The small town of Davenport is a quickly growing community with a small-town feel. Tree-lined streets fill this fast-growing superb whose estimated population in 2004 was around 1,995. Davenport is located just 10 miles from the magic of Walt Disney World along Interstate 4. The heart of downtown Orlando is 30 miles east of Davenport, and the businesses of bustling Tampa are about one hour heading west on Interstate 4.
Davenport is sited within minutes of some of the best Central Florida attractions including Universal Studios, Sea World, shopping, and restaurants. Polk County also offers theme parks including Fantasy of Flight in Polk City and Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, which now has roller coasters and a water park.
Davenport is famous in Polk County for its annual Labor Day celebration, the Chamber has a parade, an 8-K run, a children's run, an ugly dog show, a pie-eating contest, booths for crafts, and a barbeque at the Charles Nafziger Community Center.
Davenport was developed in the 1920s by Holly Hill Citrus. The citrus processing company subdivided former groves into a landscaped community with a Mediterranean theme. It is unclear how the city of Davenport was given its name, but one theory is that the community was named after Colonel William Davenport, while another says it was named for a railroad conductor.
Located in northeastern Polk County, Davenport is part of a rich Central Florida history. Polk County was named in honor of the 11th United States President, James Polk. Polk County became Florida's 39th county in 1861 and has an economy that is historically based around citrus, cattle, and phosphate mining. Modern day, Polk County is the sixth most productive agricultural county in Florida. These strong ties to the community and to the land have helped Davenport maintain its small-town feel amidst the ever changing Florida landscape.
New home construction is starting to grow at a rapid rate in friendly Davenport. Florida-style homes are very popular. In June 2008, the average sales price of a single family home or condo in Davenport, FL was $219,844. While this data is collected from the MLS and deemed reliable, it is not guaranteed.
Part of the Polk County Public School System, Davenport is home to Davenport School of the Arts for grades pre-kindergarten through eight, Four Corner Charter Elementary for grades pre-kindergarten through five, Loughman Oaks Elementary for grades pre-kindergarten through five, Four Corners Charter Middle School for grades six through eight, and Ridge Community Senior High School for grades nine through twelve.
