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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Lake Wales

Florida · 10,194 residents · 18.977 sq mi
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The short version

Lake Wales has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $26,884. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value is $68,300. The poverty rate of 21.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 31% less than the Florida median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 36.9
US median: 35.2
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
10,194
+5%since 1990
from 9,670 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
537 / sq mi
+5%since 1990
from 510 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
36.9
+1%since 1990
from 36.4 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
9K11K13K15K17K1990201020202024Lake Wales
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$26,884
+4%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $19,532 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,106
+59%since 1990
from $10,127 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
21.4%
−1.1 ptssince 1990
from 22.5% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$68,300
−4%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $54,000 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$398
−6%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $323 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
53.4%
+1.6 ptssince 1990
from 51.8% in 1990
46.6% rent
Afford Score
2.5
−8%since 1990
from 2.8 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lake Wales on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic64.8%(6,268)
Black34.2%(3,310)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(220)
Asian0%(0)
Diversity Score60.7%(5,871)
2000
White, non-Hispanic53.8%(5,484)
Black34.3%(3,492)
Hispanic / Latino9.9%(1,014)
Asian0.5%(51)
Diversity Score71.3%(7,270)
Diversity Score
71
+17%since 1990
from 61 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.1%
+3.8 ptssince 1990
from 14.3% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
73.1%
+8.6 ptssince 1990
from 64.5% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
6.2%
+0.4 ptssince 1990
from 5.8% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.5 min
+7%since 1990
from 16.4 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Lake Wales

Pinewood
Pop 18,114
Elfers
Pop 15,006
Orange City
Pop 15,309
Naranja
Pop 15,796
Places similar to Lake Wales
Head to head

Compare Lake Wales to nearby cities

LAKE WALES VS
Cypress Gardens
Income$75,483+181%
Home value$287,100+320%
Population10,077−46%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE WALES VS
Winter Haven
Income$59,648+122%
Home value$269,800+295%
Population62,313+234%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE WALES VS
Haines City
Income$65,975+145%
Home value$288,900+323%
Population45,973+147%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE WALES VS
Bartow
Income$68,178+154%
Home value$234,100+243%
Population23,617+27%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lake Wales, Florida?

Lake Wales, Florida has about 10,194 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Lake Wales, Florida?

The typical household in Lake Wales, Florida earns about $26,884 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lake Wales, Florida expensive?

In Lake Wales, Florida, the median home is worth about $68,300, and the typical rent is about $398 a month.

How educated are people in Lake Wales, Florida?

About 18.1% of adults age 25 and over in Lake Wales, Florida hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lake Wales, Florida?

About 21.4% of people in Lake Wales, Florida live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lake Wales, Florida grown since 1990?

Yes, Lake Wales, Florida has grown since 1990. The population has added about 524 residents, a change of about 5 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →