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West Palm Beach, Florida Demographics & Population 2026

Highly DiverseNo single racial/ethnic group makes up a majority of the population

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West Palm Beach, Florida had a total population of 122,290, the 18th largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $73,446, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.1%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

West Palm Beach Quick Facts

Population 122,290
Median Household Income $73,446
Median Home Value $414,200
Poverty Rate 14.1%
Unemployment Rate 5.1%
Median Age 41.1 years
Homeownership Rate 50.5%
Affordability Ratio 5.6x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 39.2%
High School Graduation Rate 87.2%
Diversity Index 70/100
Population 122,290 18th of 955
Median Income $73,446 average
Poverty Rate 14.1% 14% higher than national
Median Home Value $414,200 above average

How West Palm Beach Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population119,508122,290+2.3%
Median household income$69,261$73,446+6.0%
Median home value$369,800$414,200+12.0%

How West Palm Beach Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 16.9%
$25K-$50K 16.9%
$50K-$100K 29.8%
$100K+ 36.4%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
5.5%
$10K-$15K
3.9%
$15K-$20K
3.5%
$20K-$25K
3.9%
$25K-$30K
3.1%
$30K-$35K
4.4%
$35K-$40K
3.4%
$40K-$45K
3.2%
$45K-$50K
2.8%
$50K-$60K
6.9%
$60K-$75K
10.4%
$75K-$100K
12.5%
$100K-$125K
11.3%
$125K-$150K
6.2%
$150K-$200K
8.4%
$200K+
10.6%

Employment

5.1% Unemployment Rate State: 4.8%|National: 5.2%
64.4% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 50.5%
Renter 49.5%
Affordability Index Expensive
5.6x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,772/mo 29.0% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

70out of 100
Very High Diversity

This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.

State average: 65 | National average: 61

Education

West Palm Beach Rankings in Florida

#18 Population of 955
#428 Median Income of 911
#286 Education of 955
#276 Home Value of 901

Other Cities in Palm Beach County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Boca Raton 100,234 $106,273 10.0% $722,700
Boynton Beach 81,435 $70,074 13.7% $351,100
Delray Beach 67,979 $82,041 13.0% $420,300
Wellington 62,146 $115,632 7.8% $599,400
Jupiter 61,883 $110,240 9.5% $608,600
Palm Beach Gardens 60,959 $106,947 7.2% $606,100
Greenacres 44,373 $70,491 14.8% $291,000
Lake Worth Beach 43,365 $61,200 21.2% $401,200
The Acreage 40,843 $109,032 4.6% $524,800
Royal Palm Beach 40,344 $96,027 5.9% $437,700

Cities Similar to West Palm Beach

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Spring Hill119,983$68,432$288,50019.9%11.8%
Brandon119,767$79,685$339,00033.8%11.4%
Palm Bay130,132$72,614$283,20024.0%11.7%
Lakeland119,961$64,185$249,40029.4%13.2%
Clearwater117,247$66,381$361,30032.6%14.8%

Population Overview

West Palm Beach is a major urban center located in Florida, within Palm Beach County. The total population is 122,290. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.

Age Demographics

The median age in West Palm Beach is 41.1 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 42.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in West Palm Beach is $73,446. This is 2% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.1%. This is 13% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $414,200. Housing costs are 15% higher than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x. 50.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 67.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

West Palm Beach is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 32.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (32.2% vs 14.6%).

Education

39.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% higher 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 87.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for West Palm Beach, 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 West Palm Beach, Florida?

West Palm Beach, Florida has a population of 122,290 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in West Palm Beach, FL?

The median household income in West Palm Beach is $73,446, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in West Palm Beach, FL?

The poverty rate in West Palm Beach is 14.1%. This means approximately 16,767 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of West Palm Beach, Florida?

West Palm Beach's population is 36.2% White, 32.2% Black, 24.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.7% Asian.

What is the median home value in West Palm Beach, FL?

The median home value in West Palm Beach is $414,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x.

How educated is West Palm Beach, Florida?

39.2% of adults (25+) in West Palm Beach hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.