Key West, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Key West, Florida had a total population of 25,720, the 172nd largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $87,037, which is 17% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.8x the median household income.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
Key West Quick Facts
How Key West 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 | 25,824 | 25,720 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $78,532 | $87,037 | +10.8% |
| Median home value | $816,300 | $852,400 | +4.4% |
How Key West 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Key West Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Monroe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key Largo | 13,026 | $85,778 | 9.9% | $643,900 |
| Marathon | 9,914 | $89,355 | 13.4% | $725,800 |
| Islamorada | 7,068 | $87,222 | 6.9% | $919,600 |
| Big Pine Key | 4,258 | $110,134 | 10.7% | $637,000 |
| Stock Island | 4,162 | $65,515 | 11.5% | $517,500 |
| Big Coppitt Key | 3,109 | $105,139 | 4.7% | $534,500 |
| Cudjoe Key | 2,492 | $87,500 | 8.6% | $857,400 |
| Tavernier | 2,413 | $50,256 | 17.6% | $613,700 |
| North Key Largo | 1,808 | $149,605 | 28.1% | $2,000,000+ |
| Duck Key | 647 | $156,719 | 13.0% | $1,051,000 |
Cities Similar to Key West
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port St. John | 25,120 | $87,736 | $281,300 | 20.4% | 9.9% |
| Northdale | 25,710 | $94,926 | $418,900 | 46.4% | 5.7% |
| Tarpon Springs | 25,791 | $79,529 | $340,700 | 34.7% | 10.0% |
| Pace | 26,282 | $80,701 | $293,800 | 31.3% | 12.2% |
| Coral Terrace | 24,895 | $80,353 | $582,900 | 29.4% | 10.8% |
Population Overview
Key West is a mid-sized community located in Florida, within Monroe County. The total population is 25,720. It ranks as the 172nd most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Key West is 46.1 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 42.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Key West is $87,037. This is 17% higher than the state median of $74,568. It is also 8% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.9%. This is 13% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.2%. This is 54% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $852,400. Housing costs are 137% higher than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 49.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Key West is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.5%.
Education
41.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% higher 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 93.0%. Notably, 16.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Key West, 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 Key West, Florida?
Key West, Florida has a population of 25,720 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Key West, FL?
The median household income in Key West is $87,037, which is 8% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Key West, FL?
The poverty rate in Key West is 10.9%. This means approximately 2,729 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Key West, Florida?
Key West's population is 58.5% White, 12.2% Black, 22.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Key West, FL?
The median home value in Key West is $852,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.8x.
How educated is Key West, Florida?
41.3% of adults (25+) in Key West hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.