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Lake Wales, Florida

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Current weather forecast for Lake Wales, FL

Population in 2014: 15,140 (93% urban, 7% rural). Population change since 2000: +48.5%
Males: 7,237  (47.8%)
Females: 7,903  (52.2%)
Median resident age:  35.6 years
Florida median age:  42.1 years

Zip codes: 33853.

Estimated median household income in 2016: $40,183 (it was $26,884 in 2000)
Lake Wales:

$40,183
FL:

$50,860

Estimated per capita income in 2016: $19,686 (it was $16,106 in 2000)

Lake Wales city income, earnings, and wages data

Estimated median house or condo value in 2016: $132,359 (it was $68,300 in 2000)
Lake Wales:

$132,359
FL:

$197,700

Mean prices in 2016: All housing units: $159,879; Detached houses: $184,515; Townhouses or other attached units: $287,126; In 2-unit structures: $95,595; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $94,673; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $130,256; Mobile homes: $64,625; Occupied boats, RVs, vans, etc.: $31,068

Median gross rent in 2016: $757.

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  • Races in Lake Wales, FL (2010)

    Lake Wales races chart
    • 7,82055.0%White alone
    • 3,78426.6%Black alone
    • 2,22215.6%Hispanic
    • 2041.4%Two or more races
    • 1170.8%Asian alone
    • 460.3%American Indian alone
    • 290.2%Other race alone
    • 30.02%Native Hawaiian and Other
      Pacific Islander alone

Races in Lake Wales detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth

Mar. 2016 cost of living index in Lake Wales: 86.4 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)
Recent articles from our blog. Our writers, many of them Ph.D. graduates or candidates, create easy-to-read articles on a wide variety of topics.
Lake Wales, FL forum
Recent posts about Lake Wales, Florida on our local forum with over 2,000,000 registered users. Lake Wales is mentioned 495 times on our forum:
Lake Wales Country Club  (0 replies)
Alligators in Charlotte County  (319 replies)
Lake Wales  (8 replies)
For those unhappy living in Florida  (119 replies)
Winter Haven/Lake Wales good public sch?  (3 replies)
What I dislike about Florida so far !!!  (624 replies)

Latest news from Lake Wales, FL collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: American (16.7%), Irish (5.2%), German (4.7%), English (4.1%), Jamaican (2.8%), Italian (2.2%).

Current Local Time: EST time zone

Elevation: 147 feet

Land area: 13.3 square miles.

Population density: 1,134 people per square mile   (low).

Lake Wales,FL real estate house value index trend

Lake Wales, Florida map

For population 25 years and over in Lake Wales:

  • High school or higher: 79.5%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 19.1%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 5.7%
  • Unemployed: 7.6%
  • Mean travel time to work (commute): 21.7 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Lake Wales city:

  • Never married: 26.7%
  • Now married: 48.9%
  • Separated: 3.3%
  • Widowed: 10.4%
  • Divorced: 10.6%

1,520 residents are foreign born (8.5% Latin America).

This city:

9.6%
Florida:

19.9%



According to our research of Florida and other state lists there were 110 registered sex offenders living in Lake Wales, Florida as of November 14, 2018.
The ratio of number of residents in Lake Wales to the number of sex offenders is 144 to 1.


Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2016: $1,288 (1.0%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2016: $1,556 (1.2%)

Lake Wales satellite photo by USGS

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Lakeland, FL (24.8 miles , pop. 78,452).

Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: Tampa, FL (54.0 miles , pop. 303,447).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Houston, TX (845.4 miles , pop. 1,953,631).

Nearest cities: Highland Park, FL (1.7 miles ), Waverly, FL (2.2 miles ), Crooked Lake Park, FL (2.2 miles ), Babson Park, FL (2.5 miles ), Hillcrest Heights, FL (2.5 miles ), Dundee, FL (2.9 miles ), Alturas, FL (2.9 miles ), Cypress Gardens, FL (3.1 miles ).

Single-family new house construction building permits:

  • 1997: 32 buildings, average cost: $56,100
  • 1998: 62 buildings, average cost: $52,700
  • 1999: 54 buildings, average cost: $132,100
  • 2000: 63 buildings, average cost: $65,100
  • 2001: 70 buildings, average cost: $60,400
  • 2002: 196 buildings, average cost: $88,500
  • 2003: 214 buildings, average cost: $104,300
  • 2004: 290 buildings, average cost: $119,400
  • 2005: 408 buildings, average cost: $118,400
  • 2006: 103 buildings, average cost: $143,000
  • 2007: 54 buildings, average cost: $189,900
  • 2008: 30 buildings, average cost: $247,300
  • 2009: 24 buildings, average cost: $250,400
  • 2010: 25 buildings, average cost: $252,600
  • 2011: 24 buildings, average cost: $294,300
  • 2012: 30 buildings, average cost: $257,100
  • 2013: 43 buildings, average cost: $296,600
  • 2014: 64 buildings, average cost: $283,800

Number of permits per 10,000 residents

Average cost (in $1000s)

Latitude: 27.90 N, Longitude: 81.58 W

Daytime population change due to commuting: +5,124 (+32.3%)
Workers who live and work in this city: 2,441 (44.8%)

Area code: 863

Lake Wales household income distribution Lake Wales home values distribution

Property values in Lake Wales, FL


Crime rates in Lake Wales by Year
Type 2002 2003 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Murders 01014000121011
per 100,000 0.09.50.07.628.10.00.00.06.913.76.70.06.56.3
Rapes 62020000043211
per 100,000 56.318.90.015.20.00.00.00.00.027.420.213.36.56.3
Robberies 3325212026302915231015201218
per 100,000 309.6236.4183.5151.7182.8204.4195.0102.8159.568.5101.0132.578.0113.8
Assaults 4752573129423937183029452529
per 100,000 440.9491.7498.1235.2203.8286.2262.2253.5124.8205.5195.2298.2162.6183.3
Burglaries 25320338019814719218916119316118618913276
per 100,000 2,373.41,919.43,320.81,501.91,033.21,308.31,270.61,103.31,338.51,103.11,252.21,252.3858.4480.4
Theft 814586393473504727667684623288396453363412
per 100,000 7,636.05,540.83,434.43,588.03,542.64,954.04,484.04,687.24,320.71,973.32,665.93,001.62,360.72,604.5
Auto thefts 9563523524251616201921272726
per 100,000 891.2595.7454.4265.5168.7170.4107.6109.6138.7130.2141.4178.9175.6164.4
Arson 30121110111110
per 100,000 28.10.08.715.27.06.86.70.06.96.96.76.66.50.0
City-data.com crime index (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 278.1) 764.8603.7557.9389.7379.3421.9387.8355.0364.3277.6304.6332.0242.7239.5

(click on a table row to update graph)

City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities.

Crime rate in Lake Wales detailed stats: murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, arson
Full-time law enforcement employees in 2016, including police officers: 48 (43 officers).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

2.72
Florida average:

2.11

Lake Wales tourist attractions:

Unemployment in September 2015:
Here:

6.1%
Florida:

5.4%

Unemployment by year (%)

Historical population

Historical housing units


Population change in the 1990s: -201 (-1.9%).
Most common industries in 2016 (%)
Males Females
  • Manufacturing (17%)
  • Retail trade (16%)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (8%)
  • Construction (7%)
  • Educational services (6%)
  • Administrative and support and waste management services (6%)
  • Accommodation and food services (6%)
  • Retail trade (18%)
  • Health care and social assistance (18%)
  • Educational services (14%)
  • Accommodation and food services (12%)
  • Other services, except public administration (8%)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (6%)
  • Finance and insurance (6%)
Most common occupations in 2016 (%)
Males Females
  • Production occupations (15%)
  • Office and administrative support occupations (10%)
  • Sales and related occupations (9%)
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (8%)
  • Material moving occupations (7%)
  • Construction and extraction occupations (6%)
  • Food preparation and serving related occupations (6%)
  • Office and administrative support occupations (18%)
  • Sales and related occupations (18%)
  • Food preparation and serving related occupations (12%)
  • Healthcare support occupations (9%)
  • Personal care and service occupations (7%)
  • Education, training, and library occupations (6%)
  • Management occupations (6%)

Work and jobs in Lake Wales: detailed stats about occupations, industries, unemployment, workers, commute

Average climate in Lake Wales, Florida

Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Lake Wales, Florida average temperatures Lake Wales, Florida average precipitation Lake Wales, Florida humidity Lake Wales, Florida wind speed Lake Wales, Florida snowfall Lake Wales, Florida sunshine Lake Wales, Florida clear and cloudy days

Tornado activity:

Lake Wales-area historical tornado activity is above Florida state average. It is 57% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 2/22/1998, a category F3 (max. wind speeds 158-206 mph) tornado 23.4 miles away from the Lake Wales city center killed 25 people and injured 150 people and caused $55 million in damages.

On 2/19/1963, a category F2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado 0.4 miles away from the city center caused between $50,000 and $500,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity:

Lake Wales-area historical earthquake activity is near Florida state average. It is 96% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 9/10/2006 at 14:56:08, a magnitude 5.9 (5.9 MB, 5.5 MS, 5.8 MW, Depth: 8.7 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 331.1 miles away from the city center
On 11/22/1974 at 05:25:55, a magnitude 4.7 (4.7 MB, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 356.0 miles away from Lake Wales center
On 11/11/2002 at 23:39:29, a magnitude 4.4 (4.0 MB, 4.4 LG, Depth: 1.5 mi) earthquake occurred 326.4 miles away from the city center
On 10/24/1997 at 08:35:17, a magnitude 4.9 (4.8 MB, 4.2 MS, 4.9 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 408.3 miles away from the city center
On 8/2/1974 at 08:52:09, a magnitude 4.9 (4.3 MB, 4.9 LG) earthquake occurred 416.2 miles away from Lake Wales center
On 8/21/1992 at 16:31:55, a magnitude 4.4 (4.1 MB, 4.1 LG, 4.4 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 366.5 miles away from the city center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in Polk County (21) is a lot greater than the US average (13).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 12
Emergencies Declared: 5

Causes of natural disasters: Hurricanes: 9, Fires: 6, Tropical Storms: 4, Tornadoes: 3, Floods: 2, Freeze: 1, Storm: 1, Wind: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Lake Wales topographic map

Birthplace of: Alvin Harper - Football player, Amare Stoudemire - NBA player (Phoenix Suns, born: Nov 16, 1982), Buford Long - College football player, Dominique Jones - Basketball player, Justin Pope - Baseball player and coach, Lorenzo Hampton - College football player, Vin Baker - NBA player (Houston Rockets, born: Nov 23, 1971), Wade Davis (baseball) - Baseball player, Dave Braggins - Player of and football, Derrick Simmons - College basketball player (Fla Atlantic Owls).

Hospitals and medical centers in Lake Wales:

  • LAKE WALES MEDICAL CENTER (Proprietary, provides emergency services, 410 S 11TH ST)
  • GRACE HEALTHCARE OF LAKE WALES (730 NORTH SCENIC HIGHWAY)
  • GROVES CENTER (512 S 11TH ST)
  • LAKE WALES CONVALESCENT CENTER (730 N SCENIC HIGHWAY)
  • LAKE WALES MEDICAL EXT CARE (414 S 11TH ST)
  • LAKE WALES DIALYSIS (1125 BRYN MAWR AVE)
  • RAI CARE CENTERS - LAKE WALES (1348 STATE ROAD 60 E)
  • AMEDISYS OF LAKE WALES (1120 CARLTON AVENUE)

Airports, heliports and other landing facilities located in Lake Wales:

See details about Airports, heliports and other landing facilities located in Lake Wales, FL

Amtrak station near Lake Wales:

  • 12 miles: WINTER HAVEN (1800 7TH ST. S.W.) . Services: ticket office, fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, vending machines, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, taxi stand.

College/University in Lake Wales:

  • Warner University (Full-time enrollment: 1,035; Location: 13895 Hwy 27; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.warner.edu; Offers Master's degree)

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Lake Wales:

  • Polk State College (about 12 miles; Winter Haven, FL; Full-time enrollment: 7,935)
  • Southeastern University (about 23 miles; Lakeland, FL; FT enrollment: 2,407)
  • Florida Southern College (about 24 miles; Lakeland, FL; FT enrollment: 2,460)
  • Universal Technical Institute-Auto Motorcycle & Marine Mechanics Institute Division-Orlando (about 38 miles; Orlando, FL; FT enrollment: 4,338)
  • Everest University-South Orlando (about 38 miles; Orlando, FL; FT enrollment: 33,859)
  • Valencia College (about 44 miles; Orlando, FL; FT enrollment: 30,467)
  • Everest University-Brandon (about 48 miles; Tampa, FL; FT enrollment: 7,702)

Public high schools in Lake Wales:

Private high schools in Lake Wales:

  • CANDLELIGHT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Students: 115, Location: 209 E SESSOMS AVE, Grades: KG-12)
  • THE VANGUARD SCHOOL (Students: 100, Location: 22000 HWY 27, Grades: 4-12)
  • ENDTIME CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE (Students: 15, Location: 200 S 3RD ST, Grades: KG-12)

Public elementary/middle schools in Lake Wales:

See full list of schools located in Lake Wales

Click to draw/clear city borders

Notable locations in Lake Wales: Anton Brees Carillon Library (A), Lake Wales Museum and Cultural Center (B), Lake Wales Public Library (C), City of Lake Wales Fire Department (D), Lake Wales Police Department (E). Display/hide their locations on the map

Church in Lake Wales: Church of God (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Cemetery: Garden Cemetery (1). Display/hide its location on the map

Lakes and swamps: Lake Alta (A), Lake Altamaha (B), Tater Patch Pond (C), Lake Warren (D), North Lake Wales (E), Twin Lakes (F), Lake Cooper (G), Crystal Lake (H). Display/hide their locations on the map

Tourist attractions: Lake Wales Museum & Cultural Center (Historical Places & Services; 325 South Scenic Highway) (1), My Image Art (Art Museums; 451 Eagle Ridge Dr) (2). Display/hide their approximate locations on the map

Hotels: Big Oak Motel (3618 North Scenic Highway) (1), Chalet Suzanne Restaurant & Country Inn - Canning Plant (3800 Chalet Suzanne Drive) (2), Arborgate Inn (705 West Central Avenue) (3), A Prince of Wales Motel (513 Scenic Hwy S) (4), Uncle Joe's Fish Camp (4535 Walk In Water Rd) (5). Display/hide their approximate locations on the map

Polk County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Moderate Potential

Air pollution and air quality trends
(lower is better)

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2006 was 48.3. This is significantly better than average.

City:

48.3
U.S.:

74.7

Particulate Matter (PM10) [µg/m3] level in 2006 was 21.0. This is about average. Closest monitor was 16.2 miles away from the city center.

City:

21.0
U.S.:

20.0
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2016: 24.0%
(14.9% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 40.4% for Black residents, 29.4% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 40.4% for other race residents, 41.4% for two or more races residents)
Average household size:
This city:  2.4 people
Florida:  2.5 people

Percentage of family households:
This city:  65.3%
Whole state:  65.2%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This city:  6.2%
Whole state:  7.3%

Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households)
  • Lesbian couples: 0.3% of all households
  • Gay men: 0.2% of all households

People in group quarters in Lake Wales in 2010:

  • 189 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
  • 108 people in residential schools for people with disabilities
  • 47 people in workers' group living quarters and job corps centers
  • 8 people in group homes intended for adults

People in group quarters in Lake Wales in 2000:

  • 290 people in nursing homes
  • 20 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
  • 10 people in unknown juvenile institutions

Lake Wales, Florida environmental map by EPA

Map Legend

Banks with branches in Lake Wales (2011 data):

  • Citizens Bank and Trust: Chalet Suzanne Branch, Messenger Service, Lake Wales Branch. Info updated 2007/08/06: Bank assets: $429.4 mil, Deposits: $378.5 mil, headquarters in Frostproof, FL, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 13 total offices, Holding Company: Citizens Banking Corporation
  • SunTrust Bank: East Lake Wales Branch at 2011 East State Road 60, branch established on 1988/10/31; Lake Wales Branch at 102 East Central Avenue, branch established on 1985/03/04. Info updated 2010/05/27: Bank assets: $171,291.7 mil, Deposits: $129,833.2 mil, headquarters in Atlanta, GA, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 1716 total offices, Holding Company: Suntrust Banks, Inc.
  • CenterState Bank of Florida, National Association: Lake Ashton Branch at 4144 Ashton Club Drive, branch established on 2002/12/20; Lake Wales Branch at 300 West Central Avenue, branch established on 2004/04/19. Info updated 2012/01/30: Bank assets: $2,082.6 mil, Deposits: $1,779.8 mil, headquarters in Winter Haven, FL, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 65 total offices, Holding Company: Centerstate Banks, Inc.
  • TD Bank, National Association: Lake Wales Branch at 1838 State Road 60, branch established on 2000/10/16. Info updated 2010/10/04: Bank assets: $188,912.6 mil, Deposits: $153,149.8 mil, headquarters in Wilmington, DE, positive income, 1314 total offices, Holding Company: Toronto-Dominion Bank, The
  • Wells Fargo Bank, National Association: Lake Wales Branch at 149 East Stuart Avenue, branch established on 1915/10/28. Info updated 2011/04/05: Bank assets: $1,161,490.0 mil, Deposits: $905,653.0 mil, headquarters in Sioux Falls, SD, positive income, 6395 total offices, Holding Company: Wells Fargo & Company
  • Bank of America, National Association: East Lake Wales Branch at 1100 State Road 60 East, branch established on 1986/03/22. Info updated 2009/11/18: Bank assets: $1,451,969.3 mil, Deposits: $1,077,176.8 mil, headquarters in Charlotte, NC, positive income, 5782 total offices, Holding Company: Bank Of America Corporation
  • Urban Trust Bank: Lake Wales Branch at 2000 State Road 60 East, branch established on 2009/06/26. Info updated 2011/12/08: Bank assets: $597.3 mil, Deposits: $489.5 mil, headquarters in Lake Mary, FL, positive income, Mortgage Lending Specialization, 25 total offices

Educational Attainment (%) in 2016

School Enrollment by Level of School (%) in 2016

Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

14.2
Florida average:

12.3

Lake Wales travel time to work - commute Lake Wales mode of transportation to work chart

Presidential Elections Results

1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

1996 Presidential Elections Results

2000 Presidential Elections Results

2004 Presidential Elections Results

2008 Presidential Elections Results

2012 Presidential Elections Results

2016 Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Neighborhoods in Lake Wales:

(Lake Wales, Florida Neighborhood Map)

Religion statistics for Lake Wales city (based on Polk County data)

ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Evangelical Protestant148,424504
Catholic45,25113
Mainline Protestant31,34774
Black Protestant10,76146
Other8,63036
Orthodox3073
None357,375-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 94
Polk County:

1.64 / 10,000 pop.
Florida:

2.04 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 6
This county:

0.10 / 10,000 pop.
State:

0.11 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 104
Polk County:

1.82 / 10,000 pop.
Florida:

1.28 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 215
Polk County:

3.75 / 10,000 pop.
State:

3.04 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 281
Here:

4.90 / 10,000 pop.
State:

7.45 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
This county:

9.8%
Florida:

9.2%
Adult obesity rate:
Polk County:

30.1%
Florida:

23.7%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
This county:

15.0%
State:

14.0%

Health and Nutrition:

Healthy diet rate:
Here:

49.2%
State:

50.9%

Average overall health of teeth and gums:
Lake Wales:

45.5%
State:

48.5%

Average BMI:
This city:

29.0
Florida:

28.7

People feeling badly about themselves:
Lake Wales:

20.2%
Florida:

19.9%

People not drinking alcohol at all:
Here:

12.6%
State:

11.0%

Average hours sleeping at night:
Lake Wales:

6.8
State:

6.9

Overweight people:
This city:

34.3%
State:

34.8%

General health condition:
Lake Wales:

53.6%
Florida:

56.4%

Average condition of hearing:
Here:

78.1%
Florida:

78.9%

More about Health and Nutrition of Lake Wales, FL Residents
Local government employment and payroll (March 2012)
Function Full-time employees Monthly full-time payroll Average yearly full-time wage Part-time employees Monthly part-time payroll
Financial Administration 12$34,483$34,4830$0
Other Government Administration 24$107,718$53,8596$3,514
Police Protection - Officers 45$91,540$24,4110$0
Police - Other 1$2,403$28,8360$0
Firefighters 25$67,758$32,5245$7,245
Streets and Highways 7$14,856$25,4670$0
Sewerage 11$36,667$40,0000$0
Parks and Recreation 12$24,255$24,2554$1,951
Water Supply 10$20,493$24,5920$0
Local Libraries 13$26,672$24,6202$2,335
Other and Unallocable 22$28,684$15,6460$0
Totals for Government 182$455,529$30,03517$15,045

Lake Wales government finances - Expenditure in 2002 (per resident):

  • Construction - General: $842,000 ($55.61)
    Parks & Recreation: $803,000 ($53.04)
    Regular Highways: $552,000 ($36.46)
  • Current Operations - Police Protection: $3,042,000 ($200.92)
    Water Utilities: $1,562,000 ($103.17)
    Sewerage: $1,433,000 ($94.65)
    Solid Waste Management: $1,294,000 ($85.47)
    Fire Protection: $1,284,000 ($84.81)
    General - Other: $978,000 ($64.60)
    Parks & Recreation: $714,000 ($47.16)
    Central Staff Services: $570,000 ($37.65)
    Financial Administration: $504,000 ($33.29)
    Regular Highways: $479,000 ($31.64)
    Libraries: $394,000 ($26.02)
    Protective Inspection and Regulation, NEC: $326,000 ($21.53)
    Air Transportation: $77,000 ($5.09)
    Judicial and Legal Services: $41,000 ($2.71)
  • General - Interest on Debt: $795,000 ($52.51)
  • Other Capital Outlay - General - Other: $73,000 ($4.82)
    Police Protection: $51,000 ($3.37)
    Fire Protection: $40,000 ($2.64)
    Libraries: $35,000 ($2.31)
    Financial Administration: $10,000 ($0.66)
    Parks & Recreation: $6,000 ($0.40)
    Central Staff: $3,000 ($0.20)
    Protective Inspection & Regulation, NEC: $1,000 ($0.07)
  • Total Salaries & Wages: $5,866,000 ($387.45)
  • Water Utilities - Interest on Debt: $571,000 ($37.71)

Lake Wales government finances - Revenue in 2002 (per resident):

  • Charges - Air Transportation: $45,000 ($2.97)
  • Charges - Sewerage: $1,515,000 ($100.07)
    Solid Waste Management: $1,126,000 ($74.37)
    All Other: $1,123,000 ($74.17)
    Parks & Recreation: $16,000 ($1.06)
  • Federal Intergovernmental - All Other: $415,000 ($27.41)
    General Support: $14,000 ($0.92)
  • Local Intergovernmental - All Other: $447,000 ($29.52)
    Highways: $61,000 ($4.03)
  • Miscellaneous - Interest Earnings: $217,000 ($14.33)
    General Revenue, NEC: $167,000 ($11.03)
    Rents: $104,000 ($6.87)
  • Revenue - Water Utilities: $1,964,000 ($129.72)
  • State Intergovernmental - General Support: $880,000 ($58.12)
    All Other: $465,000 ($30.71)
  • Tax - Property: $2,387,000 ($157.66)
    Public Utilities: $2,220,000 ($146.63)
    Motor Fuels Sales: $574,000 ($37.91)
    NEC: $214,000 ($14.13)
    Other Selective Sales: $140,000 ($9.25)

Lake Wales government finances - Debt in 2002 (per resident):

  • Long Term Debt Beginning Outstanding - Water Utilities: $10,616,000 ($701.19)
  • Long Term Debt Beginning Outstanding, NEC: $15,449,000 ($1020.41)
  • Long Term Debt Outstanding Nonguaranteed - Other, NEC: $14,737,000 ($973.38)
    Water Utilities: $10,205,000 ($674.04)
  • Long Term Debt Retired Unspecified - Other, NEC: $712,000 ($47.03)
    Water Utilities: $411,000 ($27.15)

Lake Wales government finances - Cash and Securities in 2002 (per resident):

  • Bond Fund - Cash & Deposits: $785,000 ($51.85)
  • Other Funds - Cash & Deposits: $627,000 ($41.41)
  • Sinking Fund - Cash & Deposits: $1,343,000 ($88.71)

7.84% of this county's 2011 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2010 ($30,912 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

7.84%
Florida average:

7.97%

0.07% of residents moved from foreign countries ($229 average AGI)
Polk County:

0.07%
Florida average:

0.11%

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2010 and 2011:
from Hillsborough County, FL  1.03% ($27,691 average AGI)
from Orange County, FL  0.70% ($28,675)
from Osceola County, FL  0.49% ($26,726)


6.96% of this county's 2010 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2011 ($30,113 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

6.96%
Florida average:

7.17%

0.07% of residents moved to foreign countries ($225 average AGI)
Polk County:

0.07%
Florida average:

0.12%

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2010 and 2011:
to Hillsborough County, FL  1.14% ($26,149 average AGI)
to Orange County, FL  0.65% ($31,231)
to Osceola County, FL  0.53% ($27,511)

Strongest AM radio stations in Lake Wales:

  • WIPC (1280 AM; 1 kW; LAKE WALES, FL; Owner: SIBER MEDIA GROUP INC)
  • WFLF (540 AM; 50 kW; PINE HILLS, FL; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • WQTM (740 AM; 50 kW; ORLANDO, FL; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • WHNR (1360 AM; 5 kW; CYPRESS GARDENS, FL; Owner: GB ENTERPRISES COMMUNICATIONS CORP.)
  • WQYK (1010 AM; 50 kW; SEFFNER, FL; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING CORPORATION OF TAMPA)
  • WHOO (1080 AM; daytime; 35 kW; KISSIMMEE, FL; Owner: GENESIS COMMUNICATIONS I, INC.)
  • WDYZ (990 AM; 50 kW; ORLANDO, FL; Owner: ABC, INC.)
  • WONQ (1030 AM; 45 kW; OVIEDO, FL; Owner: FLORIDA BROADCASTERS)
  • WMGG (820 AM; 50 kW; LARGO, FL; Owner: MEGA COMMUNICATIONS OF ST. PETERSBURG LICENSEE)
  • WIXC (1060 AM; 50 kW; TITUSVILLE, FL; Owner: GENESIS COMMUNICATIONS I, INC.)
  • WWBF (1130 AM; 3 kW; BARTOW, FL; Owner: THOMAS N. THORNBURG, THORNBURG COMM.)
  • WTWB (1570 AM; 5 kW; AUBURNDALE, FL; Owner: CARPENTER'S HOME CHURCH, INC.)
  • WLCC (760 AM; 10 kW; BRANDON, FL; Owner: MEGA COMMUNICATIONS OF TAMPA LICENSEE)

Strongest FM radio stations in Lake Wales:

  • WPCV (97.5 FM; WINTER HAVEN, FL; Owner: HALL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • WSJT (94.1 FM; LAKELAND, FL; Owner: INFINITY RADIO OPERATIONS INC.)
  • WWRM (94.9 FM; TAMPA, FL; Owner: COX RADIO, INC.)
  • WWRZ (98.3 FM; FORT MEADE, FL; Owner: HALL COMMUNICATIONS INC)
  • WPOI (101.5 FM; ST. PETERSBURG, FL; Owner: CXR HOLDINGS, INC.)
  • WXXL (106.7 FM; TAVARES, FL; Owner: AMFM RADIO LICENSES, L.L.C.)
  • WFLZ-FM (93.3 FM; TAMPA, FL; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • WMTX (100.7 FM; TAMPA, FL; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • WQYK-FM (99.5 FM; ST. PETERSBURG, FL; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING CORPORATION OF FLORIDA)
  • WTBT (103.5 FM; BRADENTON, FL; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • WHPT (102.5 FM; SARASOTA, FL; Owner: CXR HOLDINGS, INC.)
  • WJRR (101.1 FM; COCOA BEACH, FL; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • WSHE (100.3 FM; ORLANDO, FL; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • WTKS-FM (104.1 FM; COCOA BEACH, FL; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • WHTQ (96.5 FM; ORLANDO, FL; Owner: COX RADIO, INC.)
  • WWOJ (99.1 FM; AVON PARK, FL; Owner: COHAN RADIO GROUP, INC.)
  • WLAZ (89.1 FM; KISSIMMEE, FL; Owner: CAGUAS EDUCATIONAL TV, INC.)
  • WBVM (90.5 FM; TAMPA, FL; Owner: BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE/ST. PETERSBURG)
  • WLVF-FM (90.3 FM; HAINES CITY, FL; Owner: LANDMARK BAPTIST CHURCH, INC.)
  • WUSF (89.7 FM; TAMPA, FL; Owner: UNIVERSITY OF S. FLORIDA)

TV broadcast stations around Lake Wales:

  • WMOR-TV (Channel 32; LAKELAND, FL; Owner: WMOR-TV COMPANY)
  • WLWA-LP (Channel 14; LAKELAND, FL; Owner: TRI-MEDIA GROUP, INC.)
  • WOPX (Channel 56; MELBOURNE, FL; Owner: PAXSON ORLANDO LICENSE, INC.)
  • WEDU (Channel 3; TAMPA, FL; Owner: FLORIDA WEST COAST PUBLIC BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • WZXZ-CA (Channel 11; ORLANDO, ETC., FL; Owner: THE BOX WORLDWIDE LLC)
  • WRDQ (Channel 27; ORLANDO, FL; Owner: WFTV-TV HOLDINGS, INC.)
  • WXPX (Channel 66; BRADENTON, FL; Owner: PAXSON COMMUNICATION LICENSE COMPANY, LLC)
  • WFLA-TV (Channel 8; TAMPA, FL; Owner: MEDIA GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • WFTS-TV (Channel 28; TAMPA, FL; Owner: TAMPA BAY TELEVISION, INC.)
  • WTOG (Channel 44; ST. PETERSBURG, FL; Owner: VIACOM INTERNATIONAL INC.)
  • WUSF-TV (Channel 16; TAMPA, FL; Owner: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA)
  • WTVT (Channel 13; TAMPA, FL; Owner: TVT LICENSE, INC.)
  • WTTA (Channel 38; ST. PETERSBURG, FL; Owner: BAY TELEVISION, INC.)
  • WFTT (Channel 50; TAMPA, FL; Owner: TELEFUTURA TAMPA LLC)
  • WFTV (Channel 9; ORLANDO, FL; Owner: WFTV-TV HOLDINGS, INC.)
  • WCLF (Channel 22; CLEARWATER, FL; Owner: CHRISTIAN TELEVISION CORPORATION, INC.)
  • WTGL-TV (Channel 52; COCOA, FL; Owner: GOOD LIFE BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • WBCC (Channel 68; COCOA, FL; Owner: BREVARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE)
  • WTAM-LP (Channel 6; TAMPA, FL; Owner: U.S. INTERACTIVE, L.L.C.)
  • WACX (Channel 55; LEESBURG, FL; Owner: ASSOCIATED CHRISTIAN TELEVISION SYSTEM, INC.)
  • WKCF (Channel 18; CLERMONT, FL; Owner: EMMIS TELEVISION LICENSE CORPORATION)
  • WLCB-TV (Channel 45; LEESBURG, FL; Owner: GOOD LIFE BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • WKMG-TV (Channel 6; ORLANDO, FL; Owner: POST-NEWSWEEK STATIONS ORLANDO, INC.)
  • WRBW (Channel 65; ORLANDO, FL; Owner: FOX TELEVISION STATIONS, INC.)

Fatal accident count (per 100,000 population)

See more detailed statistics of Lake Wales fatal car crashes and road traffic accidents for 1975 - 2014 here
  • National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics
  • 10Number of bridges
  • 55m180ftTotal length
  • 173,200Total average daily traffic
  • 27,139Total average daily truck traffic

New bridges - Historical Statistics

  • 81960-1969
  • 22000-2009
See Full National Bridge Inventory Statistics for Lake Wales, FL
FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers: 1 (See the full list of FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers in Lake Wales)
FCC Registered Antenna Towers: 150 (See the full list of FCC Registered Antenna Towers)
FCC Registered Private Land Mobile Towers: 27 (See the full list of FCC Registered Private Land Mobile Towers in Lake Wales, FL)
FCC Registered Microwave Towers: 18 (See the full list of FCC Registered Microwave Towers in this town)
FCC Registered Paging Towers: 3 (See the full list of FCC Registered Paging Towers)
FCC Registered Maritime Coast & Aviation Ground Towers: 4 (See the full list of FCC Registered Maritime Coast & Aviation Ground Towers)
FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses: 175 (See the full list of FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses in Lake Wales)

FAA Registered Aircraft Manufacturers and Dealers: 2 (See the full list of FAA Registered Manufacturers and Dealers in Lake Wales)
FAA Registered Aircraft: 40 (See the full list of FAA Registered Aircraft)
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Aggregated Statistics For Year 2009
(Based on 4 partial tracts)
A) FHA, FSA/RHS & VA
Home Purchase Loans		B) Conventional
Home Purchase Loans		C) Refinancings
D) Home Improvement Loans
F) Non-occupant Loans on
< 5 Family Dwellings (A B C & D)		G) Loans On Manufactured
Home Dwelling (A B C & D)
NumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage Value
LOANS ORIGINATED14$118,46917$126,75838$145,8575$26,65612$120,8002$49,970
APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED1$62,6002$102,5857$135,3600$02$173,9700$0
APPLICATIONS DENIED3$149,5738$73,90542$125,46111$26,54911$74,7904$23,488
APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN3$120,4232$127,17517$164,7211$89,8503$197,7000$0
FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS1$82,5700$03$148,4330$01$94,0000$0
Choose year:  2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999

Detailed HMDA statistics for the following Tracts: 0143.01 , 0143.02, 0144.00, 0155.00

Private Mortgage Insurance Companies Aggregated Statistics For Year 2009
(Based on 2 partial tracts)
A) Conventional
Home Purchase Loans
NumberAverage Value
LOANS ORIGINATED1$82,430
APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED0$0
APPLICATIONS DENIED0$0
APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN0$0
FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS0$0
Choose year:  2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999

Detailed PMIC statistics for the following Tracts: 0143.01 , 0143.02, 0144.00, 0155.00

Conventional Home Purchase Loans

Conventional Home Purchase Loans - Value

Drinking water stations with addresses in Lake Wales and their reported violations in the past:

LAKE AURORA CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY (Population served: 200, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • One regular monitoring violation
WAYSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH (Population served: 125, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • One minor monitoring violation
  • One regular monitoring violation
GRAPE HAMMOCK (Population served: 120, Groundwater):
Past health violations:
  • MCL, Acute (TCR) - In OCT-2012, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (NOV-13-2012), St Violation/Reminder Notice (NOV-13-2012), St Public Notif received (NOV-13-2012), St Compliance achieved (DEC-17-2012)
Past monitoring violations:
  • Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) - Between JAN-2012 and MAR-2012, Contaminant: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5). Follow-up actions: St Tech Assistance Visit (FEB-24-2012), St Violation/Reminder Notice (SEP-26-2012), St Compliance achieved (JAN-27-2013)
  • Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) - Between JAN-2012 and MAR-2012, Contaminant: TTHM. Follow-up actions: St Tech Assistance Visit (FEB-24-2012), St Violation/Reminder Notice (SEP-26-2012), St Compliance achieved (JAN-27-2013)
  • Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) - Between OCT-2011 and DEC-2011, Contaminant: TTHM. Follow-up actions: St Violation/Reminder Notice (SEP-26-2012), St Compliance achieved (JAN-27-2013)
  • Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) - Between OCT-2011 and DEC-2011, Contaminant: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5). Follow-up actions: St Violation/Reminder Notice (SEP-26-2012), St Compliance achieved (JAN-27-2013)
  • Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) - Between JUL-2011 and SEP-2011, Contaminant: TTHM. Follow-up actions: St Violation/Reminder Notice (SEP-26-2012), St Compliance achieved (JAN-27-2013)
  • 2 minor monitoring violations
  • One other older monitoring violation
JAY BEE'S RESTAURANT (Population served: 100, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • One routine major monitoring violation
STOP ; SHOP CITGO (Population served: 75, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • One routine major monitoring violation
TIOTIE BEACH ESTATES (Population served: 60, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • One routine major monitoring violation
  • One minor monitoring violation
CAMP ROSALIE (Population served: 59, Groundwater):
Past health violations:
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In MAR-2007, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Violation/Reminder Notice (APR-26-2007), St Public Notif requested (APR-26-2007)
TRAVEL INN/MAMA'S TABLE CAFE' (Population served: 50, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • 2 routine major monitoring violations

Drinking water stations with addresses in Lake Wales that have no violations reported:

  • JIMMY'S FOOD ; DELI (Population served: 250, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • ENCHANTED GROVE MHP (Population served: 230, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • J K FOOD (Population served: 200, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • SUNOCO FOODMART (Population served: 150, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • LAKE WALES CAMPGROUND (Population served: 100, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • LIAR'S LAIR LOUNGE (Population served: 50, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • STARR LAKE VILLAGE INC (Population served: 30, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • SUNNY GEM ISLE (Population served: 26, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • HOLIDAY PARK (Population served: 25, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • LAKE WALES AIRPORT (Population served: 25, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)

2006 National Fire Incident Reporting System Incidents:

  • Fire: 310
  • Hazardous Condition: 80
  • Service Call: 55
  • Good Intent Call: 22

Incident types - Lake Wales

See full 2006 National Fire Incident Reporting System statistics for Lake Wales, FL

Fire-safe hotels and motels in Lake Wales, Florida:

  • Tower View Motel, 1518 N Alt Hwy 27, Lake Wales, Florida 33853
  • Mountain Lake Club Hotel, N Alt Hwy 27, Lake Wales, Florida 33853
  • Laurel Motel, 801 S Hwy 27, Lake Wales, Florida 33853
  • Lake Side Motel, 629 S Hwy 27, Lake Wales, Florida 33853
  • Holiday Motel, 18801 Hwy 27 S, Lake Wales, Florida 33853 , Phone: (863) 678-1700
  • Budget Motel, 1418 Hwy 27 S, Lake Wales, Florida 33853
  • Emerald Motel, 530 S Scenic Hwy, Lake Wales, Florida 33853 , Fax: (863) 676-0276
  • Starr Lake Motel, 3901 N Alt 27, Lake Wales, Florida 33853
  • 5 other hotels and motels
All 13 fire-safe hotels and motels in Lake Wales, Florida
Most common first names in Lake Wales, FL among deceased individuals
NameCountLived (average)
William26874.4 years
John25674.4 years
James24871.1 years
Mary23078.9 years
Robert20573.6 years
Charles15872.7 years
George13976.5 years
Joseph10275.8 years
Margaret9277.1 years
Helen9077.7 years
Most common last names in Lake Wales, FL among deceased individuals
Last nameCountLived (average)
Smith14375.9 years
Jones11274.7 years
Johnson10071.0 years
Williams9276.4 years
Brown7774.5 years
Davis7673.1 years
Miller4976.3 years
Thomas4575.4 years
White4175.9 years
Allen3671.2 years

Most commonly used house heating fuel:

  • Electricity (93%)
  • Utility gas (4%)
  • No fuel used (1%)
  • Bottled, tank, or LP gas (1%)
Businesses in Lake Wales, FL
NameCountNameCount
AT&T1Kohl's1
Advance Auto Parts1Lowe's1
Aeropostale1MasterBrand Cabinets2
Arby's1McDonald's2
AutoZone1Nike4
Bath & Body Works1Pac Sun1
Blockbuster1Payless1
CVS1Pizza Hut1
Charlotte Russe1Publix Super Markets2
Chevrolet1RadioShack3
Curves1Sears2
Dairy Queen1Spencer Gifts1
Dennys1Sprint Nextel1
Domino's Pizza1Starbucks1
Dunkin Donuts1Super 81
FedEx3T-Mobile5
Foot Locker1Taco Bell1
Ford1Tire Kingdom1
GNC1Toys"R"Us1
GameStop1True Value1
H&R Block2U-Haul3
Hilton1UPS6
Holiday Inn1Vans1
Home Depot1Victoria's Secret1
IHOP1Walgreens2
JCPenney1Walmart1
Journeys1YMCA1
KFC1

Lake Wales compared to Florida state average:

  • Unemployed percentage below state average.
  • Black race population percentage above state average.
  • Length of stay since moving in significantly below state average.

Lake Wales on our top lists:

  • #71 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the largest city-data.com crime index decrease from 2002 to 2012 (population 5,000+)"
  • #28 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Evangelical Protestant congregations"
  • #32 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest ground withdrawal of fresh water for public supply"
  • #39 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest surface withdrawal of fresh water for public supply"
  • #44 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Evangelical Protestant adherents"
  • #45 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest number of infant deaths per 1000 residents 2007-2013 (pop. 50,000+)"
There are 30 pilots and 21 other airmen in this city.
Cost of Living Calculator
Top Patent Applicants
Top Patent Applicants
  • Robert E. Townsend, Jr. (6)
  • David O. Carrier (3)
  • Eric D. Carrier (3)
  • Sylvia H. Carson (2)
  • William S. Carson (2)
  • Dale Brintnall (1)
  • William Gorings (1)
  • Robert S. Sedlacek (1)
  • Samuel Stewart, Ii (1)
  • Spincontrol Gearing Llc (1)

Total of 23 patent applications in 2008-2018.

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