# Lake Hamilton, Florida

Lake Hamilton is a town in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,537 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The town is named after the lake itself: Lake Hamilton, which is one of the many lakes in the Chain of Lakes. Also, Middle Lake Hamilton and Little Lake Hamilton are located nearby.
From 1964 through the 1970s, Hurricane Aircats, military airboats used by the US Army in Vietnam, were manufactured in Lake Hamilton. The airboats were made by Hurricane Fiberglass Products Company, an airboat and fiberglass manufacturer based in the neighboring town of Auburndale.

## Geography

The approximate coordinates for the Town of Lake Hamilton is located in Central Florida at 28°2′48″N 81°37′20″W﻿ / ﻿28.04667°N 81.62222°W﻿ / 28.04667; -81.62222.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.9 square miles (10 km$^2$), of which 3.0 square miles (7.8 km$^2$) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km$^2$) (22.51%) is water.
The dominant geographic feature in the city is the large lake after which the city is named. Lake Hamilton is part of the Chain of Lakes. The lake has a surface area of 2,184 acres (8,840,000 m$^2$) and an average depth of 7.2 feet (2.2 m).

## Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the Town of Pierson has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

## Demographics
### 2010 and 2020 census

Lake Hamilton racial composition (Hispanics excluded from racial categories) (NH = Non-Hispanic) :
| Race | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
| White (NH) | 730 | 659 | 59.30% | 42.88% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 296 | 258 | 24.05% | 16.79% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 3 | 7 | 0.24% | 0.46% |
| Asian (NH) | 10 | 18 | 0.81% | 1.17% |
| Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Some other race (NH) | 6 | 40 | 0.49% | 2.60% |
| Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) | 21 | 52 | 1.71% | 3.38% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 165 | 503 | 13.40% | 32.73% |
| Total | 1,231 | 1,537 | | |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,537 people, 444 households, and 348 families residing in the town.
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 1,231 people, 474 households, and 284 families residing in the town.

### 2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 1,304 people, 482 households, and 362 families in the town. The population density was 430.0 inhabitants per square mile (166.0/km$^2$). There were 535 housing units at an average density of 176.4 per square mile (68.1/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the town was 71.09% White, 25.15% African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 2.30% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.06%.
Of the 482 households in 2000, 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 21.0% of households were one person and 8.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.09.
The age distribution in 2000 was 27.1% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.
In 2000, the median household income was $33,438 and the median family income was $38,050. Males had a median income of $28,281 versus $21,833 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,199. About 13.3% of families and 21.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.5% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

## Transportation

* State Road 17 – The Scenic Highway going through the center of town, paralleling US 27 and leading southward to downtown Dundee and Lake Wales
* US 27 – Located just west of town, this divided highway leads to Lake Wales and Haines City.