Fort Meade, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Meade, Florida had a total population of 5,225, the 470th largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $36,657, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Fort Meade Quick Facts
How Fort Meade 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 | 6,104 | 5,225 | -14.4% |
| Median household income | $54,551 | $36,657 | -32.8% |
| Median home value¹ | $95,872 | $175,900 | +83.5% |
| Median gross rent | $949 | $922 | No clear change (-2.8%) |
How Fort Meade 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: 51.4%
- Black: 13.2%
- Hispanic: 32.6%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.4%
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 23.4%
- HS Diploma: 43.6%
- Some College: 17.1%
- Associate's: 6.5%
- Bachelor's: 4.4%
- Graduate+: 5.0%
Fort Meade Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeland | 119,961 | $64,185 | 13.2% | $249,400 |
| Poinciana | 75,068 | $68,015 | 14.9% | $290,700 |
| Winter Haven | 55,200 | $59,648 | 16.4% | $269,800 |
| Haines City | 34,234 | $65,975 | 16.1% | $288,900 |
| Bartow | 20,438 | $68,178 | 18.1% | $234,100 |
| Auburndale | 18,530 | $77,911 | 9.6% | $296,200 |
| Lake Wales | 16,785 | $56,347 | 22.4% | $239,300 |
| Highland City | 13,276 | $90,947 | 5.9% | $347,100 |
| Davenport | 13,238 | $73,685 | 14.1% | $333,300 |
| Lakeland Highlands | 12,102 | $108,263 | 2.7% | $385,000 |
Cities Similar to Fort Meade
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combee Settlement | 5,242 | $40,384 | $195,900 | 14.4% | 27.3% |
| Zephyrhills South | 5,008 | $42,454 | $49,800 | 11.4% | 13.8% |
| Cocoa West | 5,923 | $34,126 | $158,700 | 14.1% | 34.1% |
| Gifford | 4,668 | $33,175 | $236,000 | 20.2% | 42.0% |
| Taylor Creek | 4,457 | $38,149 | $115,400 | 10.7% | 19.2% |
Population Overview
Fort Meade is a small city located in Florida, within Polk County. The total population is 5,225. It ranks as the 470th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Meade is 44.7 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. 13.7% 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 Fort Meade is $36,657. This is 51% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.9%. This is 74% 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 5.3%. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $175,900. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 70.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Meade is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 32.6%.
Education
9.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 73% 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 76.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Meade, 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 Fort Meade, Florida?
Fort Meade, Florida has a population of 5,225 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Meade, FL?
The median household income in Fort Meade is $36,657, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Meade, FL?
The poverty rate in Fort Meade is 21.9%. This means approximately 1,146 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Meade, Florida?
Fort Meade's population is 51.4% White, 13.2% Black, 32.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Meade, FL?
The median home value in Fort Meade is $175,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Fort Meade, Florida?
9.4% of adults (25+) in Fort Meade hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.