Palatka city, Florida Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Palatka city is a small city located in Florida. The total population is 10,558. It ranks as the 336th most populous out of 953 cities and towns in Florida.

Age Demographics

The median age in Palatka city is 37.0 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 42.6 years. 10.0% 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 Palatka city is $33,628. This is 53% lower than the state median of $71,711. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 57% lower. The poverty rate stands at 34.1%. This is 170% 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 7.2%. This is 51% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $112,300. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $325,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 46.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 67.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Palatka city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 43.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (44.2% vs 14.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (8.8%) is well below the state average of 26.8%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.8%.

Education

12.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% lower 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 79.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Palatka 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.