Lake Wales, Florida

Lake Wales, Florida
City of Lake Wales
Nickname: 
Crown Jewel of the Ridge
Location in Polk County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 27°55′10″N 81°35′46″W / 27.91944°N 81.59611°W / 27.91944; -81.59611
CountryUnited States of America
StateFlorida
CountyPolk
Settled1911
Incorporated (town)May 28, 1917
Incorporated (city)1925
Government
  TypeCommission-Manager
  MayorJack Hilligoss
  City Commissioners
Members
  • Daniel Williams
  • Keith Thompson
  • Carol Gillespie
  • Robin Gibson
Area
  Total
20.12 sq mi (52.10 km2)
  Land18.84 sq mi (48.81 km2)
  Water1.27 sq mi (3.30 km2)
Elevation
128 ft (39 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
16,361
  Density868.19/sq mi (335.22/km2)
DemonymLake Walean
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
  Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
33800-33898
Area code863
FIPS code12-38950
GNIS feature ID2404869
Websitewww.lakewalesfl.gov

Lake Wales is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 16,361 at the 2020 census.