Panda Plaza
For lease901 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, FL 32065
Lakeside, FL
Lakeside is a 15.7-square-mile unincorporated community and census-designated place in northeastern Clay County, Florida. Part of the greater Orange Park area and the Jacksonville metropolitan region, it combines established suburban neighborhoods with scenic water along Doctors Lake, an inlet of the St. Johns River. Lakeside is known for its convenient metropolitan setting, family-oriented residential character, and unusual scientific history: the former Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center once operated here and pioneered non-human-primate research in the United States.
Recreational Delights
Water is central to Lakeside’s recreational identity. Doctors Lake, bordering the community to the southeast, supports boating, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and wildlife viewing, while nearby access to the St. Johns River expands opportunities for water-based outings. Residents can also enjoy neighborhood parks, open spaces, walking, jogging, and youth recreation throughout the Orange Park area. The community’s location provides easy access to regional parks and nature areas across Clay County and the Jacksonville metro area. Foxwood Center adds a connection to local history, preserving several buildings associated with the former Yerkes laboratory. Although Lakeside is inland, Atlantic beaches near Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Beaches are within practical driving distance for swimming, surfing, beachcombing, and shoreline recreation.
Culinary Scene
Lakeside’s dining scene is closely connected to neighboring Orange Park and the wider Jacksonville region, offering the mix of American comfort food, Southern cooking, seafood, barbecue, burgers, international cuisine, and casual family restaurants typical of northeast Florida suburbs. Commercial corridors around Orange Park provide the greatest concentration of restaurants, cafés, takeout spots, and everyday dining. Regional Jacksonville adds broader choices, including food halls, craft breweries, specialty coffee, contemporary Southern restaurants, and diverse international communities. The area also has a small but notable interest in natural and health-conscious foods: The Granary, located in a former Yerkes caretaker’s house, operates as an organic food and health store. Nearby farmers markets and locally focused vendors complement the conventional suburban restaurant landscape.
Demographics
- Lakeside has 32,105 residents in the supplied estimate; the 2020 census counted 31,275, reflecting modest growth from 30,943 in 2010.
- The median age is 39.5, close to the U.S. median of 38.9. The 2020 census recorded 21.4% under 18 and 19.1% age 65 or older.
- Median household income is $81,684, slightly above the U.S. median of $80,734. In 2020, Lakeside had 11,882 households and 12,633 housing units.
Population
32,105
Growth 1.77%
Households
12,078
Growth 2.67%
Median Age
39.5
US Median Age 38.9
Median Household Income
$81,684
US Median Household Income $80,734
Education
St. Johns River State College – Orange Park Campus
Orange Park High School
Oakleaf High School
Lakeside Junior High School
Entertainment
Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Museum of Science and History (MOSH)
VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
Quality of Life
Lakeside offers a suburban quality of life shaped by waterfront access, established neighborhoods, nearby schools and healthcare, and proximity to Orange Park and Jacksonville. Household income is slightly above the national median, while the community’s urban setting provides convenient services. Its main lifestyle advantages are family-oriented housing, outdoor recreation, and metropolitan access without living in Jacksonville’s urban core.
2022 Population by age
6%
0-4 Years
17%
5-19 Years
6%
20-24 Years
28%
25-44 Years
24%
45-64 Years
18%
65+ Years
Employers
7%
Unemployment rate
Employment sectors
Retail Trade
18.29%
Health Care and Social Assistance
14.07%
Finance and Insurance
8.96%
Accommodation and Food Services
8.67%
Transportation and Warehousing
8.35%
Educational Services
7.66%
Construction
7.3%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
6.57%
Manufacturing
4.47%
Public Administration
4.01%
Administrative and Support and Waste Management Services
3.13%
Wholesale Trade
3.08%
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
2.03%
Other
3.41%