South Bay, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Bay, Florida had a total population of 5,102, the 477th largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $51,417, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 9.0% is notably above the national average.
South Bay Quick Facts
How South Bay 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 | 4,828 | 5,102 | +5.7% |
| Median household income | $51,827 | $51,417 | -0.8% |
| Median home value | $125,000 | $142,300 | +13.8% |
How South Bay 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
South Bay Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Palm Beach County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Palm Beach | 122,290 | $73,446 | 14.1% | $414,200 |
| Boca Raton | 100,234 | $106,273 | 10.0% | $722,700 |
| Boynton Beach | 81,435 | $70,074 | 13.7% | $351,100 |
| Delray Beach | 67,979 | $82,041 | 13.0% | $420,300 |
| Wellington | 62,146 | $115,632 | 7.8% | $599,400 |
| Jupiter | 61,883 | $110,240 | 9.5% | $608,600 |
| Palm Beach Gardens | 60,959 | $106,947 | 7.2% | $606,100 |
| Greenacres | 44,373 | $70,491 | 14.8% | $291,000 |
| Lake Worth Beach | 43,365 | $61,200 | 21.2% | $401,200 |
| The Acreage | 40,843 | $109,032 | 4.6% | $524,800 |
Cities Similar to South Bay
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Pierce South | 5,028 | $50,503 | $224,100 | 17.2% | 29.8% |
| LaBelle | 5,184 | $53,309 | $204,400 | 17.8% | 17.2% |
| Kenneth City | 5,012 | $49,347 | $241,200 | 17.3% | 13.8% |
| Samoset | 5,284 | $51,976 | $196,800 | 7.3% | 20.9% |
| Wauchula | 4,927 | $53,013 | $191,800 | 9.3% | 38.1% |
Population Overview
South Bay is a small city located in Florida, within Palm Beach County. The total population is 5,102. It ranks as the 477th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Bay is 37.8 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 42.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Bay is $51,417. This is 31% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.3%. This is 157% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 9.0%. This is 86% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $142,300. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $359,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, South Bay is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South Bay is Black or African American, making up 61.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 25.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (7.8%) is well below the state average of 50.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (61.7% vs 14.6%).
Education
8.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 74% 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 61.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Bay, 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 South Bay, Florida?
South Bay, Florida has a population of 5,102 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Bay, FL?
The median household income in South Bay is $51,417, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Bay, FL?
The poverty rate in South Bay is 32.3%. This means approximately 1,012 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Bay, Florida?
South Bay's population is 7.8% White, 61.7% Black, 25.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Bay, FL?
The median home value in South Bay is $142,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is South Bay, Florida?
8.8% of adults (25+) in South Bay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.