Lake City, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake City, Florida had a total population of 12,515, the 305th largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $56,472, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.5%.
Lake City Quick Facts
How Lake City Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,063 | 12,515 | +3.7% |
| Median household income | $46,767 | $56,472 | +20.8% |
| Median home value¹ | $131,440 | $184,900 | +40.7% |
| Median gross rent | $1,053 | $1,040 | No clear change (-1.3%) |
How Lake City Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 56.3%
- Black: 32.5%
- Hispanic: 4.7%
- Asian: 1.3%
- Other: 2.0%
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 11.0%
- HS Diploma: 32.3%
- Some College: 23.8%
- Associate's: 9.2%
- Bachelor's: 16.5%
- Graduate+: 7.2%
Lake City Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Columbia County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | 3,068 | $41,466 | 42.4% | $114,100 |
| Five Points | 1,097 | $63,207 | 11.1% | N/A |
| Fort White | 531 | $53,750 | 23.1% | $220,800 |
Cities Similar to Lake City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westview | 12,107 | $57,563 | $379,400 | 15.1% | 20.9% |
| Holly Hill | 13,084 | $55,412 | $205,100 | 20.1% | 21.5% |
| South Daytona | 13,543 | $56,579 | $222,200 | 24.8% | 16.9% |
| Cypress Lake | 13,032 | $62,590 | $258,900 | 34.6% | 9.8% |
| Mango | 13,242 | $52,524 | $256,600 | 15.5% | 14.6% |
Population Overview
Lake City is a small city located in Florida, within Columbia County. The total population is 12,515. It ranks as the 305th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake City is 36.9 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 42.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lake City is $56,472. This is 24% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.8%. This is 58% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $184,900. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 39.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 41% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lake City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 32.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (32.5% vs 14.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (4.7%) is well below the state average of 27.4%. The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
23.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 89.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake City, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Lake City, Florida?
Lake City, Florida has a population of 12,515 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake City, FL?
The median household income in Lake City is $56,472, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake City, FL?
The poverty rate in Lake City is 19.8%. This means approximately 2,320 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake City, Florida?
Lake City's population is 56.3% White, 32.5% Black, 4.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake City, FL?
The median home value in Lake City is $184,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Lake City, Florida?
23.7% of adults (25+) in Lake City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.