Lake Butler, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake Butler, Florida had a total population of 1,601, the 716th largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $49,922, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 12.3% is notably above the national average.
Lake Butler Quick Facts
How Lake Butler Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,842 | 1,601 | -13.1% |
| Median household income | $43,134 | $49,922 | +15.7% |
| Median home value | $154,200 | $167,800 | +8.8% |
How Lake Butler Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lake Butler Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Union County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raiford | 382 | $63,281 | 10.0% | N/A |
| Worthington Springs | 279 | $48,750 | 37.3% | $183,300 |
Cities Similar to Lake Butler
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocala Estates | 1,705 | N/A | $152,900 | 5.5% | 26.4% |
| Hawthorne | 1,625 | $55,406 | $177,800 | 28.1% | 15.4% |
| Fort Denaud | 1,639 | $56,042 | $330,100 | 21.4% | 7.7% |
| Bronson | 1,600 | $61,923 | $169,900 | 11.3% | 8.5% |
| Callahan | 1,514 | $57,006 | $281,900 | 20.7% | 14.7% |
Population Overview
Lake Butler is a small community located in Florida, within Union County. The total population is 1,601. It ranks as the 716th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake Butler is 35.1 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 42.6 years. With 33.5% of the population under 18, Lake Butler has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lake Butler is $49,922. This is 33% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.7%. This is 97% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 12.3%. This is 154% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $167,800. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 42.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lake Butler is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.9%) is well below the state average of 27.4%.
Education
13.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 34.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake Butler, Florida is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Florida state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 955 Census-designated places in Florida. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Florida city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Lake Butler, Florida?
Lake Butler, Florida has a population of 1,601 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake Butler, FL?
The median household income in Lake Butler is $49,922, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake Butler, FL?
The poverty rate in Lake Butler is 24.7%. This means approximately 381 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake Butler, Florida?
Lake Butler's population is 68.2% White, 16.7% Black, 4.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake Butler, FL?
The median home value in Lake Butler is $167,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Lake Butler, Florida?
13.3% of adults (25+) in Lake Butler hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.