Wildwood, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wildwood, Florida had a total population of 17,608, the 228th largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $76,552, which is 3% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.8%.
Wildwood Quick Facts
How Wildwood 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 | 6,838 | 17,608 | +157.5% |
| Median household income | $51,650 | $76,552 | +48.2% |
| Median home value¹ | $208,113 | $451,600 | +117.0% |
| Median gross rent | $1,191 | $1,519 | No clear change (+27.5%) |
How Wildwood 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: 78.8%
- Black: 8.5%
- Hispanic: 5.7%
- Asian: 1.6%
- Other: 0.7%
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+)
- < High School: 5.9%
- HS Diploma: 23.7%
- Some College: 18.6%
- Associate's: 11.9%
- Bachelor's: 26.6%
- Graduate+: 13.3%
Wildwood Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Sumter County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Panasoffkee | 4,768 | $44,531 | 30.4% | $153,000 |
| Bushnell | 3,187 | $52,717 | 13.4% | $67,600 |
| Webster | 1,574 | $66,250 | 25.0% | $272,100 |
| Center Hill | 1,304 | $68,375 | 11.0% | $228,000 |
| Coleman | 705 | $54,063 | 10.7% | $161,800 |
Cities Similar to Wildwood
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Venice | 17,484 | $77,097 | $337,300 | 25.5% | 12.5% |
| Mount Dora | 17,278 | $74,537 | $381,900 | 38.6% | 11.8% |
| Upper Grand Lagoon | 17,232 | $82,157 | $373,200 | 37.0% | 8.1% |
| Auburndale | 18,530 | $77,911 | $296,200 | 19.7% | 9.6% |
| Vero Beach | 17,042 | $69,758 | $391,900 | 39.1% | 16.1% |
Population Overview
Wildwood is a small city located in Florida, within Sumter County. The total population is 17,608. It ranks as the 228th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wildwood is 64.2 years. This is 51% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. Only 10.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 15.3% 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 Wildwood is $76,552. This is 3% higher than the state median of $74,568. It is also 5% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.8%. This is 2% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 7.5%. This is 56% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $451,600. Housing costs are 26% higher than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x. 77.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wildwood is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (78.8% vs 50.4%). The Hispanic or Latino population (5.7%) is well below the state average of 27.4%.
Education
39.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% 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 94.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wildwood, 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 Wildwood, Florida?
Wildwood, Florida has a population of 17,608 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wildwood, FL?
The median household income in Wildwood is $76,552, which is 5% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wildwood, FL?
The poverty rate in Wildwood is 12.8%. This means approximately 2,216 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wildwood, Florida?
Wildwood's population is 78.8% White, 8.5% Black, 5.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wildwood, FL?
The median home value in Wildwood is $451,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x.
How educated is Wildwood, Florida?
39.9% of adults (25+) in Wildwood hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.