Median Age
42 Years
Largest Age Group
10-19 Years
Approximately 13% of Residents
Under 20
24%
Over 65
26%
Lake Wales, FL Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,198
Population
18,742
Renter Mix
40% Rent
Timeless charm and natural beauty in the heart of Central Florida
Rural
•
Lake
•
Nature
Lake Wales is a small city in the heart of Polk County, perched on one of the highest ridges in Florida, where rolling hills replace the flat terrain most people picture when they think of the Sunshine State. The city carries a calm, unhurried character that stands apart from the busier corridors of Tampa and Orlando, both roughly 60 miles away, making it practical for residents who commute or simply want access to larger metro areas without living in one.
The local economy draws on healthcare, retail, agriculture, and light manufacturing, offering a steady mix of employment anchors. Warner University, a private liberal arts institution, adds an educational presence and a stream of campus activity to the community. Bok Tower Gardens, a National Historic Landmark on the city's eastern ridge, gives Lake Wales a cultural identity few small cities can claim.
The housing stock reflects the city's scale and history, ranging from older single-family neighborhoods near the historic downtown district to newer apartment communities on the outskirts. Renters can choose from garden-style apartment communities with open layouts to smaller complexes that offer a quieter, more residential feel. Lake Wales suits those who prefer a slower pace, a genuine sense of place, and easy reach to Florida's larger employment centers.
Explore the City
Mountain Lake Golf and country Club is a private course where residents can play on a premier course designed by famous architect Seth Raynor
The historic Rhodesbilt Arcade building features an array of shops & dining options for guests.
Enjoy the sunshine and walk around the lake at Lake Wales Park.
The downtown district remains a hub of activity, featuring local businesses and restaurants.
Beautiful, lakefront properties can be seen in Lake Wales.
Clean, paved pathways along a beautiful lake at Lake Wales Park.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$48,056
Average: $61,320
Education
3,673
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
7,287
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Lake Wales has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
40%
Non-Renters
60%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
15%
Other Education
85%
Rent Trends
As of July 2026, the average apartment rent in Lake Wales, FL is $1,049 for a studio, $1,198 for one bedroom, $1,482 for two bedrooms, and $1,767 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Lake Wales has decreased by -14.4% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,198/month
742 Sq Ft
House
$1,741/month
1,376 Sq Ft
Learn More About Lake Wales
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Lake Wales, FL is for everyday living.
Somewhat Walkable
Walkability
20
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Somewhat Bikeable
Bikeability
20
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
673 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
516 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
524 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
513 Students
Public
Grades PK-12
468 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
743 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
642 Students
Mclaughlin Middle School And Fine Arts Academy
Public
Grades 6-12
899 Students
Public
Grades 6-12
289 Students
Public
Grades PK-12
468 Students
Public
Grades PK & 9-12
1,619 Students
Mclaughlin Middle School And Fine Arts Academy
Public
Grades 6-12
899 Students
Public
Grades 6-12
289 Students
Public
Grades PK-12
468 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Bok Tower Gardens
- Street Nature Center
- Ridge Audubon Center
- Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park
Top Apartments in Lake Wales
Houses for Rent in Lake Wales
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.