Palatka, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Palatka, Florida had a total population of 10,650, the 332nd largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $32,021, which is 57% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 37.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 57% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (37.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 9.3% is notably above the national average.
Palatka Quick Facts
How Palatka 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 | 10,558 | 10,650 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $33,628 | $32,021 | -4.8% |
| Median home value | $112,300 | $150,500 | +34.0% |
How Palatka 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+)
Palatka Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Putnam County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crescent City | 1,944 | $33,971 | 31.7% | $192,600 |
| Interlachen | 1,923 | $47,950 | 29.9% | $152,500 |
| East Palatka | 1,494 | $73,718 | 27.2% | $246,600 |
| Welaka | 1,082 | $54,830 | 27.1% | $283,100 |
| Pomona Park | 755 | $43,317 | 32.3% | $159,600 |
Cities Similar to Palatka
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avon Park | 10,057 | $36,485 | $144,700 | 10.7% | 23.3% |
| Sebring | 11,382 | $44,184 | $191,600 | 21.0% | 24.1% |
| Pine Castle | 10,371 | $49,761 | $331,800 | 19.6% | 20.3% |
| Hernando | 9,299 | $43,076 | $209,700 | 15.3% | 21.1% |
| Beverly Hills | 9,650 | $46,488 | $164,500 | 13.9% | 19.8% |
Population Overview
Palatka is a small city located in Florida, within Putnam County. The total population is 10,650. It ranks as the 332nd most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palatka is 35.3 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 42.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Palatka is $32,021. This is 57% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 60% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 37.3%. This is 197% 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 9.3%. This is 92% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $150,500. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 50.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Palatka is Black or African American, making up 46.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 38.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (46.5% vs 14.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (9.1%) is well below the state average of 27.4%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
10.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% 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 77.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Palatka, 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.
Free data download: Get all Florida city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Palatka, Florida?
Palatka, Florida has a population of 10,650 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palatka, FL?
The median household income in Palatka is $32,021, which is 60% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Palatka, FL?
The poverty rate in Palatka is 37.3%. This means approximately 3,787 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palatka, Florida?
Palatka's population is 38.6% White, 46.5% Black, 9.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palatka, FL?
The median home value in Palatka is $150,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Palatka, Florida?
10.7% of adults (25+) in Palatka hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.