Tavares, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tavares, Florida had a total population of 20,463, the 202nd largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $58,886, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Tavares Quick Facts
How Tavares 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 | 19,738 | 20,463 | +3.7% |
| Median household income | $57,644 | $58,886 | +2.2% |
| Median home value | $225,500 | $254,500 | +12.9% |
How Tavares 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+)
Tavares Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Lake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clermont | 46,853 | $82,306 | 5.4% | $418,400 |
| Leesburg | 30,807 | $52,880 | 16.4% | $228,600 |
| Eustis | 24,119 | $65,373 | 9.6% | $270,700 |
| Groveland | 22,012 | $100,226 | 3.6% | $365,800 |
| Mount Dora | 17,278 | $74,537 | 11.8% | $381,900 |
| Lady Lake | 16,675 | $46,074 | 12.3% | $227,300 |
| Minneola | 16,598 | $110,902 | 4.7% | $420,800 |
| Fruitland Park | 8,740 | $82,656 | 10.4% | $382,400 |
| Mascotte | 7,949 | $83,878 | 4.6% | $304,300 |
| Mount Plymouth | 4,604 | $90,041 | 19.9% | $323,700 |
Cities Similar to Tavares
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweetwater | 20,085 | $54,967 | $294,200 | 21.4% | 16.3% |
| Bartow | 20,438 | $68,178 | $234,100 | 22.8% | 18.1% |
| Cocoa | 19,554 | $63,105 | $246,100 | 27.4% | 13.1% |
| Florida Ridge | 20,889 | $66,625 | $287,900 | 28.5% | 11.3% |
| Englewood | 20,091 | $69,222 | $339,900 | 33.9% | 8.5% |
Population Overview
Tavares is a small city located in Florida, within Lake County. The total population is 20,463. It ranks as the 202nd most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tavares is 53.1 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. Only 14.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 19.4% 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 Tavares is $58,886. This is 21% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.3%. This is 26% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $254,500. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 76.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Tavares is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.2%.
Education
25.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% 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 89.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tavares, 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 Tavares, Florida?
Tavares, Florida has a population of 20,463 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tavares, FL?
The median household income in Tavares is $58,886, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tavares, FL?
The poverty rate in Tavares is 9.3%. This means approximately 1,788 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tavares, Florida?
Tavares's population is 68.3% White, 8.2% Black, 16.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tavares, FL?
The median home value in Tavares is $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Tavares, Florida?
25.9% of adults (25+) in Tavares hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.