Lakeland, GA

Georgia · Metropolitan Area

Lakeland is a small town in Georgia with a population of 2,943. Residents earn $29,520 per year, which is 61% below the national average.

2.3 /5.0
C Fair
2,943 Population 949/sq mi density
$29,520 Median Income $15,302 per capita
$145,900 Home Value $177,152 Zillow
$859 Median Rent
65°F Avg Temperature
528 Violent Crime/100K 2,348 property/100K
C
Overall
2.3 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.4 / 5.0
$29,520 median income, 0.0% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.9 / 5.0
$145,900 home value, $859/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
528 violent crimes/100K (39% above avg)
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
10.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $29,520
61% lower than US avg
Home Value $145,900
48% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 528/100K
39% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.8%
68% lower than US avg
Median Rent $859
26% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 45.3%
41% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 40.1%
223% higher than US avg

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

People

Population2,943
Median Age37.9 yrs
Density949/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 51%

Economy

C
Median Income$29,520
Per Capita$15,302
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty40.1%
County GDP$194M
Commute17 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$145,900
Rent$859
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$177,152

Crime

F
Violent528/100K
Property2,348/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault352/100K
Burglary910/100K

Health

Obesity45.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.1%
Heart Disease8.0%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI44 (Good)
Rain48.2 in/yr
Elevation197 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.8%
High School+89.4%
School Score4.92

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 27%
Commute17 min
EV Stations2
Libraries1

Is Lakeland a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lakeland receives an overall livability score of 2.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Lakeland has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lakeland is $29,520, 61% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 40.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lakeland is $145,900, 48% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $859 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 528 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,348 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

10.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Lakeland enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Lakeland has a population of 2,943 with a density of 949 people per square mile. The median age is 37.9 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (50.7%), with 48.7% Black.

Population

2,943
Total Population
949
People / sq mi
37.9yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
3.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52%
Female 48%

Race & Ethnicity

Lakeland vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.5%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.5%
74% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lakeland vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lakeland is $29,520, which is 61% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 40.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Lakeland vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$29,520
61% below US avg
Per Capita Income$15,302
Avg Weekly Wage$858
IRS Avg AGI$46,454

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate40.1%
223% above US avg
Establishments (County)127
County GDP$194M

Business (County)

Restaurants10
Healthcare14
Retail23
Manufacturing6

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,492
29% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.71%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.7 min
Work from Home15.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Lakeland is $145,900, 48% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $859 (26% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $177,152.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$145,900
48% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$177,152
Median List Price$214,400

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$214,400
$/Sq Ft$132
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio97.2%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory16

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$859
26% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$979
1 Bedroom$1,023
2 Bedrooms$1,203
3 Bedrooms$1,524
4 Bedrooms$1,775

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied43.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,492
29% below US avg
Effective Rate1.71%
In Lakeland, 45.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.1% report depression. 38.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lakeland vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity45.3%
41% above US avg
Diabetes17.7%
Heart Disease8.0%
High Blood Pressure44.4%
Asthma11.7%
COPD10.8%
Stroke5.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.5%
Physical Inactivity38.5%
Depression22.1%
Mental Distress21.9%
Physical Distress18.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate81.2%
Checkup Rate77.4%
Premature Death9,926/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.9/10
Exercise Access45.3%
Healthcare Facilities14
Lakeland has a violent crime rate of 528 per 100,000 residents, 39% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,348 per 100,000 (20% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent528.3/100K
39% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape88.1/100K
Robbery88.1/100K
Assault352.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,348.1/100K
20% above US avg
Burglary909.9/100K
Theft1,174.1/100K
Vehicle Theft264.2/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Lakeland has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average64.9°F
20% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.2 inches
27% above US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median44.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation197 ft (60 m)
Area3.1 sq mi (8.0 km²)
Population Density949/sq mi
Coordinates31.0408°N, 83.0747°W
County FIPS13173
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 10.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (68% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 46.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73%
D 26.6%

Winner: Republican by 46.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.8%
68% below US avg
High School+89.4%
School Test Score4.92
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density949/sq mi
Total Area3.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities14
Restaurants10
Retail Stores23

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.7 min
Work from Home15.0%

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