Wahneta, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wahneta, Florida had a total population of 3,876, the 539th largest community in Florida, with a median household income of $46,598, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 1.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Wahneta Quick Facts
How Wahneta 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 | 4,862 | 3,876 | No clear change (-20.3%) |
| Median household income | $41,378 | $46,598 | No clear change (+12.6%) |
| Median home value¹ | $75,812 | $97,500 | No clear change (+28.6%) |
| Median gross rent | $901 | $1,113 | No clear change (+23.5%) |
How Wahneta 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: 27.9%
- Black: 0.0%
- Hispanic: 71.7%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.0%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 36.5%
- HS Diploma: 51.6%
- Some College: 8.6%
- Associate's: 2.1%
- Bachelor's: 0.8%
- Graduate+: 0.5%
Wahneta Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeland | 119,961 | $64,185 | 13.2% | $249,400 |
| Poinciana | 75,068 | $68,015 | 14.9% | $290,700 |
| Winter Haven | 55,200 | $59,648 | 16.4% | $269,800 |
| Haines City | 34,234 | $65,975 | 16.1% | $288,900 |
| Bartow | 20,438 | $68,178 | 18.1% | $234,100 |
| Auburndale | 18,530 | $77,911 | 9.6% | $296,200 |
| Lake Wales | 16,785 | $56,347 | 22.4% | $239,300 |
| Highland City | 13,276 | $90,947 | 5.9% | $347,100 |
| Davenport | 13,238 | $73,685 | 14.1% | $333,300 |
| Lakeland Highlands | 12,102 | $108,263 | 2.7% | $385,000 |
Cities Similar to Wahneta
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chipley | 3,683 | $46,193 | $143,700 | 17.1% | 12.7% |
| Clarcona | 3,850 | $41,861 | $317,800 | 16.9% | 14.8% |
| Pine Manor | 3,660 | $45,697 | $273,800 | 9.5% | 19.2% |
| Rainbow Lakes Estates | 3,762 | $50,429 | $160,400 | 13.9% | 11.9% |
| Woodville | 3,722 | $53,772 | $164,800 | 19.5% | 17.4% |
Population Overview
Wahneta is a small community located in Florida, within Polk County. The total population is 3,876. It ranks as the 539th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wahneta is 33.1 years. This is 22% lower than the state median of 42.6 years. With 32.6% of the population under 18, Wahneta has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wahneta is $46,598. This is 38% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.2%. This is 92% 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 7.3%. This is 52% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $97,500. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $359,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Wahneta is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wahneta is Hispanic or Latino, making up 71.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 27.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (71.7% vs 27.4%).
Education
1.3% 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 96% 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 63.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wahneta, 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 Wahneta, Florida?
Wahneta, Florida has a population of 3,876 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wahneta, FL?
The median household income in Wahneta is $46,598, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wahneta, FL?
The poverty rate in Wahneta is 24.2%. This means approximately 937 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wahneta, Florida?
Wahneta's population is 27.9% White, 0.0% Black, 71.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wahneta, FL?
The median home value in Wahneta is $97,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Wahneta, Florida?
1.3% of adults (25+) in Wahneta hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.