| City: | Nalcrest, Florida |
| City Alias: | Lake Wales |
| County: | Polk County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:39:09 PM |
| Population: | 488 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 863 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 27.9012, -81.5861 |
| Land Area: | 0.11 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Nalcrest is a retirement community built by and for retired letter carriers. The name itself tells the story: NALCREST stands for National Association of Letter Carriers Retirement, Education, Security, and Training. Located in rural Polk County, Florida, this compact 0.13 square mile community houses 488 residents with a median age of 68.5 years.
The community operates quite differently from a typical town. With 351 occupied housing units and 431 PO Boxes, the post office maintains more boxes than there are households. This 1.23x adoption rate makes sense when you consider that residents are retired mail carriers who understand postal operations better than most Americans. Some maintain extra boxes for different purposes, and the post office also serves nearby Lake Wales residents.
Renting dominates here. Of 351 occupied units, 315 are rentals (90%) and only 36 are owner-occupied. Median rent runs $619 per month. The community operates as an affordable retirement option for postal workers who spent careers delivering mail and now rely on PO Boxes themselves. Mail arrives via two rural carrier routes along Nalcrest Road, the community's main thoroughfare.
Seasonal patterns affect occupancy. Of 505 total housing units, 118 sit vacant for seasonal or recreational use, representing 23% of the housing stock. Some retirees split time between Florida and northern homes. The local post office, designated as a Community Post Office (facility code C), handles all mail for this self-contained retirement enclave where everyone once wore the blue uniform.
Street names reflect the community's purpose: Nalcrest Road handles nearly all delivery, with Leisure Lane suggesting the relaxed retirement lifestyle.
ZIP Code 33856 has 488 residents and 351 households (average 1.39 persons per household). The median age is 68.5 years, significantly older than the state (43.0) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 52.7% male and 47.3% female, which is higher than the state male share (48.6%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (90.2%, much higher than the state average of 57.7% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Black or African American (5.3%, much lower than the state average of 15.1% and well below the national average of 12.4%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 3.7%, which is much lower than the state average (26.5%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 488Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 394Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 4,436.4 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $37,622Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 351Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $666,666,666Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 1.39Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.16Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 399 | 351 | 465 | 501 | 511 | 449 | 450 | 330 | 270 | 299 | 297 | 297 | 319 | 394 |
| Decennial Census | 487 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 488 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 68.5
Male Median Age: 68.5
Female Median Age: 68.6
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 45 | 75 | 46 | 45 | 4 | 16 |
| Female | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 35 | 76 | 29 | 40 | 25 | 8 |
| Total | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 23 | 80 | 151 | 75 | 85 | 29 | 24 |
| White: | 440 | 88.35% |
| Black: | 26 | 5.22% |
| Hispanic:* | 18 | 3.61% |
| Asian: | 4 | 0.80% |
| American Indian: | 1 | 0.20% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 9 | 1.81% |
| Total: | 498 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 257 | 52.66% | 68.5 years |
| Females: | 231 | 47.34% | 68.6 years |
| Total: | 488 | 100% | 68.5 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 372 | 94.42% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 22 | 5.58% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 5.58% |
| Total Population: | 394 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 372 | 94.42% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 22 | 5.58% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $37,622, which is well under the national median ($80,734), is up $7,092 (23.2%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $9,636. Family households earn a median of $41,875 versus $29,802 for nonfamily households (a difference of $12,073). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $0, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $0 that has stayed about the same from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 18.3%, which is far less than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 0.0%, which is considerably lower than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Service (87.5%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $30,530 | $31,932 | $24,904 | $29,276 | $29,514 | $26,948 | $24,617 | $31,094 | $27,986 | $24,443 | $24,538 | $30,208 | $38,226 | $37,622 |
| Median Family Income | $31,691 | $38,466 | $29,375 | $29,539 | $22,438 | $23,690 | $23,438 | $30,625 | $30,781 | $34,013 | $35,045 | $39,483 | $48,750 | $41,875 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $19,946 | $24,338 | $22,386 | $27,321 | $31,292 | $30,129 | $30,043 | $32,639 | $27,639 | $23,666 | $23,423 | $25,890 | $26,742 | $29,802 |
| Median Male Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 72 | 18.27% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 322 | 81.73% |
| Total: | 394 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Service: | 63 | 87.50% |
| Sales and Office: | 9 | 12.50% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 72 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $0, which is much lower than the national median ($332,700), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. The median gross rent is $656, which is considerably lower than the national median ($1,413), is up $179 (37.53%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $115. Of occupied housing, owners make up 2.13% (0.00% with a mortgage, 100.00% free-and-clear) and renters 97.87% - making this ZIP Code higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 44.60%, which is considerably higher than the national rate (10.12%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Less than $500: | 29 | 10.51% |
| $500 to $999: | 247 | 89.49% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 276 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $477 | $494 | $499 | $512 | $517 | $516 | $520 | $537 | $541 | $533 | $568 | $609 | $619 | $656 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 0 | 0.00% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 6 | 2.13% |
| Renter Occupied: | 276 | 97.87% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 282 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 282 | 55.40% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 227 | 44.60% |
| Total Housing Units: | 509 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 48 | 9.43% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 438 | 86.05% |
| Other Units: | 23 | 4.52% |
| Total Housing Units: | 509 | 100% |
In 2024, 9.40% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 91.90%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). Private coverage is 86.00%, which is well above the national rate (67.10%). Public coverage is 85.00%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.70%). The share of people in poverty is 7.90%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), down 4.90 percentage points since 2011. This points to a pronounced improvement in local conditions - rising incomes, firmer consumer demand, and a stronger tax base. Insufficient data for school enrollment.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 32 | 8.12% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 149 | 37.82% |
| Some college, no degree: | 119 | 30.20% |
| Associate's degree: | 57 | 14.47% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 10 | 2.54% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 27 | 6.85% |
| Total: | 394 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 362 | 91.88% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 37 | 9.39% |
| Private Insurance: | 339 | 50.30% |
| Public Insurance: | 335 | 49.70% |
| No Insurance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 674 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 674 | 100.00% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 4.9% | 6.2% | 21.0% | 20.2% | 19.5% | 18.5% | 23.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 7.9% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 0 | 0% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 0 | 0% |
ZIP Code 33856 is designated for PO Box delivery only; business establishment and employment data are not available.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 453Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 0Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $0Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $0Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 0Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 33856 is located in Polk County, Florida, within the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 29460) and Florida's 18th Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 602,095 people, about 0.08% of whom live in ZIP Code 33856. It covers 0.11 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.022 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FLSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 29460Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 602,095Source: Census |
| MSA: | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 0.11 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.022 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 18Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 1512.55 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | --Source: Census |
| Place Name: | --Source: Census |
We could not locate which school district 33856 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on February 1, 2026.