City profile · Florida · Census ACS 2023

Winter Haven, FL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Winter Haven - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

52,846
Residents
$59,604
Median income
$248,200
Median home
$1,497
Median rent (state)

Winter Haven - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Winter Haven places in the 35th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

35th
percentile, household income
55th
percentile, home value
60th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Winter Haven, FL

52,846 people live in Winter Haven, Florida - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Winter Haven brings in $59,604 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 13.8%. Home values in Winter Haven run a median of $248,200, and the median resident age is 40.6 years. Educational attainment runs 22.2% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 53.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 1,061 residential building permits were authorized in Winter Haven (Rapid Growth), up 40% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 74.2°F with 52.0 inches of precipitation per year.

Florida carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Florida at 103.4 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Above Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,497 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Florida run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 96.5 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

52,846 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Florida

Median Household Income

$59,604 /yr

Poverty 13.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.4 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Florida average

How does Winter Haven compare to other US cities?

Winter Haven measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 35% higher than other cities
Home value 55% pricier than other cities
Median rent 60% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Winter Haven against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Florida only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Florida-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Winter Haven toward the top of Florida's cities

Among the 930 Florida cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Winter Haven ranks #232 - the 75th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Winter Haven only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#604 of 903
33rd percentile in Florida
Median Gross Rent
#648 of 930
26th percentile in Florida
Median Home Value
#575 of 894
36th percentile in Florida
Poverty Rate
#232 of 930
75th percentile in Florida
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#560 of 930
40th percentile in Florida

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Florida only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

35thIncome percentile

35th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Winter Haven's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$248,200 45th percentile more affordable than 45% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Winter Haven $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Winter Haven, FL Winter Haven, FL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Winter Haven, FL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Winter Haven, FL median $59,604/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Winter Haven, FL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Winter Haven, FL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
52,846
Median Income
$59,604
Median Home Value
$248,200
Median Age
40.6
Poverty Rate
13.8%
Labor force participation
53.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.2%

Climate

Avg Temperature
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
52.0"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"

Schools

Total Schools
20
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
45,000 residents50,000 residents55,000 residents60,000 residents65,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 50,692 residents 62,313 residents ▲ +22.9%
Winter Haven's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
1,061
housing units authorized
Single-Family
845
detached homes
Multifamily
216
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
20.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 757
2020 887
2021 1,007
2022 869
2023 1,153
2024 1,061

Permit volume increased 40% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
80.8%
Carpool
6.3%
Public Transit
0.3%
Walk
0.5%
Work from Home
9.8%
Other
2.3%

Based on 22,974 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Florida - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$145
avg/month
Natural Gas
$25
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Florida state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Florida state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Winter Haven sits in

Cost of Living Index
103.4
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,497/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
96.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Florida

Westchester
53,082 people
Pinellas Park
53,423 people
Kendale Lakes
52,141 people
Pensacola
54,011 people
Tamiami
51,201 people
Country Club
51,000 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Winter Haven's 52,846 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Elyria, OH
52,833 people
Normal, IL
52,908 people
Grand Island, NE
52,761 people
Novato, CA
52,689 people
Methuen, MA
53,043 people
Edina, MN
53,125 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Winter Haven's $59,604 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Midway, KY
$59,609 median income
Bonner-West Riverside, MT
$59,609 median income
Sugarcreek, PA
$59,594 median income
Strasburg, VA
$59,614 median income
South Charleston, WV
$59,616 median income
Spencer, MA
$59,618 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Winter Haven, FL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Winter Haven, FL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 49.7% 26.0% 10.1% 12.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 24.6% White 49.7% Black or African American 26.0% Asian 1.8% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 10.1% Two or more races 12.2% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Winter Haven compares to nearby Florida cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Winter Haven (this city) 52,846 $59,604
Westchester 53,082 $75,905
Pinellas Park 53,423 $62,043
Kendale Lakes 52,141 $69,150
Census ACS 5-year FIPS FL NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Winter Haven, FL?

What is the population of Winter Haven, FL? +

The population of Winter Haven, FL stands at 52,846 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Winter Haven, FL? +

The median household income in Winter Haven is $59,604 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Winter Haven? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Winter Haven; the closest available measure is the Florida state average, a cost of living index of 103.4 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Florida vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Winter Haven, FL? +

Winter Haven's median home value sits at $248,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Winter Haven? +

Climate normals put Winter Haven's yearly average temperature at 74.2°F, 52.0 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.