Winter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,487 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 27,855. Winter Haven is best known as the home of Cypress Gardens, a theme park which has recently gone through renovations to add thrill rides. Country musician Gram Parsons was from a wealthy family in Winter Haven. Winter Haven was also home to the first Publix supermarket circa 1930. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 65.8 km² (25.4 mi²). 45.8 km² (17.7 mi²) of it is land and 20.0 km² (7.7 mi²) of it (30.45%) is water.

As of the census of 2000, there were 26,487 people, 11,833 households, and 6,934 families residing in the city. The population density was 578.4/km² (1,498.3/mi²). There were 13,912 housing units at an average density of 303.8/km² (787.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.51% White, 23.16% African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.02% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.87% from other races, and 2.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.94% of the population.