Lake City, FL

Florida

Lake City is a small city in Florida with a population of 12,404. Residents earn $51,175 per year, which is 32% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
12,404 Population 867/sq mi density
$51,175 Median Income $27,065 per capita
$178,600 Home Value $257,215 Zillow
$940 Median Rent
67°F Avg Temperature
1,378 Violent Crime/100K 7,805 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$51,175 median income, 2.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$178,600 home value, $940/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,378 violent crimes/100K (263% above avg)
B
Education
3.0 / 5.0
25.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $51,175
32% lower than US avg
Home Value $178,600
37% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 1,378/100K
263% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.4%
25% lower than US avg
Median Rent $940
19% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.8%
30% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.9%
19% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.1%
38% higher than US avg

How Lake City Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population12,404
Median Age38.2 yrs
Density867/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 59%

Economy

B
Median Income$51,175
Per Capita$27,065
Unemployment2.9%
Poverty17.1%
County GDP$3,523M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$178,600
Rent$940
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$257,215

Crime

F
Violent1,378/100K
Property7,805/100K
Murder16.5/100K
Assault965/100K
Burglary1,081/100K

Health

Obesity41.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.9%
Heart Disease6.9%

Climate

Avg Temp67°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain54.0 in/yr
Elevation194 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.4%
High School+89.0%
School Score5.58

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 25%
Commute22 min
EV Stations21
Libraries3

Is Lake City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lake City receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Lake City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lake City is $51,175, 32% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.9%. The poverty rate of 17.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lake City is $178,600, 37% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $940 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 1,378 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 7,805 per 100,000, 298% above the national average.

Education

25.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Lake City enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F. Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 54.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Lake City has a population of 12,404 with a density of 867 people per square mile. The median age is 38.2 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (58.5%), with 1.2% Hispanic, 31.8% Black.

Population

12,404
Total Population
867
People / sq mi
38.2yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
14.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.6%
Female 49.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Lake City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.8%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.2%
61% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lake City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lake City is $51,175, which is 32% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 17.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Lake City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$51,175
32% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,065
Avg Weekly Wage$986
IRS Avg AGI$58,035

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.9%
19% below US avg
Poverty Rate17.1%
38% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,818
County GDP$3,523M

Business (County)

Restaurants140
Healthcare203
Retail254
Manufacturing41

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,902
11% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.18%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.1 min
Work from Home6.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Lake City is $178,600, 37% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $940 (19% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $257,215.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$178,600
37% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$257,215
Median List Price$217,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$217,000
$/Sq Ft$197
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio95.8%
Price Drops22.6%
Inventory62

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$940
19% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,508

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,650
1 Bedroom$1,731
2 Bedrooms$1,972
3 Bedrooms$2,476
4 Bedrooms$2,924

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied39.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,902
11% above US avg
Effective Rate2.18%
In Lake City, 41.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.9% report depression. 31.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lake City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.8%
30% above US avg
Diabetes14.1%
Heart Disease6.9%
High Blood Pressure38.6%
Asthma10.9%
COPD8.2%
Stroke4.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.4%
Physical Inactivity31.6%
Depression19.9%
Mental Distress19.7%
Physical Distress15.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.3%
Checkup Rate77.0%
Premature Death12,795/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access64.6%
Healthcare Facilities203
Lake City has a violent crime rate of 1,378 per 100,000 residents, 263% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 7,805 per 100,000 (298% above US avg). The murder rate is 16.5 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Lake City vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,377.8/100K
263% above US avg
Murder16.5/100K
162% above US avg
Rape90.8/100K
Robbery305.3/100K
Assault965.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property7,804.6/100K
298% above US avg
Burglary1,080.8/100K
Theft6,492.9/100K
Vehicle Theft231.0/100K
Arson8.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Lake City has an average annual temperature of 67°F (20°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 54.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

52°F Jan (11°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average67.2°F
24% above US avg
January Average52°F (11°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall54.0 inches
42% above US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood
Good Days %90.7%
Unhealthy Days0

Geography

Elevation194 ft (59 m)
Area14.3 sq mi (37.1 km²)
Population Density867/sq mi
Coordinates30.1886°N, 82.6422°W
County FIPS12023
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 25.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (25% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 50.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74.7%
D 24.6%

Winner: Republican by 50.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+25.4%
25% below US avg
High School+89.0%
School Test Score5.58
B Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density867/sq mi
Total Area14.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations21
Alt Fuel Stations21
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities203
Restaurants140
Retail Stores254

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.1 min
Work from Home6.1%

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