Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Winter Haven, FL Population, Income & Demographics 2026

Showing latest census year. Full demographic history available with a paid plan. View plans →

Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

55,200

Median Agei

40.1

Race & Ethnicityi

White

41.5%22,926

Black

27.8%15,351

Hispanic/Latino

24.4%13,474

Two or More

3.8%2,092

Asian

1.6%880

Other

0.9%477

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

3.8%1,419

High School Diploma

31.3%11,802

Some College (<1 yr)

5.5%2,085

Some College (1+ yr)

15.2%5,720

Associate's Degree

8.7%3,291

Bachelor's Degree

14.7%5,543

Master's Degree

5.6%2,109

Professional Degree

0.8%305

Doctorate

0.9%356

HS or Higher

86.5%

BA or Higher

22%

Graduate+

7.3%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$269,800

Median Renti

$1,246

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

63.7%12,991

Renter-Occupied

36.3%7,405

Total Units

23,431

Homeownership

63.7%

Vacancy Rate

13%

Home Values

Under $50K

6.7%869

$50K–$100K

6.7%876

$100K–$150K

8.5%1,110

$150K–$200K

11%1,423

$200K–$300K

26.3%3,422

$300K–$500K

33.9%4,400

$500K–$1M

5.8%758

$1M+

1%133

Rent Distribution

Under $500

586

$500–$750

536

$750–$1,000

895

$1,000–$1,250

1,475

$1,250–$1,500

945

$1,500–$2,000

1,372

$2,000+

1,130

Year Built

2020 or later

5.8%1,358

2010–2019

17.8%4,170

2000–2009

19.6%4,603

1990–1999

6.4%1,494

1980–1989

16.6%3,883

1970–1979

15.3%3,590

1960–1969

6.4%1,499

1950–1959

5.7%1,341

1940–1949

1.9%453

1939 or earlier

4.4%1,040

Heating Fuel

Electricity

91.6%18,675

Utility Gas

4.5%911

No Fuel

2.1%419

Solar

1.4%282

Bottled/LP Gas

0.4%77

Fuel Oil

0.2%32

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$59,648

Mean Household Incomei

$78,841

Per Capita Incomei

$30,632

Poverty Ratei

16.1%

Unemploymenti

5.1%

Labor Forcei

25,831

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

7.8%1,599

$10K–$15K

4.9%1,002

$15K–$20K

3%616

$20K–$25K

4%825

$25K–$30K

4.6%929

$30K–$35K

4.9%1,005

$35K–$40K

3.3%670

$40K–$45K

4.4%890

$45K–$50K

4.1%829

$50K–$60K

9.4%1,913

$60K–$75K

11.5%2,352

$75K–$100K

12.2%2,487

$100K–$125K

8.4%1,716

$125K–$150K

4.6%938

$150K–$200K

7.6%1,548

$200K+

5.3%1,077

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

1,155

Residentsi

1,987

Avg. Tenant Renti

$416/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

13 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing132 homes87% occupied$410/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers404 homes78% occupied$496/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8620 homes94% occupied$365/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $59,648/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $18K/yr

64.3%

Very low income$18K–$30K/yr

27.8%

Low income$30K–$48K/yr

7.1%

Moderate / aboveOver $48K/yr

0.8%

Who Receives This Housing

79.9% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

71.7% of subsidized households are minority

15.8% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

55.4% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

7,34813.3%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

458

Guatemala

264

India

246

Canada

175

Philippines

141

China

Korea

United Kingdom

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

24,121

Avg. Commutei

28.4 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

24,487

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

2,721(6.3% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

87.6%Insured

12.4%Uninsured