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CITY · 2010 ACS

Lake Wales

Florida · 14,225 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 $36,354. Population has grown 40% since 2000. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $146,800. The poverty rate of 24.1% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 42.1
US median: 37.2
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 70%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
14,225
+40%since 2000
from 10,194 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
750 / sq mi
+40%since 2000
from 537 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
42.1
+14%since 2000
from 36.9 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
9K11K13K15K17K1990201020202024Lake Wales
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$36,354
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,884 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,603
+16%since 2000
from $16,106 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
12.6%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
24.1%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 21.4% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.430
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information12%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services10.4%
US avg: 7%
Wholesale trade8.6%
US avg: 7.2%
Retail trade8.5%
US avg: 10.9%
Public administration6.6%
US avg: 4.9%
Finance & insurance5.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.5%
US avg: 4.2%
Construction3.3%
US avg: 1.4%
Transportation & warehousing2.7%
US avg: 3.1%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2.4%
Manufacturing0.5%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$146,800
+70%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $68,300 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$661
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $398 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
34.3%
−19.1 ptssince 2000
from 53.4% in 2000
41.6% rent
Vacancy rate
20.9%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 19.6% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
33.1%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 30.5% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
54.9%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
4.0
+59%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lake Wales on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic53.8%(5,484)
Black34.3%(3,492)
Hispanic / Latino9.9%(1,014)
Asian0.5%(51)
Other0%
Diversity Score71.3%(7,270)
2010
White, non-Hispanic55%(7,820)
Black26.6%(3,784)
Hispanic / Latino15.6%(2,222)
Asian0.8%(117)
Other1%(136)
Diversity Score74.3%(10,566)
Diversity Score
74
+4%since 2000
from 71 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.6%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 18.1% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
80.4%
+7.3 ptssince 2000
from 73.1% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
6.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.5 min
+17%since 2000
from 17.5 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
81.8%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 80.5% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
8.9%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
7.7%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.1% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
14.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
28.7%
−33.2 ptssince 2009
from 61.8% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
43.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 43.3% in 2009
Female
56.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 56.8% in 2009
Foreign born
9.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
12.4%
−31.0 ptssince 2009
from 43.4% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Lake Wales to nearby cities

LAKE WALES VS
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Income$75,483+108%
Home value$287,100+96%
Population10,077−46%
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LAKE WALES VS
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Income$59,648+64%
Home value$269,800+84%
Population62,313+234%
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LAKE WALES VS
Haines City
Income$65,975+81%
Home value$288,900+97%
Population45,973+147%
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LAKE WALES VS
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Income$68,178+88%
Home value$234,100+59%
Population23,617+27%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lake Wales, Florida?

Lake Wales, Florida has about 14,225 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Lake Wales, Florida earns about $36,354 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 $146,800, and the typical rent is about $661 a month.

How educated are people in Lake Wales, Florida?

About 17.6% 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 24.1% 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 4,555 residents, a change of about 47 percent over that period.

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

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