Lakeland, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lakeland, Georgia had a total population of 2,968, the 244th largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $31,147, which is 60% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 44.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 60% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (44.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.8%.
Lakeland Quick Facts
How Lakeland 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 | 2,943 | 2,968 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $29,520 | $31,147 | +5.5% |
| Median home value | $145,900 | $148,600 | +1.9% |
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
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 Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Lanier County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton | 185 | $92,969 | 0.0% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soperton | 2,908 | $33,146 | $69,900 | 7.1% | 24.9% |
| Unadilla | 3,064 | $36,875 | $60,600 | 7.7% | 20.9% |
| Millen | 2,956 | $42,269 | $86,300 | 8.3% | 29.9% |
| Experiment | 3,387 | $33,333 | $137,500 | 5.8% | 33.7% |
| Cuthbert | 2,991 | $22,447 | $126,100 | 17.8% | 37.3% |
Population Overview
Lakeland is a small community located in Georgia, within Lanier County. The total population is 2,968. It ranks as the 244th most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lakeland is 37.1 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lakeland is $31,147. This is 60% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 61% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 44.1%. This is 230% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.4%. 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 0.8%. This is 84% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $148,600. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $303,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 47.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lakeland is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 48.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (48.4% vs 30.7%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.
Education
12.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 34.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lakeland, Georgia 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 Georgia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 669 Census-designated places in Georgia. 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, Georgia?
Lakeland, Georgia has a population of 2,968 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lakeland, GA?
The median household income in Lakeland is $31,147, which is 61% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lakeland, GA?
The poverty rate in Lakeland is 44.1%. This means approximately 1,213 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lakeland, Georgia?
Lakeland's population is 49.1% White, 48.4% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lakeland, GA?
The median home value in Lakeland is $148,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Lakeland, Georgia?
12.3% of adults (25+) in Lakeland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.