Palm Beach County, Florida Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Palm Beach County is located in Florida with a total population of 1,507,453. It is the 3rd most populous county out of 67 in Florida.

Age Demographics

The median age in Palm Beach County is 45.4 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. 12.6% 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 Palm Beach County is $81,115. This is 13% higher than the state median of $71,711. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 3% higher. The poverty rate stands at 11.1%. This is 12% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $407,300. Housing costs are 25% higher than the state median of $325,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 69.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 67.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Palm Beach County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 23.8%.

Education

39.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Palm Beach County in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 19% higher 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 89.1%. Notably, 15.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.