Clearwater, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clearwater, Florida had a total population of 117,247, the 22nd largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $66,381, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.8%.
Clearwater Quick Facts
How Clearwater Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,159 | 117,247 | +1.8% |
| Median household income | $59,924 | $66,381 | +10.8% |
| Median home value¹ | $253,895 | $361,300 | +42.3% |
| Median gross rent | $1,344 | $1,658 | +23.4% |
How Clearwater Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 65.1%
- Black: 10.5%
- Hispanic: 17.1%
- Asian: 2.8%
- Other: 0.8%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 9.1%
- HS Diploma: 30.1%
- Some College: 19.2%
- Associate's: 9.0%
- Bachelor's: 20.2%
- Graduate+: 12.3%
Clearwater Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Pinellas County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Petersburg | 262,732 | $75,192 | 12.4% | $371,100 |
| Largo | 82,617 | $62,096 | 13.1% | $229,100 |
| Palm Harbor | 61,512 | $78,935 | 10.3% | $405,300 |
| Pinellas Park | 53,560 | $63,432 | 12.9% | $278,900 |
| Dunedin | 36,062 | $74,477 | 8.2% | $396,000 |
| East Lake | 33,283 | $99,333 | 6.2% | $488,000 |
| Tarpon Springs | 25,791 | $79,529 | 10.0% | $340,700 |
| Lealman | 20,567 | $45,308 | 15.6% | $196,400 |
| Seminole | 19,396 | $75,774 | 9.4% | $348,500 |
| Safety Harbor | 17,033 | $106,830 | 6.1% | $454,000 |
Cities Similar to Clearwater
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pompano Beach | 114,147 | $67,195 | $349,300 | 30.8% | 15.2% |
| Spring Hill | 119,983 | $68,432 | $288,500 | 19.9% | 11.8% |
| Lakeland | 119,961 | $64,185 | $249,400 | 29.4% | 13.2% |
| Miami Gardens | 113,177 | $63,627 | $378,500 | 18.1% | 13.6% |
| West Palm Beach | 122,290 | $73,446 | $414,200 | 39.2% | 14.1% |
Population Overview
Clearwater is a major urban center located in Florida, within Pinellas County. The total population is 117,247. It ranks as the 22nd most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clearwater is 46.6 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. 10.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clearwater is $66,381. This is 11% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.8%. This is 18% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $361,300. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x. 58.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Clearwater is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.1%.
Education
32.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 34.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clearwater, Florida is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Florida state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 955 Census-designated places in Florida. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Clearwater, Florida?
Clearwater, Florida has a population of 117,247 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clearwater, FL?
The median household income in Clearwater is $66,381, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clearwater, FL?
The poverty rate in Clearwater is 14.8%. This means approximately 17,055 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clearwater, Florida?
Clearwater's population is 65.1% White, 10.5% Black, 17.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clearwater, FL?
The median home value in Clearwater is $361,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x.
How educated is Clearwater, Florida?
32.6% of adults (25+) in Clearwater hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.