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CITY · 2020 ACS

Lake Wales

Florida · 16,361 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 $48,145. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 60% since 2000. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $180,700.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 76%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,361
+60%since 2000
from 10,194 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
862 / sq mi
+60%since 2000
from 537 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.0
+17%since 2000
from 36.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
9K11K13K15K17K1990201020202024Lake Wales
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,145
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,884 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,086
+50%since 2000
from $16,106 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
28.1%
+13.8 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
15.5%
−5.9 ptssince 2000
from 21.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information14.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade8.3%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance8.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical7.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade7.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction2.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration1.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.2%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$180,700
+76%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $68,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$883
+48%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $398 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
58.5%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 53.4% in 2000
41.5% rent
Afford Score
3.8
+48%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic47.4%(7,750)
Black23.9%(3,918)
Hispanic / Latino23.9%(3,916)
Asian1%(167)
Other2.2%(361)
Diversity Score81.2%(13,289)
Diversity Score
81
+14%since 2000
from 71 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 18.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
84.1%
+11.0 ptssince 2000
from 73.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.4 min
+39%since 2000
from 17.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.4%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 80.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
10.0%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 6.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.2%
−9.6 ptssince 2011
from 14.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
52.2%
+3.1 ptssince 2011
from 49.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
27.7%
−34.1 ptssince 2009
from 61.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.8%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 43.3% in 2009
Female
54.2%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 56.8% in 2009
Foreign born
8.2%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.5%
−72.5 ptssince 2013
from 83.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+57%
Home value$287,100+59%
Population10,077−46%
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LAKE WALES VS
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Income$59,648+24%
Home value$269,800+49%
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LAKE WALES VS
Haines City
Income$65,975+37%
Home value$288,900+60%
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LAKE WALES VS
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Income$68,178+42%
Home value$234,100+30%
Population23,617+27%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lake Wales, Florida?

Lake Wales, Florida has about 16,361 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Lake Wales, Florida earns about $48,145 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 $180,700, and the typical rent is about $883 a month.

How educated are people in Lake Wales, Florida?

About 18.4% 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 15.5% 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 6,691 residents, a change of about 69 percent over that period.

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

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