Sarasota, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
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%.
Sarasota Quick Facts
How Sarasota Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,919 | 56,970 | No clear change (+0.1%) |
| Median household income | $66,051 | $72,105 | +9.2% |
| Median home value¹ | $330,322 | $463,000 | +40.2% |
| Median gross rent | $1,396 | $1,684 | +20.7% |
How Sarasota Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 63.2%
- Black: 14.5%
- Hispanic: 17.9%
- Asian: 1.9%
- Other: 0.3%
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 7.5%
- HS Diploma: 27.5%
- Some College: 14.1%
- Associate's: 9.2%
- Bachelor's: 23.7%
- Graduate+: 18.0%
Sarasota Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Sarasota County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home 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.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coconut Creek | 58,330 | $75,014 | $309,600 | 38.9% | 11.0% |
| Pensacola | 54,036 | $74,212 | $314,400 | 43.0% | 12.6% |
| Fountainebleau | 55,665 | $64,908 | $320,200 | 35.6% | 12.7% |
| Kendale Lakes | 52,622 | $71,621 | $404,500 | 31.6% | 10.3% |
| Bradenton | 57,014 | $60,822 | $309,400 | 28.3% | 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.