the population was 72.2% non-Hispanic white, 7.2% black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.6% Asian Indian, 0.6% Asians with ancestral origin elsewhere in Asia, 0.4% non-Hispanic reporting some other race, 3.0% two or more races and 16.1% Hispanic or Latino. History Eagle Lake began c. 1880 as a settlement when John Bingham purchased 160 acres on a knoll between the areas now known as Eagle Lake, Crystal Lake, and Spirit Lake. He named the lake on which his original cabin was constructed Eagle Lake because of a nesting in a nearby pine tree. About the same time (1882), Louisa McLeod purchased 115 acres in the area to the east. As the land was sold, the city began to take shape and was laid out around 1887. Earlier on, Eagle Lake was known for its local businesses. These included a brickyard, a turpentine mill, and two citrus packing houses that were both lost in the 1940s. During the mid 1950s and into the 1960s, the city was host to a wooden bathing house with dressing rooms, long wooden covered dock, dance hall, picnic facilities, and a diving platform at the Crystal Beach Pavilion on the SW side of Eagle Lake. During the 1980s, the city adopted the motto "Growing with people in mind". It continues to be the tenet of the city today. Government and politics The City of Eagle Lake has a commission-manager form of government. The city commission consists of five commissioners, each elected for a two-year term. The mayor and vice-mayor are sitting commissioners whom are elected annually by the commissioners. The city's executive powers rest with the city manager, as contracted by the city commission. The budget for the 2014 fiscal year is $2.1 million. Water and sewer services are provided by the City of Eagle Lake to residents within the incorporated city limits and nearby areas. Eagle Lake is encompassed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District which regulates and permits the use of water in the region. The city of Eagle Lake also operates the Eagle Lake Public library, which is part of the Polk County Library Cooperative. Law enforcement After signing a contract with the Polk County Sheriff's office in 2007, the City of Eagle Lake began contracting law enforcement services from the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Fire services Fire services for the city are contracted with the Polk County Board of County