Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Lake Wales, Florida
Median Lake Wales, Florida effective property tax rate: 1.21%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Florida state median of 1.10%.
Median Lake Wales, Florida home value: $159,816
Median annual Lake Wales, Florida tax bill: $1,536, $864 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Polk calculated?
Property taxes in Lake Wales, Florida are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Lake Wales's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Lake Wales, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.21%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,934
$1,794
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
How Does the Lake Wales Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Lake Wales property tax calculator to estimate your annual tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Lake Wales's median effective tax rate of 1.21% — based on actual property records in Polk County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Lake Wales's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Lake Wales: rates range from 1.21% in 33898 to 1.21% in 33859, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
If your estimate is higher than expected, Ownwell can appeal your Lake Wales assessment — you only pay if we save you money.
About Lake Wales Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Lake Wales, Polk, Florida
Lake Wales’s median effective property tax rate of 1.21% is higher than the Florida state median of 1.10% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Polk County base levy combined with local school district levies and Municipal Service Benefit Units (MSBUs) that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Lake Wales. Homeowners in the 33859 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.42%, while those in 33898 pay 1.13%. This spread — 0.29 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Polk County. Understanding which part of Lake Wales you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Lake Wales homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Property Appraiser before the September 12, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Lake Wales's effective property tax rate to other cities in Florida and the median property tax rates in Florida and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Lake Wales Tax Rate
1.21%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Polk County Tax Rate
1.19%
Median Effective Florida Tax Rate
1.10%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33853 | 0.32% | 0.52% | 1.15% | 1.66% | 1.99% |
| 33859 | 0.51% | 0.82% | 1.42% | 1.97% | 2.53% |
| 33898 | 0.48% | 0.70% | 1.13% | 1.49% | 1.78% |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida
When examining property taxes in Lake Wales, Florida, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Polk County property appraiser estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Polk County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of August.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. For Lake Wales, the median home price is $159,816, with tax bills ranging from $859 at the 25th percentile to $4,450 at the 90th percentile. ZIP code 33859 has the highest median home price at $186,712.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida
Source: Ownwell
$3,184
$151,934
$300,684
Median Lake Wales Market Value
$159,816
Median Polk County Market Value
$230,615
Median Florida Market Value
$310,033
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33853 | $72,413 | $122,284 | $173,211 | $222,281 | $267,207 |
| 33859 | $44,395 | $85,881 | $186,712 | $262,101 | $338,698 |
| 33898 | $49,659 | $84,994 | $144,688 | $233,632 | $336,844 |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida
Property tax bills in Lake Wales are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by Polk County and other taxing authorities. When a home’s market value rises, the assessed value can increase too, which can lead to a higher bill. For Lake Wales homeowners, the median home price is $159,816, and tax bills vary widely depending on location, exemptions, and how the property is assessed.
The 25th percentile tax bill is $859, while the 75th percentile is $2,675 and the 90th percentile is $4,450. That range shows how much property taxes can affect monthly budgets and long-term housing costs. Ownwell helps homeowners lower property tax bills by reviewing assessments, identifying savings opportunities, and filing appeals when a home is overassessed. If your property tax bill seems too high, Ownwell can help you pursue a fairer assessment and potentially save money year after year.
Median Lake Wales Tax Bill
$1,536
Median Polk County Tax Bill
$2,218
Median Florida Tax Bill
$3,263
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33853 | $433 | $799 | $1,597 | $2,687 | $3,885 |
| 33859 | $508 | $896 | $1,868 | $4,436 | $6,862 |
| 33898 | $535 | $863 | $1,448 | $2,282 | $3,602 |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to petition!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Property Valuation Date | January 1 |
| Appeal Deadline | September 12 |
| Tax Bill | |
| Issued | November 1 |
| Due Date #1 | March 31 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Polk Property Appraiser | |
| Website | www.polkpa.org |