Lake Wales ZIP Codes — Polk County, FL

There are 3 unique ZIP codes in Lake Wales, Florida. Area code: 863.

ZIP codes

351.04

sq mi land

50.11

sq mi water

863

area code

Lake Wales, FL ZIP code map

About Lake Wales, FL

Lake Wales, Florida, is a charming city located in the heart of Polk County. Known for its picturesque landscapes and historical landmarks, it offers a unique blend of small-town charm and natural beauty. The city is home to a close-knit community that enjoys a relaxed lifestyle amid scenic surroundings.

Location & geography

Lake Wales is situated in central Florida, approximately 46 miles southwest of Orlando and around 22 miles northeast of the city of Winter Haven. The city features a diverse terrain, with a land area covering 351.04 square miles and 50.11 square miles of water. Nearby cities include Bartow, located about 24 miles to the west, and Haines City, about 15 miles to the south.

Community & economy

The character of Lake Wales is defined by its friendly residents and vibrant community activities. The city has a diverse economy, with industries ranging from agriculture to tourism, attracting visitors interested in nature and culture. Daily life in Lake Wales revolves around community events, outdoor activities, and a commitment to preserving its historical heritage.

Transportation

Major highways such as U.S. Route 27 and State Road 60 facilitate easy access to and from Lake Wales. The nearest major airport is Orlando International Airport, approximately 50 miles away, providing connectivity for both leisure and business travelers. Local transit options are available for residents and visitors to navigate the area.

History

Lake Wales was founded in the late 19th century and has since developed into a bustling city center in Polk County. Key industries during its growth included agriculture, particularly citrus production, which has historically shaped the local economy. Notable events in the city's past include its transformation into a tourist destination with attractions like Bok Tower Gardens, which continues to draw visitors today.

Did you know?

Lake Wales is home to the breathtaking Bok Tower Gardens, a National Historic Landmark that features a stunning carillon tower and lush gardens. Additionally, the city is known for one of Florida's highest points, with the Lake Wales Ridge offering spectacular views of the surrounding area.

ZIP codes for Lake Wales, FL (3)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
33853	Lake Wales	Polk	View map
33859	Lake Wales	Polk	View map
33898	Lake Wales	Polk	View map

Demographics & statistics

40,388

Population

47.1

Median age

$52,508

Median household income

$26,485

Per capita income

$168,600

Median home value

$1,049

Median monthly rent

71.5%

Home ownership

18.1%

Poverty rate

5.2%

Unemployment

16,840

Housing units

19.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

976

Under 5

1,000

1,296

5–9

1,328

1,224

10–14

1,254

1,103

15–19

1,130

931

20–24

953

2,125

25–34

2,176

2,130

35–44

2,181

2,004

45–54

2,052

1,540

55–59

1,578

1,312

60–64

1,344

3,024

65–74

3,098

1,780

75–84

1,824

506

85+

519

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	8,268	20.3%
18 and over	32,120	79.7%
65 and over	10,751	26.4%
Median age	47.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 62.5%

Hispanic or Latino 12.5%

Black or African American 10.3%

Two or more races 9.7%

Other race 4.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	28,838	62.5%
Hispanic or Latino	5,747	12.5%
Black or African American	4,757	10.3%
Two or more races	4,489	9.7%
Other race	2,132	4.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	115	0.2%
Asian	48	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 6.4%

$10k–$15k 7.1%

$15k–$25k 10.4%

$25k–$35k 11.1%

$35k–$50k 12.5%

$50k–$75k 20.4%

$75k–$100k 14.8%

$100k–$150k 11.6%

$150k–$200k 3.6%

$200k+ 2.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.4%
$10k–$15k	7.1%
$15k–$25k	10.4%
$25k–$35k	11.1%
$35k–$50k	12.5%
$50k–$75k	20.4%
$75k–$100k	14.8%
$100k–$150k	11.6%
$150k–$200k	3.6%
$200k+	2.1%
Median income	$52,508

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 14.6%

$50k–$100k 15.2%

$100k–$150k 13.4%

$150k–$200k 16.5%

$200k–$300k 23.9%

$300k–$500k 11.1%

$500k–$1M 4.6%

$1M+ 0.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$168,600
Median rent / month	$1,049
Owner occupied	71.5%
Renter occupied	28.5%
Vacant	22.9%
Single-family detached	58.8%
Large apartment buildings	2.3%
Mobile homes	23.7%
Median rooms	5.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.45

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.4%
2010–2019	6.5%
2000–2009	20.1%
1990–1999	15.1%
1980–1989	17.7%
1970–1979	17.8%
1960–1969	7.8%
1950–1959	7.2%
1940–1949	2.9%
1939 or earlier	4.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.0%
1 bedroom	9.4%
2 bedrooms	39.7%
3 bedrooms	39.1%
4 bedrooms	9.8%
5+ bedrooms	1.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.1%
1 vehicle	43.5%
2 vehicles	35.4%
3 or more	15.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.2%
Electricity	93.9%
Propane / LP gas	0.8%
Fuel oil	0.2%
Wood	0.3%
Solar	0.3%
No fuel used	2.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	7,401	46.1%
Cohabiting couple	1,216	7.9%
Male householder, no spouse	3,004	17.9%
Female householder, no spouse	4,423	28.2%
Households with children under 18	3,992	25.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	7,490	45.9%
Average household size	2.46

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	31.8%	26.4%
Married	49.6%	44.9%
Separated	2.2%	3.3%
Widowed	4.2%	11.3%
Divorced	12.2%	14.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.5%

Some HS, no diploma 9.6%

HS graduate 34.6%

Some college, no degree 22.3%

Associate's degree 8.4%

Bachelor's degree 13.4%

Graduate / professional 6.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	84.9%
Bachelor's or higher	19.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	328	3.8%
Kindergarten	532	6.9%
Elementary school	3,847	45.9%
High school	1,837	20.8%
College / grad school	1,716	22.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 20.0%

Retail trade 12.6%

Construction 11.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 11.7%

Professional & management 9.4%

Transportation & utilities 8.5%

Manufacturing 7.7%

Other services 5.5%

Finance & real estate 4.6%

Public administration 4.0%

Agriculture & mining 2.4%

Wholesale trade 1.0%

Information 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	26.8%
Service	19.9%
Sales & office	22.7%
Natural resources & construction	13.2%
Production & transportation	17.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	82.7%
Government	11.6%
Self-employed	5.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.5%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	81.0%
Carpool	11.0%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.2%
Other means	1.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	28.8

Poverty

All people 18.1%

Under 18 years 27.3%

18 and over 16.2%

Married-couple families 10.9%

Female-led households 20.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	49.8%
Retirement income	30.9%
Supplemental Security	7.1%
Cash public assistance	2.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	16.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	42.8%
High cholesterol	39.2%
Heart disease	10.1%
Stroke	5.3%
Asthma	9.6%
Arthritis	32.4%
Kidney disease	4.4%
Pulmonary disease	12.3%
Cancer	8.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	12.5%
No physical activity	31.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.7%
Fair or poor health	23.4%
Poor mental health	15.8%
Poor physical health	15.7%
No health insurance	24.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.2%
Visited dentist	50.3%
Cholesterol screening	90.5%
Teeth loss	20.4%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	3,394	10.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	17.5%
Under 18	6.8%
18–64 years	14.8%
65 and over	33.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	52.6%
Public insurance	53.0%
Uninsured under 19	4.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	38,412	95.1%
Spanish	3,628	9.5%
Other Indo-European	3,387	9.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	164	0.4%
Other languages	41	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	36,538	90.4%
Born in same state	34,844	86.2%
Born in different state	17,013	42.0%
Foreign born	1,694	4.2%
Naturalized citizen	3,850	9.6%
Not a US citizen	1,499	38.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	4,136	10.2%
Italian	3,420	8.5%
Arab	3,387	8.4%
English	373	0.9%
Polish	310	0.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	188	0.5%
Irish	118	0.3%
Dutch	72	0.2%
Norwegian	43	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.7%
Internet access	93.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Lake Wales, FL have?

Lake Wales, FL has 3 ZIP codes: 33853, 33859, and 33898. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.