Sign In Register

Lake Wales, FL

Full City Profile · Florida · Polk County County

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
16,365 Population 806/sq mi density
$55,799 Median Income $27,794 per capita
$225,900 Home Value $245,696 Zillow
$1,060 Median Rent 43.5% income on rent
74°F Avg Temperature 330 sunny days/yr
325 Violent Crime/100K 2,118 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$55,799 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$225,900 home value, $1,060/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
325 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Lake Wales has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F (23°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 330 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 52.8 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

62°F Jan (17°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average73.9°F
37% above US avg
January Average62°F (17°C)
July Average83°F (28°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation133 ft (41 m)
Area20.3 sq mi (52.6 km²)
Population Density806/sq mi
Coordinates27.9207°N, 81.5995°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyPolk County County
Nearest AirportWinter Haven Regional (GIF)
14 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 52.8"
39% above US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jul) 7.68"
Driest Month (Apr) 1.77"

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)0.0411 ppm
SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide)1.03 ppb
PM2.5 (Fine Particles)6.6 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score96.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability49.8 / 100
Community Resilience27.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively High
Hurricane Very High
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Relatively High
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Very High
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather No Rating
Lightning Very High
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Hurricane History

22 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 5. Most recent: Milton (2024, Cat 4).

Year Name Category Closest
2024 Milton Category 4 36 km
2024 Helene Category 4 278 km
2024 Debby Category 1 249 km
2023 Idalia Category 4 277 km
2022 Ian Category 5 51 km
2022 Nicole Category 1 133 km
2021 Elsa Category 1 216 km
2019 Dorian Category 3 254 km
2017 Irma Category 3 55 km
2016 Matthew Category 4 162 km
2005 Wilma Category 3 197 km
2005 Ophelia Category 1 238 km
2005 Katrina Category 1 259 km
2004 Charley Category 4 20 km
2004 Jeanne Category 3 25 km
2004 Frances Category 2 53 km
2000 Gordon Category 1 216 km
1999 Floyd Category 3 297 km
1999 Irene Category 1 148 km
1995 Erin Category 1 121 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980–2026)

Tornado History

694 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF3. Total: 50 fatalities, 699 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Feb 22, 1998 EF3 63 km 3
Feb 22, 1998 EF3 36 km 25
Feb 22, 1998 EF3 90 km 13
Mar 19, 1981 EF3 67 km 0
Oct 9, 2024 EF2 84 km 0
Oct 9, 2024 EF2 73 km 0
Oct 18, 2019 EF2 45 km 0
Sep 10, 2017 EF2 38 km 0
Apr 6, 2017 EF2 85 km 0
Jan 17, 2016 EF2 74 km 2
Jun 24, 2012 EF2 9 km 0
Dec 25, 2006 EF2 84 km 0
Mar 9, 1998 EF2 14 km 0
Dec 27, 1997 EF2 18 km 0
Dec 7, 1996 EF2 70 km 1
Mar 12, 1993 EF2 86 km 1
Apr 15, 1987 EF2 98 km 1
Apr 15, 1987 EF2 92 km 0
Feb 8, 1986 EF2 23 km 0
Dec 12, 1983 EF2 82 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: STAGECOACH COMPLEX (14,079 ac, 2001).

Year Name Acres Distance
2001 STAGECOACH COMPLEX 14,079 39 km
2021 KISSIMMEE BEND NORTH 13,782 62 km
2006 UNNAMED 12,050 48 km
1992 UNNAMED 11,488 61 km
2008 UNNAMED 11,294 90 km
1996 UNNAMED 9,427 65 km
1993 UNNAMED 9,422 98 km
2024 APQ RECREATION AREA RX 0506 8,901 63 km
1998 UNNAMED 8,794 38 km
2017 ECHO SPRINGS 8,640 51 km
1984 UNNAMED 7,765 57 km
2004 UNNAMED 7,670 38 km
2021 AREA 11 7,140 50 km
2017 NORTH CANE 7,024 99 km
1989 UNNAMED 6,985 84 km
2011 UNNAMED 6,616 70 km
2008 SAN FILIPPO 6,376 99 km
1994 UNNAMED 6,243 61 km
1993 UNNAMED 6,236 84 km
1992 UNNAMED 6,228 54 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 62°F (17°C) 2.2 in Coldest
February 63°F (17°C) 3.0 in
March 67°F (20°C) 3.2 in
April 71°F (22°C) 1.8 in Driest
May 77°F (25°C) 4.1 in
June 81°F (27°C) 7.5 in
July 83°F (28°C) 7.7 in Warmest, Wettest
August 82°F (28°C) 7.1 in
September 81°F (27°C) 6.0 in
October 75°F (24°C) 2.5 in
November 68°F (20°C) 2.1 in
December 63°F (17°C) 2.0 in

Lake Wales has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 62°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (7.7") and April the driest (1.8").

View full weather details →