakeland?+

Yes. A local brokerage guide from April 2026 lists Colonnades, a gated community of 360 homes built from 1985 to 1994 with a 15,000-square-foot clubhouse, and Heritage Landings at Lakes at Laurel Highlands, 65 homes built from 2017 to 2020 off Airport Road with fees reported at about $244 a month.

Sources

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