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Sarasota County, Florida Demographics 2026

Sarasota County, Florida has a population of 449,011, the 14th most populous county in Florida. The median household income is $80,633 and the median home value is $373,100. The poverty rate is 8.2%.

Sarasota County Quick Facts

Population 449,011
Median Household Income $80,633
Median Home Value $373,100
Poverty Rate 8.2%
Unemployment Rate 3.7%
Median Age 57.3 years
Homeownership Rate 76.3%
Affordability Ratio 4.6x
Bachelor's Degree+ 39.7%
High School Graduation 94.4%
Cities/Places 0
Population 449,011 14th of 67
Median Income $80,633 12% higher state
Poverty Rate 8.2%
Unemployment 3.7%

Economy & Housing

Employment

3.7% Unemployment Rate State: 4.8% | National: 5.2%
48.8% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 76.3%
Renter 23.7%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.6x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

34out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 64 | National average: 60

Education

Explore Florida Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Population Overview

Sarasota County is located in Florida with a total population of 449,011. It is the 14th most populous county out of 67 in Florida.

Age Demographics

The median age in Sarasota County is 57.3 years. This is 35% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. Only 14.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 18.6% 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 Sarasota County is $80,633. This is 12% 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 8.2%. This is 35% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 24% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $373,100. Housing costs are 15% higher than the state median of $325,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 76.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 67.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Sarasota County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (80.6% vs 51.4%). The Black or African American population (4.0%) is well below the state average of 14.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (10.2%) is well below the state average of 26.8%.

Education

39.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Sarasota 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 94.4%. Notably, 16.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Sarasota County, Florida?

Sarasota County has a population of 449,011, making it the 14th most populous county in Florida.

What is the median income in Sarasota County?

The median household income in Sarasota County is $80,633 with a poverty rate of 8.2%.

How many cities are in Sarasota County, Florida?

Sarasota County contains 0 Census-designated places.