Jay, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Jay, Florida had a total population of 796, the 812th largest town in Florida, with a median household income of $48,359, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.8% is notably above the national average.
Jay Quick Facts
How Jay 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 | 423 | 796 | +88.2% |
| Median household income | $44,955 | $48,359 | No clear change (+7.6%) |
| Median home value¹ | $93,780 | $150,800 | No clear change (+60.8%) |
| Median gross rent | $1,140 | $1,117 | No clear change (-2.0%) |
How Jay 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: 92.6%
- Black: 0.0%
- Hispanic: 1.0%
- Asian: 2.0%
- Other: 0.0%
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 27.2%
- HS Diploma: 23.4%
- Some College: 28.5%
- Associate's: 6.2%
- Bachelor's: 9.5%
- Graduate+: 5.3%
Jay Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Santa Rosa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navarre | 39,838 | $105,265 | 5.8% | $375,700 |
| Pace | 26,282 | $80,701 | 12.2% | $293,800 |
| Midway (Santa Rosa County) | 21,317 | $96,041 | 6.9% | $381,600 |
| East Milton | 14,783 | $64,904 | 12.5% | $212,900 |
| Milton | 10,733 | $76,301 | 8.1% | $233,100 |
| Gulf Breeze | 6,660 | $104,050 | 6.0% | $505,600 |
| Bagdad | 4,466 | $82,034 | 4.5% | $227,900 |
| Wallace | 4,202 | $116,496 | 5.7% | $400,700 |
| Point Baker | 3,976 | $64,769 | 26.1% | $213,000 |
| Tiger Point | 3,628 | $118,967 | 3.2% | $427,900 |
Cities Similar to Jay
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matlacha | 770 | N/A | $477,300 | 24.3% | 9.5% |
| Greenwood | 803 | $46,023 | $96,400 | 21.9% | 13.8% |
| Steinhatchee | 756 | $50,000 | $296,200 | 36.9% | 11.9% |
| Lee | 835 | $46,264 | $97,900 | 7.1% | 33.7% |
| Vernon | 815 | $43,194 | $115,800 | 8.2% | 27.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 796, Jay's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Jay is a small community located in Florida, within Santa Rosa County. The total population is 796. It ranks as the 812th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Jay is 30.8 years. This is 28% lower than the state median of 42.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Jay is $48,359. This is 35% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.6%. This is 112% 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 10.8%. This is 124% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $150,800. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 38.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 43% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Jay has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.6% of all residents. Asian residents account for 2.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (92.6% vs 50.4%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 27.4%.
Education
14.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 72.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Jay, 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 Jay, Florida?
Jay, Florida has a population of 796 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Jay, FL?
The median household income in Jay is $48,359, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Jay, FL?
The poverty rate in Jay is 26.6%. This means approximately 212 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Jay, Florida?
Jay's population is 92.6% White, 0.0% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Jay, FL?
The median home value in Jay is $150,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Jay, Florida?
14.8% of adults (25+) in Jay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.