Waverly, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waverly, Florida had a total population of 187, the 919th largest community in Florida. The poverty rate is 15.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.1% is notably above the national average.
Waverly Quick Facts
How Waverly 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 | 302 | 187 | -38.1% |
How Waverly 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waverly 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 Waverly
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lloyd | 187 | N/A | $170,400 | 0.0% | 33.2% |
| Bayport | 189 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 91.0% |
| Berrydale | 185 | $80,714 | N/A | 9.7% | 20.0% |
| Tildenville | 183 | $71,589 | $555,100 | 24.0% | 0.0% |
| Trilby | 197 | N/A | $729,200 | 76.5% | 10.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 187, Waverly's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Waverly is a small community located in Florida, within Polk County. The total population is 187. It ranks as the 919th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waverly is 59.5 years. This is 40% higher than the state median of 42.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 15.0%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 13.1%. This is 171% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. 89.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Waverly has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.4% vs 50.4%). The Hispanic or Latino population (8.6%) is well below the state average of 27.4%.
Education
0.0% 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. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waverly, 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 Waverly, Florida?
Waverly, Florida has a population of 187 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waverly, FL?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Waverly — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waverly, FL?
The poverty rate in Waverly is 15.0%. This means approximately 28 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waverly, Florida?
Waverly's population is 91.4% White, 0.0% Black, 8.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waverly, FL?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Waverly — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Waverly, Florida?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Waverly hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.