Lake Wales, Florida Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Lake Wales, Florida is 16,365 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 242nd-largest city in Florida. The median household income is $55,799, the median home value is $225,900, and the median age is 41.1.
The population has grown 25.6% since 2010 (14,168 → 17,798).
16,365
Population
806
People / sq mi
$55,799
Median Income
$225,900
Median Home Value
Lake Wales covers 20.3 sq mi of land at 806 people per square mile.
About Lake Wales, FL
Lake Wales is a city in Florida with a population of 16,365. It ranks #242 among cities in Florida by population. The median age is 41.1, older than the national median. The population is 47.6% male and 52.4% female.
The median household income in Lake Wales is $55,799, below the US median of $74,580. 19.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $225,900, with monthly rent averaging $1,060. The homeownership rate of 61.0% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Lake Wales reflects 22.0% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 6.5% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 26.4 minutes each way.
Lake Wales city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Lake Wales city had a population of 14,168 in 2010 and 17,798 in 2024, a 25.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 17,798 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.66%.
17,798
Population (2024)
14,168
Population (2010)
17,798
Peak (2024)
1.66%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 14,168 |
| 2011 | 14,308 |
| 2012 | 14,582 |
| 2013 | 14,715 |
| 2014 | 14,959 |
| 2015 | 15,305 |
| 2016 | 15,623 |
| 2017 | 15,971 |
| 2018 | 16,486 |
| 2019 | 16,759 |
| 2020 | 16,290 |
| 2021 | 16,419 |
| 2022 | 16,572 |
| 2023 | 16,808 |
| 2024 | 17,798 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 55.3% |
| Black or African American | 19.2% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.9% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$55,799
Median Household Income
$27,794
Per Capita Income
19.6%
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$225,900
Median Home Value
$1,060
Median Rent
61.0%
Owner-Occupied
Education
87.5%
High School+
22.0%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.1%
Drive Alone
79.3%
Public Transit
6.5%
Work From Home
26.4 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
43.4%
Foreign Born
75.4%
Non-English at Home
9.5%
Veterans
17.8%
With Disability
91.3%
Health Insurance
91.3%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 24.0% |
| Retail Trade | 12.6% |
| Construction | 9.2% |
| Manufacturing | 8.9% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 8.0% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 6.4% |
| Information | 5.6% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 5.4% |
| Public Administration | 5.0% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 1.5% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.2% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Lake Wales, Florida has a population of 16,365 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 242nd-largest city in Florida.
The median household income in Lake Wales, Florida is $55,799, with 19.6% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Lake Wales, Florida is $225,900, with median monthly rent at $1,060 and a homeownership rate of 61.0%.
The median age in Lake Wales, Florida is 41.1 years. The population is 47.6% male and 52.4% female.
The population has grown 25.6% since 2010 (14,168 → 17,798).
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.