City profile · Florida · Census ACS 2023

Lake City, FL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Lake City - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

12,404
Residents
$51,175
Median income
$178,600
Median home
$1,318
Median rent (state)

Lake City - the verdict

Nationally, Lake City sits in the 21st percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

21st
percentile, household income
36th
percentile, home value
47th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Lake City, FL

Lake City is a small town in Florida, home to 12,404 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Lake City households earn a median of $51,175 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 17.1%. Lake City's housing stock carries a median value of $178,600, and the median resident age is 38.2 years. 25.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 52.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 27 residential building permits were authorized in Lake City (Building Boom), up 1250% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 67.2°F with 54.0 inches of precipitation per year.

Florida carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 103.4 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,318 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Florida's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 69.7 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

12,404 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Florida

Median Household Income

$51,175 /yr

Poverty 17.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.4 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Florida average

How does Lake City compare to other US cities?

Where Lake City sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 21% higher than other cities
Home value 36% pricier than other cities
Median rent 47% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Lake City's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Florida, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

21stIncome percentile

21st percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Lake City's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$178,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 64% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Lake City $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Lake City, FL Lake City, FL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Lake City, FL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Lake City, FL median $51,175/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Lake City, FL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Lake City, FL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 25.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 52.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
12,404
Median Income
$51,175
Median Home Value
$178,600
Median Age
38.2
Poverty Rate
17.1%
Labor force participation
52.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
25.4%

Climate

Avg Temperature
67.2°F
Annual Precipitation
54.0"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"

Schools

Total Schools
15
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
12,200 residents12,400 residents12,600 residents12,800 residents13,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 12,354 residents 12,788 residents ▲ +3.5%
Lake City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
27
housing units authorized
Single-Family
23
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 2
2020 10
2021 17
2022 0
2023 6
2024 27

Permit volume increased 1250% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
75.3%
Carpool
15.9%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.5%
Work from Home
6.1%
Other
2.2%

Based on 5,101 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Florida - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$145
avg/month
Natural Gas
$25
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Florida state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Florida state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Lake City sits in

Cost of Living Index
103.4
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,318/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
69.7 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Florida

Jensen Beach
12,456 people
Doctor Phillips
12,458 people
Goldenrod
12,603 people
Sarasota Springs
12,669 people
Highland
12,732 people
Key Largo
12,069 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Lake City's 12,404 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Myrtle Grove, NC
12,404 people
Borger, TX
12,398 people
Fortuna, CA
12,413 people
Sylacauga, AL
12,388 people
Overlea, MD
12,430 people
Conneaut, OH
12,378 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Lake City's $51,175 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Killian, LA
$51,166 median income
Tomah, WI
$51,185 median income
Angier, NC
$51,162 median income
Holgate, OH
$51,188 median income
Seagraves, TX
$51,189 median income
Clearfield, PA
$51,190 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Lake City, FL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Lake City, FL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 58.5% 31.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.0% White 58.5% Black or African American 31.8% Asian 1.2% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.8% Two or more races 5.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Lake City compares to nearby Florida cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Lake City (this city) 12,404 $51,175
Jensen Beach 12,456 $63,397
Doctor Phillips 12,458 $101,540
Goldenrod 12,603 $62,410
Census ACS 5-year FIPS FL NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Lake City, FL?

What is the population of Lake City, FL? +

12,404 people live in Lake City, FL according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Lake City, FL? +

Lake City households earn a median of $51,175 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Lake City? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Lake City; the closest available measure is the Florida state average, a cost of living index of 103.4 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Florida vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Lake City, FL? +

Lake City's median home value sits at $178,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Lake City? +

Climate normals put Lake City's yearly average temperature at 67.2°F, 54.0 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.