Lakeland Highlands, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lakeland Highlands, Florida had a total population of 12,102, the 311th largest community in Florida, with a median household income of $108,263, which is 45% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Florida.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.7% — among the lowest in Florida.
Lakeland Highlands Quick Facts
How Lakeland Highlands 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 | 11,669 | 12,102 | +3.7% |
| Median household income | $106,012 | $108,263 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $352,000 | $385,000 | +9.4% |
How Lakeland Highlands 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+)
Lakeland Highlands 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 |
| Lake Wales | 16,785 | $56,347 | 22.4% | $239,300 |
| Highland City | 13,276 | $90,947 | 5.9% | $347,100 |
| Davenport | 13,238 | $73,685 | 14.1% | $333,300 |
| Medulla | 10,985 | $70,802 | 8.8% | $319,800 |
Cities Similar to Lakeland Highlands
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia Heights | 12,399 | $108,958 | $557,500 | 35.4% | 12.2% |
| South Miami | 12,277 | $94,507 | $829,400 | 56.3% | 10.0% |
| Gateway | 11,176 | $107,484 | $453,900 | 47.5% | 3.6% |
| Doctor Phillips | 12,984 | $103,950 | $529,900 | 54.8% | 12.0% |
| Sarasota Springs | 12,611 | $95,688 | $349,100 | 29.4% | 12.7% |
Population Overview
Lakeland Highlands is a small city located in Florida, within Polk County. The total population is 12,102. It ranks as the 311th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lakeland Highlands is 45.3 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 42.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lakeland Highlands is $108,263. This is 45% higher than the state median of $74,568. It is also 34% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.7%. This is 79% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $385,000. Housing costs are 7% higher than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 84.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lakeland Highlands is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (76.1% vs 50.4%). The Black or African American population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 14.6%.
Education
44.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% higher 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 96.2%. Notably, 18.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lakeland Highlands, 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 Lakeland Highlands, Florida?
Lakeland Highlands, Florida has a population of 12,102 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lakeland Highlands, FL?
The median household income in Lakeland Highlands is $108,263, which is 34% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lakeland Highlands, FL?
The poverty rate in Lakeland Highlands is 2.7%. This means approximately 320 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lakeland Highlands, Florida?
Lakeland Highlands's population is 76.1% White, 2.7% Black, 15.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lakeland Highlands, FL?
The median home value in Lakeland Highlands is $385,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Lakeland Highlands, Florida?
44.6% of adults (25+) in Lakeland Highlands hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.