County · Florida
Gulf County, Florida
Gulf County, Florida. Gulf County had 15,943 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 12.3% since 2020, faster than Florida (+8.9%). It holds 2 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 12045.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
15,943
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,192 · ACS 2020-2024: 15,131
Median household income
$61,179
±$5,548 (90% margin)
Florida: $74,568
Median home value
$250,000
±$29,223 (90% margin)
Florida: $359,000
Median gross rent
$1,187
±$122 (90% margin)
Florida: $1,669
How many people live in Gulf County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 14,192 residents in Gulf County. The Census Bureau estimates 15,943 for July 1, 2025, up 12.3% since 2020, faster than Florida (+8.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 15,131 over 553 square miles of land.
| Measure | Gulf County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 15,131 | 22,416,077 | −445 |
| Households | 5,944±370 | 8,752,810 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.11±0.12 | 2.51 | −0.17 |
| Housing units | 9,362±83 | 10,256,470 | −205 |
Gulf County's population since 2000
From 13,332 in 2000 to 15,943 in 2025: up 19.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Gulf County?
Gulf County holds 2 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Port St. Joe with 3,995 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Port St. Joe | 3,357 | $55,542 |
|---|---|---|
| Wewahitchka | 2,074 | $43,674 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Gulf County?
The median resident of Gulf County is 46.9 years old; 15.1% are under 18 and 23.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 76.6%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 13.5%. 3.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Gulf County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.9±1.0 | 42.6 | +2.0 |
| Under 18 years | 15.1%±0.5 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.7%±0.9 pts | 21.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.9% | 27.4% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 76.6%±0.6 pts | 50.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 13.5%±0.9 pts | 14.6% | −3.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.1%±1.1 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.8%±1.0 pts | 21.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.9%±1.0 pts | 30.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.8%±1.8 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 20.2%±2.9 pts | 13.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.3%±2.2 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.0%±2.2 pts | 89.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.5%±3.4 pts | 34.1% | +4.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.5%±1.9 pts | 12.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±0.6 pts | 2.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Gulf County earn?
Half of Gulf County's 5,944 households earn less than $61,179 a year (±$5,548), against $74,568 in Florida. In 2015-2019 it was $58,719 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Gulf County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,179±$5,548 | $74,568 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $91,140±$11,159 | $105,967 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,156±$4,826 | $42,609 | +$8,540 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.5%±2.8 pts | 12.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.5%±6.2 pts | 16.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.0%±3.6 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.9%±3.1 pts | 91.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Gulf County?
Owners occupy 80.8% of Gulf County's occupied homes and renters 19.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $250,000 by its owner (±$29,223). The median renter pays $1,187 a month including utilities, and 53.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Gulf County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $250,000±$29,223 | $359,000 | +$52,227 |
| Median gross rent | $1,187±$122 | $1,669 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 53.0%±14.1 pts | 50.2% | +17.8 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,511±$153 | $1,959 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 80.8%±3.5 pts | 67.6% | +6.6 pts |
| Housing units | 9,362±83 | 10,256,470 | −205 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.6%±2.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 39.5%±8.6 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 65.9%±3.6 pts | 54.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 17.9%±2.4 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 4.4%±1.7 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.3%±1.5 pts | 1.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Gulf County building?
Builders took permits for 302 new housing units across Gulf County in 2025 (302 single-family), 18.9 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Gulf County get to work?
68.5% of Gulf County's workers drive alone and 9.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.6%.
| Measure | Gulf County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 41.8%±2.6 pts | 59.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.6%±1.4 pts | 4.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 68.5%±5.1 pts | 70.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 16.1%±3.3 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.0 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Walked | 2.6%±2.9 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.3%±3.1 pts | 15.7% | +4.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.1 min±2.4 | 28.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Gulf County's census tracts?
Gulf County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $52,636 (Tract 9601.01) to $66,295 (Tract 9602).
| Tract 9601.0112045960101 | 3,387±378 | $52,636 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9601.0212045960102 | 4,114±302 | $61,339 |
| Tract 960212045960200 | 3,025±404 | $66,295 |
| Tract 9603.0112045960301 | 1,238±190 | $58,571 |
| Tract 9603.0212045960302 | 3,367±307 | $62,930 |
| Tract 990012045990000 | 0±15 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Gulf County compare with Florida's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 60th of 67 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 22nd of 67 |
| Residents per square mile | 59th of 67 |
| Median household income | 45th of 67 |
| Median home value | 40th of 67 |
| Median gross rent | 39th of 67 |
| Poverty rate | 37th of 67 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36th of 67 |
| Median age | 18th of 67 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Gulf County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.