Lakeland, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lakeland, Florida had a total population of 119,961, the 20th largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $64,185, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.2%.
Lakeland Quick Facts
How Lakeland 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 | 107,922 | 119,961 | +11.2% |
| Median household income | $58,472 | $64,185 | +9.8% |
| Median home value¹ | $183,991 | $249,400 | +35.6% |
| Median gross rent | $1,229 | $1,395 | +13.5% |
How Lakeland 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: 54.9%
- Black: 17.9%
- Hispanic: 20.5%
- Asian: 2.5%
- Other: 0.9%
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: 8.5%
- HS Diploma: 31.5%
- Some College: 20.7%
- Associate's: 9.9%
- Bachelor's: 18.4%
- Graduate+: 11.0%
Lakeland Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Lakeland Highlands | 12,102 | $108,263 | 2.7% | $385,000 |
| Medulla | 10,985 | $70,802 | 8.8% | $319,800 |
Cities Similar to Lakeland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Hill | 119,983 | $68,432 | $288,500 | 19.9% | 11.8% |
| Clearwater | 117,247 | $66,381 | $361,300 | 32.6% | 14.8% |
| Miami Gardens | 113,177 | $63,627 | $378,500 | 18.1% | 13.6% |
| Pompano Beach | 114,147 | $67,195 | $349,300 | 30.8% | 15.2% |
| West Palm Beach | 122,290 | $73,446 | $414,200 | 39.2% | 14.1% |
Population Overview
Lakeland is a major urban center located in Florida, within Polk County. The total population is 119,961. It ranks as the 20th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lakeland is 38.9 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 42.6 years. 10.8% 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 Lakeland is $64,185. This is 14% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.2%. This is 5% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 6% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $249,400. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 56.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lakeland is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.5%.
Education
29.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% 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 91.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lakeland, 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, Florida?
Lakeland, Florida has a population of 119,961 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lakeland, FL?
The median household income in Lakeland is $64,185, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lakeland, FL?
The poverty rate in Lakeland is 13.2%. This means approximately 14,763 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lakeland, Florida?
Lakeland's population is 54.9% White, 17.9% Black, 20.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lakeland, FL?
The median home value in Lakeland is $249,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Lakeland, Florida?
29.4% of adults (25+) in Lakeland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.