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Lake Wales is a city in Polk County, Florida, located in the heart of the state's peninsula and part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven metropolitan area. The 2020 census counted 16,361 residents. Its defining geographic feature is the Lake Wales Ridge, an ancient sand ridge that runs through central Florida and includes some of the highest elevations in the peninsula, giving the area a gently rolling, oak-and-scrub landscape that sets it apart from the state's flatter coastal terrain. The city is best known as the home of Bok Tower Gardens, a 250-acre sanctuary created in the 1920s by publisher and philanthropist Edward Bok, working with landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. Its centerpiece, the Singing Tower, houses a 60-bell carillon and stands as one of central Florida's earliest and most enduring attractions. The gardens draw visitors from across the country and are a point of deep local pride. Lake Wales' historic downtown reflects its early twentieth-century growth, with 1920s architecture and a revitalization effort aimed at preserving the district while adding urban-style housing and new businesses. Housing across the city spans historic in-town homes, lakefront properties, newer subdivisions, and the Lake Ashton 55-plus community, giving buyers a broad range of options. Education is provided by Polk County Public Schools, with campuses in the city including Hillcrest Elementary, Janie Howard Wilson School, and Lake Wales Senior High School. Transportation centers on US Highway 27 and State Road 60, which connect Lake Wales to the region's highway network between Orlando and Tampa. For recreation, residents enjoy Bok Tower Gardens, the trails and scrub habitat of the ridge, lakeside parks, and the city's trailway, making Lake Wales a distinctive small-city choice in central Florida.

Population 16,361

County Polk County

Active Listings 858

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Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Lake Wales in?

Lake Wales is located in Polk County, Florida, in the central part of the state. It is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven metropolitan area and sits on the Lake Wales Ridge between Orlando and Tampa.

What school district serves Lake Wales?

Public schools in Lake Wales are served by Polk County Public Schools, which operates schools in the city including Hillcrest Elementary, Janie Howard Wilson School, and Lake Wales Senior High School.

What is Bok Tower Gardens?

Bok Tower Gardens is a 250-acre garden sanctuary created by publisher Edward Bok in the 1920s, working with landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. Its centerpiece is the Singing Tower with a 60-bell carillon, and it is one of central Florida's earliest attractions.

What is the Lake Wales Ridge?

The Lake Wales Ridge is an ancient sand ridge that runs through central Florida and ranks among the highest elevations in the peninsula. It supports a distinctive scrub habitat and is home to rare plant and animal species.

Where is Lake Wales located?

Lake Wales sits in central Florida, roughly midway between Orlando and Tampa, with access via US Highway 27 and State Road 60. Its position on the Lake Wales Ridge gives the area a gently rolling landscape uncommon in Florida.

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