Lake Wales Flag

Lake Wales

County:
Polk County
County Seat:
No
Area (mi²):
20.299
State:
Florida

Lake Wales is a city located in Polk County, Florida. Lake Wales has a 2026 population of 18,552. Lake Wales is currently growing at a rate of 2.07% annually and its population has increased by 13.89% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 16,290 in 2020.

The median household income in Lake Wales is $56,347 with a poverty rate of 22.44%. The median age in Lake Wales is 42.7 years: 38.2 years for males, and 49 years for females. For every 100 females there are 87.8 males.

18.6K
Total Population
914
Density (mi²)
377 2.07%
Growth

Lake Wales Population

Lake Wales Population

Data after 2023 is projected based on recent change

Year ↓
Population
Growth
Annual Change
202618,5523772.07%
202518,1753772.12%
202417,7989905.89%
202316,8082361.42%
202216,5721530.93%
202116,4193472.16%
202016,290-476-2.84%
201916,7662661.61%
201816,5005163.23%
201715,9843502.24%
201615,6343202.09%
201515,3143482.33%
201414,9662461.67%
201314,7201350.93%
201214,5852761.93%
201114,3091400.99%
201014,169-56-0.39%
200010,1945245.42%
19909,6701,20414.22%
19808,4662262.74%
19708,240-106-1.27%
19608,3461,52522.36%
19506,8211,79735.77%
19405,0241,62347.72%
19303,40100%

Median Age

Overall: 42.7 years
Female: 49 years
Male: 38.2 years

Lake Wales Adults

There are 13,567 adults, (4,488 of whom are seniors) in Lake Wales.

Sex Ratio

Female: 8,937 (53.2%)
Male: 7,848 (46.8%)

Demographics

The racial composition of Lake Wales includes 49.98% White, 21.77% Black or African American, 11.22% other race, and smaller percentages for Asian, Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.

Population by Race

Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
White8,38949.98%
Black or African American3,65421.77%
Two or more races2,61315.57%
Other race1,88311.22%
Asian1861.11%
Native American340.2%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander260.15%
Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
Two or more races2,31413.79%
Other race1,88311.22%
White9535.68%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander260.15%
Black or African American20.01%
Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
White7,43644.3%
Black or African American3,65221.76%
Two or more races2991.78%
Asian1861.11%
Native American340.2%

Lake Wales Marital Status

Economics and Income Statistics

Lake Wales ' average per capita income is $39,976. Household income levels show a median of $56,347. The poverty rate stands at 22.44%.

Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.
Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.
Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.
Name
Median ↓
Mean
Married Families$76,667-
Families$65,430$77,528
Households$56,347$66,110
Non Families$24,849$42,348

$39,976

Average Income

$56,347

Median Household Income

22.44%

Poverty Rate

Nearby Cities

Sources

  1. US Census State Population Estimates - Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  2. US Census County Population Estimates - Most recent county estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  3. American Community Survey (2009 - 2013)
  4. Census QuickFacts
  5. Historical Populations of States and Counties (1790 - 1990)