Lake Placid, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake Placid, Florida had a total population of 2,477, the 641st largest town in Florida, with a median household income of $47,018, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.1% is notably above the national average.
Lake Placid Quick Facts
How Lake Placid 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 | 2,438 | 2,477 | +1.6% |
| Median household income | $45,476 | $47,018 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $253,200 | $261,300 | +3.2% |
How Lake Placid 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lake Placid Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Highlands County
Cities Similar to Lake Placid
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harlem | 2,420 | $46,038 | $56,200 | 1.6% | 6.7% |
| Carrabelle | 2,438 | $49,792 | $217,900 | 7.2% | 21.6% |
| Tavernier | 2,413 | $50,256 | $613,700 | 31.2% | 17.6% |
| Graceville | 2,483 | $41,641 | $120,600 | 21.8% | 21.8% |
| Apalachicola | 2,431 | $51,875 | $288,000 | 34.4% | 15.7% |
Population Overview
Lake Placid is a small community located in Florida, within Highlands County. The total population is 2,477. It ranks as the 641st most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake Placid is 39.5 years. This is 7% lower 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 Placid is $47,018. This is 37% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.8%. This is 89% 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 8.1%. This is 68% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $261,300. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x. 57.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lake Placid is Hispanic or Latino, making up 49.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 38.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (49.2% vs 27.4%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
21.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% 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 76.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake Placid, 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 Placid, Florida?
Lake Placid, Florida has a population of 2,477 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake Placid, FL?
The median household income in Lake Placid is $47,018, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake Placid, FL?
The poverty rate in Lake Placid is 23.8%. This means approximately 590 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake Placid, Florida?
Lake Placid's population is 38.6% White, 9.8% Black, 49.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake Placid, FL?
The median home value in Lake Placid is $261,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x.
How educated is Lake Placid, Florida?
21.5% of adults (25+) in Lake Placid hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.