Punta Gorda city, Florida Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Punta Gorda city is a small city located in Florida. The total population is 19,886. It ranks as the 202nd most populous out of 953 cities and towns in Florida.

Age Demographics

The median age in Punta Gorda city is 66.5 years. This is 56% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. Only 8.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 28.2% 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 Punta Gorda city is $79,291. This is 11% higher than the state median of $71,711. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is about average. The poverty rate stands at 9.0%. This is 29% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $482,300. Housing costs are 48% higher than the state median of $325,000. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 83.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 67.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Punta Gorda city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (88.0% vs 51.4%). The Black or African American population (3.7%) is well below the state average of 14.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 26.8%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 2.8%.

Education

40.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% 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 96.1%. Notably, 17.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Punta Gorda 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.