Lake Wales, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake Wales, Florida had a total population of 16,785, the 241st largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $56,347, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.4%.
Lake Wales Quick Facts
How Lake Wales 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 | 16,035 | 16,785 | +4.7% |
| Median household income | $54,380 | $56,347 | No clear change (+3.6%) |
| Median home value¹ | $206,020 | $239,300 | +16.2% |
| Median gross rent | $1,010 | $1,110 | No clear change (+9.9%) |
How Lake Wales 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: 44.3%
- Black: 21.8%
- Hispanic: 30.9%
- Asian: 1.1%
- Other: 0.0%
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: 12.5%
- HS Diploma: 32.0%
- Some College: 24.0%
- Associate's: 10.6%
- Bachelor's: 14.2%
- Graduate+: 6.6%
Lake Wales Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeland | 119,961 | $64,185 | 13.2% | $249,400 |
| Poinciana | 75,068 | $68,015 | 14.9% | $290,700 |
| Winter Haven | 55,200 | $59,648 | 16.4% | $269,800 |
| Haines City | 34,234 | $65,975 | 16.1% | $288,900 |
| Bartow | 20,438 | $68,178 | 18.1% | $234,100 |
| Auburndale | 18,530 | $77,911 | 9.6% | $296,200 |
| Highland City | 13,276 | $90,947 | 5.9% | $347,100 |
| Davenport | 13,238 | $73,685 | 14.1% | $333,300 |
| Lakeland Highlands | 12,102 | $108,263 | 2.7% | $385,000 |
| Medulla | 10,985 | $70,802 | 8.8% | $319,800 |
Cities Similar to Lake Wales
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naranja | 15,796 | $53,984 | $372,100 | 20.3% | 30.3% |
| On Top of the World | 16,007 | $60,670 | $303,900 | 38.8% | 7.0% |
| Belle Glade | 16,972 | $48,001 | $163,100 | 15.9% | 27.3% |
| Gladeview | 16,655 | $47,469 | $402,600 | 14.1% | 27.5% |
| Azalea Park | 16,180 | $63,490 | $283,500 | 25.8% | 14.0% |
Population Overview
Lake Wales is a small city located in Florida, within Polk County. The total population is 16,785. It ranks as the 241st most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake Wales is 42.7 years. This is about the same as the state median of 42.6 years. 12.4% 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 Wales is $56,347. 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 22.4%. This is 79% 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 5.9%. This is 23% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $239,300. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 59.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lake Wales is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 30.9%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
20.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 87.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake Wales, 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 Wales, Florida?
Lake Wales, Florida has a population of 16,785 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake Wales, FL?
The median household income in Lake Wales is $56,347, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake Wales, FL?
The poverty rate in Lake Wales is 22.4%. This means approximately 3,678 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake Wales, Florida?
Lake Wales's population is 44.3% White, 21.8% Black, 30.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake Wales, FL?
The median home value in Lake Wales is $239,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Lake Wales, Florida?
20.8% of adults (25+) in Lake Wales hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.