Lake County, Florida Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Lake County is located in Florida with a total population of 398,696. It is the 17th most populous county out of 67 in Florida.

Age Demographics

The median age in Lake County is 46.7 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. 12.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Lake County is $69,956. This is 2% lower than the state median of $71,711. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 11% lower. The poverty rate stands at 9.5%. This is 25% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $287,900. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $325,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 76.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 67.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Lake County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.9%.

Education

26.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 33.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.9%.