Lake Wales

County:: Polk County
County Seat:: No
Area (mi²):: 18.977
State:: Florida

Lake Wales is a city located in Polk County, Florida. Lake Wales has a 2025 population of 16,941. Lake Wales is currently growing at a rate of 0.77% annually and its population has increased by 3.99% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 16,291 in 2020.

The average household income in Lake Wales is $66,158 with a poverty rate of 24.4%. The median age in Lake Wales is 41.1 years: 37.4 years for males, and 49.3 years for females.

Demographics

The racial composition of Lake Wales includes 55.34% White, 19.2% Black or African American, 10.12% other race, and smaller percentages for Asian, Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.

Population by Race

White

Black or African American

Two or more races

Other race

Asian

Native American

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Race	Population	Percentage (of total)
White	9,057	55.34%
Black or African American	3,142	19.2%
Two or more races	2,325	14.21%
Other race	1,656	10.12%
Asian	111	0.68%
Native American	68	0.42%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	6	0.04%

Lake Wales Marital Status

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

Never Married

Economics and Income Statistics

Lake Wales' average per capita income is $36,600. Household income levels show a median of $55,799. The poverty rate stands at 24.4%.

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	$75,887	-
Families	$67,164	$77,049
Households	$55,799	$66,158
Non Families	$25,838	$41,735

$36,600

Average Income

$55,799

Median Household Income

24.4%

Poverty Rate