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Sarasota city, Florida Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, Sarasota city, Florida has a total population of 56,218, the 71st largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $70,065, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.3%.

Sarasota city Quick Facts

Population 56,218
Median Household Income $70,065
Median Home Value $409,700
Poverty Rate 14.3%
Unemployment Rate 3.6%
Median Age 49.3 years
Homeownership Rate 55.7%
Affordability Ratio 5.8x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 41.7%
High School Graduation Rate 92.4%
Diversity Index 54/100
Population 56,218 71st of 953
Median Income $70,065 average
Poverty Rate 14.3% 15% higher national
Median Home Value $409,700 top 30%

How Sarasota city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

3.6% Unemployment Rate State: 4.8% | National: 5.2%
53.3% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 55.7%
Renter 44.3%
Affordability Index Expensive
5.8x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

54out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 64 | National average: 60

Education

Sarasota city Rankings in Florida

#71 Population of 953
#428 Median Income of 953
#233 Education of 953
#232 Home Value of 953

Cities Similar to Sarasota city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Fountainebleau CDP56,453$65,568$284,60034.6%12.3%
Pensacola city54,011$72,699$276,50042.7%12.3%
Coconut Creek city57,587$75,516$291,00038.0%10.9%
Bradenton city56,289$60,964$282,50027.7%14.2%
Kendale Lakes CDP52,141$69,150$378,10029.3%10.7%

Population Overview

Sarasota city is a mid-sized community located in Florida. The total population is 56,218. It ranks as the 71st most populous out of 953 cities and towns in Florida.

Age Demographics

The median age in Sarasota city is 49.3 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. Only 14.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 14.7% 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 Sarasota city is $70,065. This is 2% lower than the state median of $71,711. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 11% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.3%. This is 14% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $409,700. Housing costs are 26% higher than the state median of $325,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x. 55.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 67.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Sarasota city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.3%.

Education

41.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 92.4%. Notably, 18.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Sarasota 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Sarasota city, Florida?

Sarasota city, Florida has a population of 56,218 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Sarasota city, FL?

The median household income in Sarasota city is $70,065, which is 11% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Sarasota city, FL?

The poverty rate in Sarasota city is 14.3%. This means approximately 7,502 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Sarasota city, Florida?

Sarasota city's population is 63.8% White, 15.0% Black, 16.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.

What is the median home value in Sarasota city, FL?

The median home value in Sarasota city is $409,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x.

How educated is Sarasota city, Florida?

41.7% of adults (25+) in Sarasota city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.