Willow Oak, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Willow Oak, Florida had a total population of 7,454, the 397th largest community in Florida, with a median household income of $65,688, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Willow Oak Quick Facts
How Willow Oak 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 | 7,299 | 7,454 | +2.1% |
| Median household income | $59,346 | $65,688 | +10.7% |
| Median home value | $241,600 | $276,300 | +14.4% |
How Willow Oak 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+)
Willow Oak 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 Willow Oak
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loughman | 7,591 | $66,273 | $336,000 | 22.1% | 10.3% |
| Lake Alfred | 7,277 | $67,202 | $239,900 | 24.4% | 9.4% |
| Inverness Highlands South | 7,449 | $60,750 | $216,800 | 14.8% | 8.7% |
| Indian River Estates | 7,685 | $64,063 | $280,400 | 20.6% | 20.6% |
| South Apopka | 7,300 | $61,151 | $280,500 | 18.7% | 28.1% |
Population Overview
Willow Oak is a small city located in Florida, within Polk County. The total population is 7,454. It ranks as the 397th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Willow Oak is 29.1 years. This is 32% lower than the state median of 42.6 years. With 35.4% of the population under 18, Willow Oak has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Willow Oak is $65,688. This is 12% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.7%. This is 97% 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 4.6%. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $276,300. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 49.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Willow Oak is Hispanic or Latino, making up 52.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 38.2%. The Black or African American population (5.7%) is well below the state average of 14.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (52.1% vs 27.4%).
Education
13.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 70.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Willow Oak, 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 Willow Oak, Florida?
Willow Oak, Florida has a population of 7,454 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Willow Oak, FL?
The median household income in Willow Oak is $65,688, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Willow Oak, FL?
The poverty rate in Willow Oak is 24.7%. This means approximately 1,832 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Willow Oak, Florida?
Willow Oak's population is 38.2% White, 5.7% Black, 52.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Willow Oak, FL?
The median home value in Willow Oak is $276,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Willow Oak, Florida?
13.4% of adults (25+) in Willow Oak hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.