Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida had a total population of 4,836, the 493rd largest community in Florida, with a median household income of $26,354, which is 65% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 77.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 65% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (77.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 17.3% is notably above the national average.
Florida Gulf Coast University Quick Facts
How Florida Gulf Coast University Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,416 | 4,836 | +9.5% |
| Median household income | $25,395 | $26,354 | +3.8% |
How Florida Gulf Coast University Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Florida Gulf Coast University Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Lee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | 215,536 | $78,104 | 10.8% | $373,500 |
| Lehigh Acres | 132,353 | $66,890 | 17.1% | $292,400 |
| Fort Myers | 95,051 | $63,732 | 16.3% | $384,500 |
| Bonita Springs | 55,904 | $95,210 | 9.6% | $497,100 |
| North Fort Myers | 44,993 | $56,261 | 14.8% | $161,800 |
| Estero | 37,858 | $104,102 | 7.7% | $461,900 |
| San Carlos Park | 19,159 | $85,952 | 9.4% | $325,000 |
| Villas | 13,644 | $58,413 | 10.0% | $248,700 |
| Iona | 13,631 | $66,827 | 8.2% | $322,800 |
| Cypress Lake | 13,032 | $62,590 | 9.8% | $258,900 |
Cities Similar to Florida Gulf Coast University
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gifford | 4,668 | $33,175 | $236,000 | 20.2% | 42.0% |
| Fort Meade | 5,225 | $36,657 | $175,900 | 9.4% | 21.9% |
| Taylor Creek | 4,457 | $38,149 | $115,400 | 10.7% | 19.2% |
| Zephyrhills South | 5,008 | $42,454 | $49,800 | 11.4% | 13.8% |
| Lake Panasoffkee | 4,768 | $44,531 | $153,000 | 10.5% | 30.4% |
Population Overview
Florida Gulf Coast University is a small community located in Florida, within Lee County. The total population is 4,836. It ranks as the 493rd most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Florida Gulf Coast University is 19.5 years. This is 54% lower than the state median of 42.6 years. Only 2.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Florida Gulf Coast University is $26,354. This is 65% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 67% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 77.6%. This is 517% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 17.3%. This is 259% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. Every occupied housing unit the survey reached in Florida Gulf Coast University was renter-occupied. At this sample size that indicates no owner-occupied homes were captured rather than that none exist.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Florida Gulf Coast University is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.7%.
Education
31.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 34.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Florida Gulf Coast University, 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 Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida?
Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida has a population of 4,836 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Florida Gulf Coast University, FL?
The median household income in Florida Gulf Coast University is $26,354, which is 67% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Florida Gulf Coast University, FL?
The poverty rate in Florida Gulf Coast University is 77.6%. This means approximately 357 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida?
Florida Gulf Coast University's population is 69.2% White, 8.5% Black, 14.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Florida Gulf Coast University, FL?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Florida Gulf Coast University — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida?
31.5% of adults (25+) in Florida Gulf Coast University hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.