Sanford, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sanford, Florida had a total population of 63,730, the 60th largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $66,891, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Florida (diversity index: 71/100).
Sanford Quick Facts
How Sanford 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 | 62,292 | 63,730 | +2.3% |
| Median household income | $62,877 | $66,891 | +6.4% |
| Median home value | $272,900 | $309,300 | +13.3% |
How Sanford 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Sanford Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Seminole County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altamonte Springs | 46,116 | $64,070 | 11.9% | $293,000 |
| Oviedo | 40,599 | $117,070 | 5.3% | $454,000 |
| Winter Springs | 38,951 | $92,574 | 6.8% | $378,700 |
| Casselberry | 30,135 | $62,447 | 12.2% | $299,200 |
| Wekiwa Springs | 23,915 | $116,596 | 5.3% | $453,600 |
| Lake Mary | 16,860 | $109,173 | 3.5% | $494,900 |
| Longwood | 16,337 | $78,548 | 9.9% | $354,300 |
| Forest City | 15,312 | $85,606 | 9.5% | $369,900 |
| Fern Park | 7,981 | $59,428 | 12.4% | $346,900 |
| Heathrow | 6,769 | $126,250 | 3.5% | $598,600 |
Cities Similar to Sanford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Charlotte | 66,133 | $63,844 | $269,900 | 20.8% | 9.6% |
| Four Corners | 65,048 | $72,879 | $351,800 | 35.0% | 10.5% |
| Port Orange | 64,767 | $74,426 | $317,200 | 31.4% | 11.0% |
| Margate | 59,198 | $62,450 | $316,200 | 24.7% | 12.1% |
| Palm Harbor | 61,512 | $78,935 | $405,300 | 40.6% | 10.3% |
Population Overview
Sanford is a mid-sized community located in Florida, within Seminole County. The total population is 63,730. It ranks as the 60th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sanford is 37.1 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 42.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sanford is $66,891. This is 10% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.9%. This is 5% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $309,300. Housing costs are 14% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 52.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sanford is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 28.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (24.1% vs 14.6%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.4% vs 2.9%).
Education
29.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% 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 89.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sanford, 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 Sanford, Florida?
Sanford, Florida has a population of 63,730 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sanford, FL?
The median household income in Sanford is $66,891, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sanford, FL?
The poverty rate in Sanford is 11.9%. This means approximately 7,427 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sanford, Florida?
Sanford's population is 38.5% White, 24.1% Black, 28.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sanford, FL?
The median home value in Sanford is $309,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Sanford, Florida?
29.5% of adults (25+) in Sanford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.