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Lake Wales, FL


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Lake Wales, Florida

Introduction to Lake Wales, Florida

Lake Wales, Florida, in Polk county, is 24 miles E of Lakeland, Florida (center to center) and 53 miles E of Tampa, Florida. The city is part of the Lakeland - Winter Haven metropolitan statistical area (MSA). About 10,194 people live in Lake Wales.

Lake Wales History

Sidney Irving Wailes surveyed this area in 1879. He changed the name of the Watts Lake to Lake Wailes. The city itself was founded near this lake in 1911-12. The Lake Wales Land Company planned it. A railroad was built by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in 1925. It joined the cities of Haines and Everglades, and a depot was established at Lake Wales.

Lake Wales and nearby Attractions

  • Lake Wales Public Library
  • Lake Wales Arts Center
  • Depot Museum
  • Historic Bok Sanctuary
  • Florida Skydiving Center
  • Lake Wales Little Theater

Things To Do In Lake Wales

Lake Wales is located in the rolling hills of Polk County. It has numerous antique shops and art galleries. People who like hiking and biking would love the excellent 2.25 mile long path that runs beside the shores of Lake Wales. The city also has a huge area dedicated to athletic fields and public parks. The popular activities include boating, fishing, camping, picnicking and bird watching.

Lake Wales Transportation

The city has Lake Wales Municipal Airport to provide air service. Tampa International Airport provides access to national and international flights.

Lake Wales Higher Education

Warner Southern College serves the city.

High Points

Lake Wales strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Florida):

CategoryTrophy
Racial Diversity
(vs. Peers)
Top 4%trophyLake Wales Racial Diversity
Affordability of Rents
(vs. Peers)
Top 14%Lake Wales Affordability of Rents
Walking and Biking to Work
(vs. Peers)
Top 16%Lake Wales Walking and Biking to Work

Comparative Profile of Lake Wales, FL

Comparing Lake Wales to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Florida (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Racial Diversity109
Senior Citizens97
Female Share of the Population88
Children Under 5 Years Old89
Age of the Population64
Male Share of the Population34
Well-Paid Single Men23

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Average Household Size56
Portion of People Married23

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
College Educated Adults55
People in Middle Class or Better23
People Above Poverty23
Median Family Income23

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Walking and Biking to Work98
Working at Home87
Public Transportation Use78
Short Commute Times57

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals99
Seasonal and Vacation Housing94
Affordability of Rents99
Affordability of Property Taxes87
People Living Alone76
Housing Recently Built74

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Low Violent Crime24
Low Property Crime12
Detailed pages on related topics: Colleges in Lake Wales, Graduate Schools in Lake Wales, Lake Wales mortgage and property, Lake Wales travel

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