Lakeland, FL Demographics

A map of Lakeland's Population by Race

Lakeland, Florida has an estimated population of 119,961, an increase from the 112,641 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 54.9% White, 20.5% Hispanic, 17.9% Black, 3.2% Multiracial, 2.5% Asian, and 1.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Lakeland, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Lakeland is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than Florida overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Lakeland, that probability was 62.6% in 2020 and 62.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Lakeland is ranked the 20th most populous place in Florida, out of 956 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Lakeland was ranked the 22nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Lakeland's White Population

65,813 residents of Lakeland, or 54.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Lakeland is slightly higher than in Florida overall, where 50.4% of the population is White. Lakeland ranks 637th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 956 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lakeland's White population has grown by an estimated 7.2%. White residents' share of Lakeland's population has remained roughly unchanged at 54.9%.

Lakeland is more White than neighboring Combee Settlement (38% White), Crystal Lake (42.6% White), and Medulla (53.6% White). Lakeland is less White than neighboring Fussels Corner (66% White), and Lakeland Highlands (76.1% White).

Lakeland's Black Population

21,447 residents of Lakeland, or 17.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Lakeland is slightly higher than in Florida overall, where 14.6% of the population is Black. Lakeland ranks 216th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 956 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lakeland's Black population has grown by an estimated 2.3%. Black residents' share of Lakeland's population has decreased from 18.6% to 17.9%.

Lakeland is more Black than neighboring Combee Settlement (15.6% Black), Fussels Corner (11.8% Black), Lakeland Highlands (2.7% Black), and Medulla (10.2% Black). Lakeland is less Black than neighboring Crystal Lake (19.3% Black).

Lakeland's Asian Population

3,046 residents of Lakeland, or 2.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Lakeland is comparable to the share in Florida overall, where 2.9% of the population is Asian. Lakeland ranks 287th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 956 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lakeland's Asian population has grown by an estimated 25.0%. Asian residents' share of Lakeland's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.5%.

Lakeland is more Asian than neighboring Combee Settlement (0% Asian), Crystal Lake (1.9% Asian), Fussels Corner (0.8% Asian), and Medulla (0.8% Asian).

Lakeland's Hispanic Population

24,562 residents of Lakeland, or 20.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Lakeland is lower than in Florida overall, where 27.4% of the population is Hispanic. Lakeland ranks 322nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 956 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lakeland's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 8.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Lakeland's population has remained roughly unchanged at 20.5%.

Lakeland is more Hispanic than neighboring Fussels Corner (19.6% Hispanic), and Lakeland Highlands (15.2% Hispanic). Lakeland is less Hispanic than neighboring Combee Settlement (42.8% Hispanic), Crystal Lake (32.9% Hispanic), and Medulla (31.1% Hispanic).

Lakeland's Native American/Other Population

1,199 residents of Lakeland, or 1.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Lakeland is comparable to the share in Florida overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Lakeland ranks 399th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 956 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lakeland's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 29.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Lakeland's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Lakeland is more Native American/Other than neighboring Combee Settlement (0% Native American/Other), Crystal Lake (0.8% Native American/Other), Fussels Corner (0.4% Native American/Other), Lakeland Highlands (0.6% Native American/Other), and Medulla (0.3% Native American/Other).

Lakeland's Multiracial Population

3,894 residents of Lakeland, or 3.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Lakeland is comparable to the share in Florida overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Lakeland ranks 449th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 956 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lakeland's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 8.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Lakeland's population has decreased from 3.8% to 3.2%.

Lakeland is more Multiracial than neighboring Crystal Lake (2.5% Multiracial), Fussels Corner (1.4% Multiracial), and Lakeland Highlands (3% Multiracial). Lakeland is less Multiracial than neighboring Combee Settlement (3.6% Multiracial), and Medulla (4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.