Palm Bay, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Palm Bay, Florida had a total population of 130,132, the 17th largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $72,614, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Palm Bay Quick Facts
How Palm Bay 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 | 125,273 | 130,132 | +3.9% |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $72,614 | +7.5% |
| Median home value | $248,000 | $283,200 | +14.2% |
How Palm Bay 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+)
Palm Bay Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Brevard County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | 86,576 | $66,991 | 15.8% | $306,400 |
| Titusville | 49,385 | $66,192 | 11.3% | $266,600 |
| Merritt Island | 34,992 | $94,012 | 7.4% | $402,900 |
| Rockledge | 29,133 | $84,255 | 9.0% | $338,100 |
| West Melbourne | 28,795 | $92,986 | 7.3% | $377,100 |
| Port St. John | 25,120 | $87,736 | 9.9% | $281,300 |
| Cocoa | 19,554 | $63,105 | 13.1% | $246,100 |
| Viera West | 17,984 | $109,170 | 3.2% | $546,600 |
| Viera East | 12,570 | $92,467 | 3.5% | $396,700 |
| Cocoa Beach | 11,377 | $87,990 | 9.6% | $503,200 |
Cities Similar to Palm Bay
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lehigh Acres | 132,353 | $66,890 | $292,400 | 14.3% | 17.1% |
| West Palm Beach | 122,290 | $73,446 | $414,200 | 39.2% | 14.1% |
| Spring Hill | 119,983 | $68,432 | $288,500 | 19.9% | 11.8% |
| Brandon | 119,767 | $79,685 | $339,000 | 33.8% | 11.4% |
| Lakeland | 119,961 | $64,185 | $249,400 | 29.4% | 13.2% |
Population Overview
Palm Bay is a major urban center located in Florida, within Brevard County. The total population is 130,132. It ranks as the 17th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palm Bay is 41.0 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 42.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Palm Bay is $72,614. This is 3% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.7%. This is 7% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 6.1%. This is 26% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $283,200. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 79.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Palm Bay is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.6%.
Education
24.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 91.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Palm Bay, 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 Palm Bay, Florida?
Palm Bay, Florida has a population of 130,132 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palm Bay, FL?
The median household income in Palm Bay is $72,614, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Palm Bay, FL?
The poverty rate in Palm Bay is 11.7%. This means approximately 15,152 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palm Bay, Florida?
Palm Bay's population is 50.8% White, 18.4% Black, 20.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palm Bay, FL?
The median home value in Palm Bay is $283,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Palm Bay, Florida?
24.0% of adults (25+) in Palm Bay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.