Waldo, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waldo, Florida had a total population of 1,303, the 746th largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $29,894, which is 60% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 60% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 6.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Waldo Quick Facts
How Waldo 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 | 825 | 1,303 | No clear change (+57.9%) |
| Median household income | $44,613 | $29,894 | No clear change (-33.0%) |
| Median home value¹ | $128,363 | $113,600 | No clear change (-11.5%) |
| Median gross rent | $927 | $745 | No clear change (-19.6%) |
How Waldo 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: 54.6%
- Black: 28.9%
- Hispanic: 11.2%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.1%
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: 16.2%
- HS Diploma: 52.2%
- Some College: 18.3%
- Associate's: 6.7%
- Bachelor's: 5.6%
- Graduate+: 1.1%
Waldo Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Alachua County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesville | 145,702 | $46,195 | 30.8% | $247,500 |
| Alachua | 10,743 | $83,464 | 9.5% | $299,200 |
| Newberry | 7,865 | $89,552 | 9.8% | $288,100 |
| High Springs | 6,544 | $94,421 | 13.6% | $320,700 |
| Hawthorne | 1,625 | $55,406 | 15.4% | $177,800 |
| Archer | 958 | $41,058 | 38.1% | $184,800 |
| Micanopy | 747 | $74,038 | 11.2% | $233,200 |
| La Crosse | 124 | N/A | 40.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Waldo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lacoochee | 1,289 | N/A | $109,000 | 12.2% | 14.4% |
| Gretna | 1,342 | $35,903 | $112,500 | 9.5% | 33.5% |
| Gotha | 1,124 | N/A | $745,500 | 54.6% | 4.5% |
| Plantation Mobile Home Park | 1,032 | N/A | N/A | 15.7% | 0.7% |
| Baldwin | 1,298 | $47,500 | $180,700 | 17.8% | 16.3% |
Population Overview
Waldo is a small community located in Florida, within Alachua County. The total population is 1,303. It ranks as the 746th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waldo is 47.5 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. 10.3% 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 Waldo is $29,894. This is 60% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 63% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.0%. This is 123% 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 17% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $113,600. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 68.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waldo is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 28.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (28.9% vs 14.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (11.2%) is well below the state average of 27.4%.
Education
6.7% 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 80% 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 83.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waldo, 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 Waldo, Florida?
Waldo, Florida has a population of 1,303 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waldo, FL?
The median household income in Waldo is $29,894, which is 63% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waldo, FL?
The poverty rate in Waldo is 28.0%. This means approximately 365 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waldo, Florida?
Waldo's population is 54.6% White, 28.9% Black, 11.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waldo, FL?
The median home value in Waldo is $113,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Waldo, Florida?
6.7% of adults (25+) in Waldo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.