State
Land Area
14.7 sq mi
Density
4,032.60/sq mi
2020 Growth Rate
0.92%
Growth Since 2010
14.34%
Rank in State
Rank in Country
Metro Population
869,553
Sarasota is a city located in Florida. With a 2020 population of 59,363, it is the 53rd largest city in Florida and the 647th largest city in the United States. Sarasota is currently growing at a rate of 0.92% annually and its population has increased by 14.34% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 51,917 in 2010. Sarasota reached it's highest population of 59,363 in 2021. Spanning over 24 miles, Sarasota has a population density of 4,033 people per square mile.
The average household income in Sarasota is $87,493 with a poverty rate of 15.72%. The median rental costs in recent years comes to $1,134 per month, and the median house value is $268,400. The median age in Sarasota is 49.2 years, 46.2 years for males, and 52.4 years for females. For every 100 females there are 95.0 males.
Sarasota is a city located in the state of Florida. Specifically, it is located in Sarasota County, where it is the county seat. Sarasota is located along Florida’s southwestern coast and includes the Sarasota Bay and multiple barrier islands.
Over 16% of the population lives below the federal poverty line. Some of the city’s top employers include Board’s Head, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Aviation Recorders, and Doctors Hospital of Sarasota.
Sarasota has primarily seen growth in its population since the 1910 census. The city’s population was over 11,000 by 1940 before tripling in 1960. The city reached over 50,000 residents at the time of the 1990 census and continued to grow through the next decade. However, at the time of the 2010 census, the population had dropped by 1.5%. However, current estimates show that the population has since rebounded and has grown by 9% since the last census, indicating that this coastal city has much growth in its future.
Sarasota’s history began over 10,000 years ago, with research showing that native people occupied it. Europeans first discovered the area in the early 1500s. In 1539, the city was named “ZaraSota” by Hernando de Soto. At this time, Sarasota was not settled but was instead a place for fishing camps.
During the 1800s, Sarasota was the site of Fort Armistead. Because of epidemics, however, the fort was abandoned. Many of the natives were also killed by these illnesses, while the remaining inhabitants were forced to move south.
European cities began arriving at what was now known as Zara Zote during the 1840s. As the area was settled, it took on the name Sara Sota before becoming Sarasota. The village was incorporated as a town in 1902. It was later incorporated as a city in 1913.
Throughout the early 20th century, the city began to expand, taking over the neighboring communities. The city grew with the development of grand estates along Shell Beach, a hotel, and the railroad. An interesting fact is that Sarasota attracted members of the Ringling family of the Ringling Brothers Circus.
After World War I was when the city began to see growth, with many moving here to find jobs. Unfortunately, the city was affected by the Great Depression, like many others. Many of the city’s wealthiest residents went into bankruptcy following the market crash. However, just as other cities did, Sarasota did recover from this financial crisis. However, many years later, an economic crisis would once again plague the city. Sarasota is believed to be an epicenter of the real estate crash of 2008, which affected much of the United States.
Today, the city is a mix of history and modern attractions. Many historic homes and neighborhoods remain intact, while other areas of the city have been updated with shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses. The city’s economy is primarily based on tourism, with many coming to the city to enjoy the beautiful beaches and all that Sarasota has to offer.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Sarasota was:
2019 and 2020 population is estimated by projecting the raw 2018 numbers.
Year | Total Population | Growth | Annual Growth Rate |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | 869,553 | 16,279 | 1.87% |
2020 | 853,274 | 16,279 | 1.91% |
2019 | 836,995 | 16,279 | 1.94% |
2018 | 820,716 | 15,530 | 1.89% |
2017 | 805,186 | 16,845 | 2.09% |
2016 | 788,341 | 21,032 | 2.67% |
2015 | 767,309 | 20,081 | 2.62% |
2014 | 747,228 | 15,432 | 2.07% |
2013 | 731,796 | 11,515 | 1.57% |
2012 | 720,281 | 10,506 | 1.46% |
2011 | 709,775 | 6,421 | 0.90% |
2010 | 703,354 | 0.00% |
Race | Population | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White | 45,861 | 80.57% |
Black or African American | 8,100 | 14.23% |
Two or More Races | 1,107 | 1.94% |
Asian | 946 | 1.66% |
Some Other Race | 747 | 1.31% |
American Indian and Alaska Native | 158 | 0.28% |
Type | Count | Average Size | Owned |
---|---|---|---|
All | 24,447 | 2.19 | 57.6 |
Non Family | 12,635 | 1.32 | 51.1 |
Married | 8,659 | 2.88 | 73.1 |
Female | 2,471 | 3.82 | 38.1 |
Male | 682 | 3.38 | 52.2 |
3
Average Family Size
2.19
Average Household Size
Education Attained | Count | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Less Than 9th Grade | 1,761 | 3.95% |
9th to 12th Grade | 2,946 | 6.61% |
High School Graduate | 11,589 | 26.01% |
Some College | 9,149 | 20.54% |
Associates Degree | 2,867 | 6.44% |
Bachelors Degree | 9,482 | 21.28% |
Graduate Degree | 6,755 | 15.16% |
Name | Total | High School | Bachelors |
---|---|---|---|
White | 32,097 | 30,223 | 14,139 |
Hispanic | 6,324 | 4,679 | 1,067 |
Black | 5,197 | 4,130 | 531 |
Other Race | 689 | 535 | 110 |
Asian | 668 | 625 | 304 |
Multiple Races | 456 | 364 | 153 |
Native American | 111 | 93 | 73 |
The highest rate of high school graduation is among white people with a rate of 94.16%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among native american people with a rate of 65.77%.
$31,653
Average Earnings
$34,400
Average Male
$29,157
Average Female
80.12% of Sarasota residents speak only English, while 19.88% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Spanish, which is spoken by 13.94% of the population.
Name | Total | In Poverty | Poverty Rate |
---|---|---|---|
White | 35,387 | 3,303 | 9.33% |
Black | 7,702 | 2,845 | 36.94% |
Hispanic | 9,434 | 2,044 | 21.67% |
Multiple | 986 | 176 | 17.85% |
Asian | 852 | 164 | 19.25% |
Other | 745 | 99 | 13.29% |
15.72%
Overall Poverty Rate
14.72%
Male Poverty Rate
16.67%
Female Poverty Rate
The race most likely to be in poverty in Sarasota is Black, with 36.94% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in Sarasota is White, with 9.33% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 4.10%. Among those working part-time, it was 19.64%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 19.23%.
39.4%
Overall Marriage Rate
41.8%
Male Marriage Rate
37.1%
Female Marriage Rate
The age group where males are most likely to be married is Over 65, while the female age group most likely to be married is 55-64.
Name | Veterans | % of Total |
---|---|---|
White | 4,231 | 10.41% |
Black | 359 | 6.00% |
Hispanic | 258 | 3.64% |
2 or More | 60 | 9.68% |
Other | 12 | 1.61% |
11.38%
Veteran Poverty Rate
35.23%
Veteran Disability Rate
54.5%
Labor Force Participation
52.3%
Employment Rate
4%
Unemployment Rate
Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
81.96%
Native Born
18.04%
Foreign Born
10.32%
Non Citizen
7.72%
Naturalized
81.96% of Sarasota residents were born in the United States, with 29.93% having been born in Florida. 10.32% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Latin America.
Year | Population | Growth | Annual Growth Rate |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | 59,363 | 539 | 0.92% |
2020 | 58,824 | 539 | 0.92% |
2019 | 58,285 | 539 | 0.93% |
2018 | 57,746 | 561 | 0.98% |
2017 | 57,185 | 745 | 1.32% |
2016 | 56,440 | 1,484 | 2.70% |
2015 | 54,956 | 941 | 1.74% |
2014 | 54,015 | 866 | 1.63% |
2013 | 53,149 | 195 | 0.37% |
2012 | 52,954 | 427 | 0.81% |
2011 | 52,527 | 308 | 0.59% |
2010 | 52,219 | -496 | -0.09% |
2000 | 52,715 | 1,754 | 0.34% |
1990 | 50,961 | 2,093 | 0.42% |
1980 | 48,868 | 8,631 | 1.96% |
1970 | 40,237 | 6,154 | 1.67% |
1960 | 34,083 | 15,187 | 6.08% |
1950 | 18,896 | 7,755 | 5.43% |
1940 | 11,141 | 2,743 | 2.87% |
1930 | 8,398 | 0.00% |