Winter Haven, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Winter Haven, Florida had a total population of 55,200, the 74th largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $59,648, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Winter Haven Quick Facts
How Winter Haven 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 | 52,846 | 55,200 | +4.5% |
| Median household income | $59,604 | $59,648 | +0.1% |
| Median home value | $248,200 | $269,800 | +8.7% |
How Winter Haven 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+)
Winter Haven 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 |
| 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 |
| Medulla | 10,985 | $70,802 | 8.8% | $319,800 |
Cities Similar to Winter Haven
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradenton | 57,014 | $60,822 | $309,400 | 28.3% | 14.8% |
| Fountainebleau | 55,665 | $64,908 | $320,200 | 35.6% | 12.7% |
| Pinellas Park | 53,560 | $63,432 | $278,900 | 25.5% | 12.9% |
| Margate | 59,198 | $62,450 | $316,200 | 24.7% | 12.1% |
| North Miami | 60,344 | $57,188 | $365,000 | 25.1% | 18.9% |
Population Overview
Winter Haven is a mid-sized community located in Florida, within Polk County. The total population is 55,200. It ranks as the 74th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Winter Haven is 40.1 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 42.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Winter Haven is $59,648. This is 20% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.4%. This is 31% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $269,800. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 63.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Winter Haven 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 27.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (27.8% vs 14.6%).
Education
22.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 86.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Winter Haven, 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.
Free data download: Get all Florida city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Winter Haven, Florida?
Winter Haven, Florida has a population of 55,200 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Winter Haven, FL?
The median household income in Winter Haven is $59,648, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Winter Haven, FL?
The poverty rate in Winter Haven is 16.4%. This means approximately 8,912 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Winter Haven, Florida?
Winter Haven's population is 41.5% White, 27.8% Black, 24.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Winter Haven, FL?
The median home value in Winter Haven is $269,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Winter Haven, Florida?
22.0% of adults (25+) in Winter Haven hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.