Lakeland, FL

Census Place

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2024 Population
119,961
US Senator
Rick Scott
Republican Party
US Senator
Ashley Moody
Republican Party
2024 Median Age
38.9
2.51% 1-year decrease
2024 Poverty Rate
13.2%
8.99% 1-year decrease
2024 Median Household Income
$64,185
5.31% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$249,400
8.86% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
54,111
5.23% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Lakeland, FL reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

95.5% of the residents in Lakeland, FL are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Lakeland, FL are Southeastern University (1,538 degrees awarded in 2023), Florida Southern College (893 degrees), and Florida Polytechnic University (314 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Lakeland, FL was $249,400, and the homeownership rate was 56.4%.

Most people in Lakeland, FL drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 23.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Lakeland, FL was 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Green Scene Glow at Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland, Florida.
Photo by Matthew Paulson
United StatesFloridaPolk County, FLLakeland-Winter Haven, FLHillsborough County (Northeast) PUMA, FLPolk County (Northwest) PUMA, FLPolk County (Northeast) PUMA, FLPolk County (Central) PUMA, FLPolk County (North) PUMA, FL

Population & Diversity

Lakeland, FL is home to a population of 120k people, from which 95.5% are citizens. As of 2024, 10.8% of Lakeland, FL residents were born outside of the country (12.9k people).

In 2024, there were 3.07 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (65.8k people) in Lakeland, FL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 21.4k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 9.31k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.5%
2024 Citizenship
94.8%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 95.5% of Lakeland, FL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Lakeland, FL was 94.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Lakeland, FL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Lakeland, FL
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    65.8k ± 2.07k
  2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    21.4k ± 1.89k
  3. Other (Hispanic)
    9.31k ± 1.71k
20.5%
Hispanic Population
24.6k people

In 2024, there were 3.07 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (65.8k people) in Lakeland, FL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 21.4k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 9.31k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

20.5% of the people in Lakeland, FL are hispanic (24.6k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Lakeland, FL as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Florida.
Most Common Origin
  1. Cuba
    1,008,771 ± 24,085 people
  2. Haiti
    353,350 ± 14,476 people
  3. Colombia
    307,955 ± 13,528 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Florida was Cuba, the natal country of 1,008,771 Florida residents, followed by Haiti with 353,350 and Colombia with 307,955.

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Foreign-Born Population

10.8%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
12.9k people
10.6%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
12.5k people

As of 2024, 10.8% of Lakeland, FL residents (12.9k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Lakeland, FL was 10.6%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Lakeland, FL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    2,619 ± 370
  2. Gulf War (2001-)
    1,967 ± 430
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    886 ± 260

Lakeland, FL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.33 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Lakeland, FL.

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Economy

The economy of Lakeland, FL employs 54.1k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Lakeland, FL were Retail Trade (7,849 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (6,965 people), and Educational Services (5,070 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($97,981), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($63,558), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($60,653).

Employment

Occupations

54.1k
2024 Value
± 2,162
5.23%
1 Year growth
± 5.41%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Lakeland, FL grew at a rate of 5.23%, from 51.4k employees to 54.1k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Lakeland, FL, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,672 people), Sales & Related Occupations (5,427 people), and Management Occupations (4,406 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Lakeland, FL.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Florida.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Florida (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

54.1k
2024 Value
± 2,162
5.23%
1 Year growth
± 5.41%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Lakeland, FL grew at a rate of 5.23%, from 51.4k employees to 54.1k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Lakeland, FL, are Retail Trade (7,849 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (6,965 people), and Educational Services (5,070 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Lakeland, FL, though some of these residents may live in Lakeland, FL and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$47,814
Median earning men ± $2,489
$37,340
Median earning women ± $2,099

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($75,083), Manufacturing ($66,129), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($59,701).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($57,445), Public Administration ($50,949), and Wholesale Trade ($49,856).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Florida.
Y-Axis
4.23%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 9.69M people employed in Florida. This represents a 4.23% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 12.6%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Florida.

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Florida went to Donald J. Trump with 56.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (43%), followed by Jill Stein (0.396%).

Rick Scott and Ashley Moody are the senators currently representing the state of Florida. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Florida is currently represented by 26 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Voting results are not available for Lakeland, FL. Showing the available data for Florida.
2024 Election Results
  1. Donald J. Trump (56.1%)
    Republican Party
  2. Kamala Harris (43%)
    Democratic Party
  3. Jill Stein (0.396%)
    Green Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Florida went to Donald J. Trump with 56.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (43%), followed by Jill Stein (0.396%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Florida for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Florida

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Florida.
Rick Scott
Senator from Florida1
Assumed office on January 8, 2019
Inauguration delayed in order to finish his term as Governor of Florida.
Ashley Moody
Senator from Florida2
Assumed office on January 21, 2025
While elections for full class 3 terms will take place in 2028, Florida will hold a special election in 2026 to elect a senator to complete the remainder of Marco Rubio's term.

Rick Scott and Ashley Moody are the senators currently representing Florida.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Florida over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Lakeland, FL awarded 2,923 degrees. The student population of Lakeland, FL in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 6,759 male students and 8,777 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Lakeland, FL are White (1,772 and 62.8%), Hispanic or Latino (529 and 18.7%), Black or African American (334 and 11.8%), and Two or More Races (68 and 2.41%).

The largest universities in Lakeland, FL by number of degrees awarded are Southeastern University (1,538 and 52.6%), Florida Southern College (893 and 30.6%), and Florida Polytechnic University (314 and 10.7%).

The most popular majors in Lakeland, FL are Divinity & Ministry (376 and 12.9%), General Business Administration & Management (259 and 8.86%), and Organizational Leadership (169 and 5.78%).

The median tuition costs in Lakeland, FL are $35,966 for private four year colleges, and $3,152 and $3,152 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University
Measure

In 2023 in Lakeland, FL, the percentage of applicants admitted was 61.2%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 20.9%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 15,536 (43.5% men and 56.5% women).

The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 15,536 students enrolled in Lakeland, FL, 43.5% men and 56.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 8,592 records, of which 56.7% were women and 43.3% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. Divinity & Ministry
    205 degrees awarded
  2. General Business Administration & Management
    163 degrees awarded
  3. Computer Science
    142 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Lakeland, FL was Divinity & Ministry with 205 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Lakeland, FL according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. Southeastern University
    1,538 degrees awarded
  2. Florida Southern College
    893 degrees awarded
  3. Florida Polytechnic University
    314 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Southeastern University with 1,538 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 1,184 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Lakeland, FL, which is 0.681 times less than the 1,739 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,772 degrees mean that there were 3.35 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 529 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($35,966) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,788) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,425) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Lakeland, FL was $249,400 in 2024, which is 0.75 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $229,100 to $249,400, a 8.86% increase. The homeownership rate in Lakeland, FL is 56.4%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Lakeland, FL have an average commute time of 23.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Lakeland, FL is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$249,400
Median Property Value 2024
±$8,326
$26,956
Median Property Taxes
±$1,298

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Lakeland, FL the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Lakeland, FL compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

56.4%
Homeownership
2024
63.9%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 56.4% of the housing units in Lakeland, FL were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 56.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Lakeland, FL compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$64,185
Median Household Income
± $2,146
47.8k
Number of Households
± 1,825

In 2024, the median household income of the 47.8k households in Lakeland, FL grew to $64,185 from the previous year's value of $60,947.

The following chart displays the households in Lakeland, FL distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Lakeland, FL is from Florida.
0.473
2023 Wage GINI in Florida
0.474
2022 Wage GINI in Florida

In 2023, the income inequality in Florida was 0.473 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.136% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Florida was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Florida in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Florida across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (70.4%)
  2. Worked At Home (14.4%)
  3. Carpooled (8.03%)

In 2024, 70.4% of workers in Lakeland, FL drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (14.4%) and those who carpooled to work (8.03%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Commute Time

23.1 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Lakeland, FL have a shorter commute time (23.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.81% of the workforce in Lakeland, FL have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Lakeland, FL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Lakeland, FL distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Lakeland, FL have 2 cars.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

13.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Lakeland, FL (14.8k out of 112k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 45 - 54, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Lakeland, FL is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Health

89.4% of the population of Lakeland, FL has health coverage, with 38.7% on employee plans, 16% on Medicaid, 15.8% on Medicare, 16.5% on non-group plans, and 2.36% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Florida see 1,370 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,370 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1563 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 459 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.8% were men and 51.2% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.4% under 18 years, 24.3% between 18 and 34 years, 33.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 20.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.8% were men and 51.2% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

10.6%
Uninsured
38.7%
Employer Coverage
16%
Medicaid
15.8%
Medicare
16.5%
Non-Group
2.36%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Lakeland, FL declined by 6.45% from 11.3% to 10.6%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Lakeland, FL changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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