Live Oak, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Live Oak, Florida had a total population of 6,985, the 416th largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $59,375, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.3%.
Key Takeaways
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Florida (diversity index: 70/100).
- Unemployment rate of 14.2% is notably above the national average.
Live Oak Quick Facts
How Live Oak 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 | 6,890 | 6,985 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $58,900 | $59,375 | No clear change (+0.8%) |
| Median home value¹ | $136,116 | $160,300 | No clear change (+17.8%) |
| Median gross rent | $882 | $903 | No clear change (+2.3%) |
How Live Oak 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: 40.7%
- Black: 30.5%
- Hispanic: 13.7%
- Asian: 0.1%
- Other: 0.0%
Diversity Index
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 10.0%
- HS Diploma: 42.9%
- Some College: 30.5%
- Associate's: 5.6%
- Bachelor's: 9.2%
- Graduate+: 1.8%
Live Oak Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Suwannee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Branford | 950 | $44,313 | 15.4% | $157,100 |
Cities Similar to Live Oak
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Miami | 7,162 | $61,274 | $488,800 | 40.0% | 12.9% |
| Kathleen | 7,201 | $57,097 | $203,500 | 11.4% | 31.8% |
| South Apopka | 7,300 | $61,151 | $280,500 | 18.7% | 28.1% |
| Clewiston | 7,348 | $57,222 | $239,200 | 17.4% | 16.4% |
| Inverness Highlands South | 7,449 | $60,750 | $216,800 | 14.8% | 8.7% |
Population Overview
Live Oak is a small city located in Florida, within Suwannee County. The total population is 6,985. It ranks as the 416th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Live Oak is 37.4 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 42.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Live Oak is $59,375. This is 20% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.3%. This is 30% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 14.2%. This is 193% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $160,300. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $359,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Live Oak is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Live Oak is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 30.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (30.5% vs 14.6%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
11.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% 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 90.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Live Oak, 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 Live Oak, Florida?
Live Oak, Florida has a population of 6,985 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Live Oak, FL?
The median household income in Live Oak is $59,375, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Live Oak, FL?
The poverty rate in Live Oak is 16.3%. This means approximately 1,063 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Live Oak, Florida?
Live Oak's population is 40.7% White, 30.5% Black, 13.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Live Oak, FL?
The median home value in Live Oak is $160,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Live Oak, Florida?
11.0% of adults (25+) in Live Oak hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.