Starke, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Starke, Florida had a total population of 5,877, the 442nd largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $52,258, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Starke Quick Facts
How Starke 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 | 5,821 | 5,877 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $46,291 | $52,258 | +12.9% |
| Median home value | $200,200 | $214,300 | +7.0% |
How Starke 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Starke Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Bradford County
Cities Similar to Starke
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zephyrhills West | 5,980 | $51,992 | $90,800 | 14.4% | 11.9% |
| Dundee | 5,863 | $48,668 | $247,800 | 11.0% | 26.0% |
| Jan Phyl Village | 5,708 | $53,571 | $258,600 | 12.8% | 27.0% |
| Pahokee | 5,609 | $53,359 | $152,300 | 14.4% | 32.1% |
| River Park | 5,714 | $55,437 | $244,000 | 21.2% | 6.7% |
Population Overview
Starke is a small city located in Florida, within Bradford County. The total population is 5,877. It ranks as the 442nd most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Starke is 37.0 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 42.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Starke is $52,258. This is 30% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.7%. This is 128% 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 4.0%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $214,300. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 56.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Starke is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 22.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (22.5% vs 14.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 27.4%.
Education
18.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 92.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Starke, 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 Starke, Florida?
Starke, Florida has a population of 5,877 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Starke, FL?
The median household income in Starke is $52,258, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Starke, FL?
The poverty rate in Starke is 28.7%. This means approximately 1,518 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Starke, Florida?
Starke's population is 65.8% White, 22.5% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Starke, FL?
The median home value in Starke is $214,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Starke, Florida?
18.2% of adults (25+) in Starke hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.