Welaka, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Welaka, Florida had a total population of 1,082, the 771st largest town in Florida, with a median household income of $54,830, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.1%.
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 (27.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Welaka Quick Facts
How Welaka 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 | 1,059 | 1,082 | +2.2% |
| Median household income | $51,528 | $54,830 | +6.4% |
| Median home value | $271,200 | $283,100 | +4.4% |
How Welaka 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Welaka Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Putnam County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palatka | 10,650 | $32,021 | 37.3% | $150,500 |
| Crescent City | 1,944 | $33,971 | 31.7% | $192,600 |
| Interlachen | 1,923 | $47,950 | 29.9% | $152,500 |
| East Palatka | 1,494 | $73,718 | 27.2% | $246,600 |
| Pomona Park | 755 | $43,317 | 32.3% | $159,600 |
Cities Similar to Welaka
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeki Wachee Gardens | 1,068 | $56,765 | $414,400 | 19.7% | 46.0% |
| 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% |
| Harlem Heights | 1,122 | $57,014 | $196,300 | 22.5% | 4.9% |
| Mayo | 1,147 | $54,375 | $166,300 | 12.4% | 21.4% |
Population Overview
Welaka is a small community located in Florida, within Putnam County. The total population is 1,082. It ranks as the 771st most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Welaka is 53.5 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. Only 14.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 24.1% 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 Welaka is $54,830. This is 26% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.1%. This is 115% 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 7.1%. This is 47% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $283,100. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 80.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Welaka is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 37.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (37.1% vs 14.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (4.1%) is well below the state average of 27.4%.
Education
11.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% 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 87.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Welaka, 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 Welaka, Florida?
Welaka, Florida has a population of 1,082 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Welaka, FL?
The median household income in Welaka is $54,830, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Welaka, FL?
The poverty rate in Welaka is 27.1%. This means approximately 293 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Welaka, Florida?
Welaka's population is 45.9% White, 37.1% Black, 4.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Welaka, FL?
The median home value in Welaka is $283,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x.
How educated is Welaka, Florida?
11.7% of adults (25+) in Welaka hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.