Lakeland is a city in Lanier County, Georgia, United States. The city is the county seat of Lanier County. It is part of the Valdosta, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,366 at the 2010 census. Originally called Alapaha and then Milltown or Mill Town, Lakeland received its current name in 1925 in honor of its proximity to Grand Bay Lake, Lake Irma, and Banks Lake. For many years, Lakeland owned and operated its own railroad. The town has an array of festival all year long, including Market Day & ‘LA DAY. This is a celebration among the African Americans of the surrounding counties to come and enjoy vendors and music, though usually called off by nightfall by local law enforcement. The town also is one of the few cities in Georgia with murals of both slaves & plantation owners. History By the late 1830s, a community known as Alapaha had come into existence along the road from Waresboro, Georgia to Troupville, Georgia near the mill established by Joshua Lee on what is now Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge. In 1838, a post office was established and was officially named Alapaha after the nearby Alapaha River. In 1848, Joshua Lee sold his mill to William Lastinger. In the 1850s, additional mills were established in the area and the population of the community continued to grow. In 1857, Alapaha was renamed Milltown. During the American Civil, William Lastinger sold his mill to Henry Banks. Milltown was incorporated in 1901. In 1919, Milltown was designated seat of the newly formed Lanier County. In 1928, the city was incorporated and renamed to its present form of Lakeland. Geography Lakeland is located at (31.039214, -83.070397). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and (1.28%) is water. Demographics 2020 census As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,875 people, 997 households, and 631 families residing in the city. 2000 census As of the census of 2000, there were 2,730 people, 966 households, and 661 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 1,162 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 67.18% White, 29.27% African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.77% from other races, and 1.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were