Key West city, Florida Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Key West city is a mid-sized community located in Florida. The total population is 25,824. It ranks as the 163rd most populous out of 953 cities and towns in Florida.

Age Demographics

The median age in Key West city is 46.5 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. Only 14.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Key West city is $78,532. This is 10% higher than the state median of $71,711. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is about average. The poverty rate stands at 11.1%. This is 12% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.0%. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $816,300. Housing costs are 151% higher than the state median of $325,000. The home-value-to-income ratio of 10.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 47.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 67.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Key West city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 23.3%.

Education

41.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 33.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.3%. Notably, 16.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Key West city, Florida is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Florida state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 953 Census-designated places in Florida. For official data, visit data.census.gov.