Medulla, Florida is a residential, unincorporated census-designated place (CDP) nestled in western Polk County within the Lakeland–Winter Haven metro area. Covering about 5.6 square miles with a population of approximately 10,871 as of 2020, Medulla offers a serene suburban atmosphere just south of Lakeland and north of Mulberry.
Founded in the late 19th century, Medulla—once called Spring Hill—emerged in 1881 with the establishment of a post office. Its current name symbolizes its role as a central stagecoach link between Bartow and Fort Meade, likened to the connecting function of the medulla oblongata in the brain. The area experienced rapid residential growth in the 1990s and early 2000s through large-scale developments like Deer Brooke and several smaller subdivisions.
Medulla blends peaceful, family-oriented neighborhoods with rural charm, while benefitting from proximity to Lakeland's amenities. The community remains rooted in its small-town character and historical legacy, serving as a quiet yet connected enclave in Polk County.
