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Sarasota, Florida Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sarasota, Florida had a total population of 56,970, the 71st largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $72,105, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.0%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Sarasota Quick Facts

Population 56,970
Median Household Income $72,105
Median Home Value $463,000
Poverty Rate 15.0%
Unemployment Rate 3.6%
Median Age 48.2 years
Homeownership Rate 57.5%
Affordability Ratio 6.4x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 41.8%
High School Graduation Rate 92.5%
Diversity Index 55/100
Population 56,970 71st of 955
Median Income $72,105 average
Poverty Rate 15.0% 20% higher than national
Median Home Value $463,000 top 30%

How Sarasota Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population56,21856,970+1.3%
Median household income$70,065$72,105+2.9%
Median home value$409,700$463,000+13.0%

How Sarasota Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 17.0%
$25K-$50K 19.6%
$50K-$100K 26.3%
$100K+ 37.1%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
5.2%
$10K-$15K
4.2%
$15K-$20K
3.6%
$20K-$25K
4.0%
$25K-$30K
3.2%
$30K-$35K
4.2%
$35K-$40K
4.3%
$40K-$45K
3.4%
$45K-$50K
4.6%
$50K-$60K
6.4%
$60K-$75K
8.5%
$75K-$100K
11.4%
$100K-$125K
9.0%
$125K-$150K
6.7%
$150K-$200K
7.1%
$200K+
14.2%

Employment

3.6% Unemployment Rate State: 4.8%|National: 5.2%
53.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 57.5%
Renter 42.5%
Affordability Index Expensive
6.4x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,684/mo 28.0% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

55out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 65 | National average: 61

Education

Sarasota Rankings in Florida

#71 Population of 955
#443 Median Income of 911
#248 Education of 955
#211 Home Value of 901

Other Cities in Sarasota County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
North Port 84,605 $84,049 6.7% $362,500
Lakewood Ranch 43,945 $122,925 7.4% $678,200
Venice 27,479 $76,755 9.2% $434,700
Englewood 20,091 $69,222 8.5% $339,900
South Venice 17,484 $77,097 12.5% $337,300
Palmer Ranch 16,867 $102,838 6.9% $592,900
Fruitville 15,172 $82,246 8.6% $412,500
Sarasota Springs 12,611 $95,688 12.7% $349,100
Laurel 11,741 $92,340 5.6% $478,900
Bee Ridge 10,334 $75,906 7.2% $412,400

Cities Similar to Sarasota

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

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Coconut Creek58,330$75,014$309,60038.9%11.0%
Pensacola54,036$74,212$314,40043.0%12.6%
Fountainebleau55,665$64,908$320,20035.6%12.7%
Kendale Lakes52,622$71,621$404,50031.6%10.3%
Bradenton57,014$60,822$309,40028.3%14.8%

Population Overview

Sarasota is a mid-sized community located in Florida, within Sarasota County. The total population is 56,970. It ranks as the 71st most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.

Age Demographics

The median age in Sarasota is 48.2 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. 14.8% 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 is $72,105. This is 3% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.0%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $463,000. Housing costs are 29% higher than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 57.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 67.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Sarasota is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.9%.

Education

41.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% higher 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 92.5%. Notably, 18.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Sarasota, 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Sarasota, Florida?

Sarasota, Florida has a population of 56,970 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Sarasota, FL?

The median household income in Sarasota is $72,105, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Sarasota, FL?

The poverty rate in Sarasota is 15.0%. This means approximately 7,958 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Sarasota, Florida?

Sarasota's population is 63.2% White, 14.5% Black, 17.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.

What is the median home value in Sarasota, FL?

The median home value in Sarasota is $463,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.4x.

How educated is Sarasota, Florida?

41.8% of adults (25+) in Sarasota hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.