Population 35,166 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Key West
Household size in Key West
| Period | Key West | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.64 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.78 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.39 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.40 | 2.63 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.24 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Key West is a place of small households, averaging 2.40 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.64 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the east and smallest in the southwest.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Key West
| Period | Key West | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.2 | 40.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.6 | 42.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.8 | 43.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.2 | 43.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +6.0 | +2.7 | +2.3 |
Key West skews older: half of its residents are older than 46.2, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 40.2 in 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Key West
| Period | Key West | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.6% | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.2% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.7% | 11.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.2% of households in Key West, well below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 1.4 points, in line with the national trend.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Key West
Renters in Key West
| Period | Key West | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 50.5% | 30.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 52.4% | 33.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 55.5% | 34.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 50.0% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Key West: 50.0% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among owners, 47.2% have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Only 37 of the 512 Florida cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Key West
| Period | Key West | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.5% | 17.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 30.5% | 17.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.0% | 15.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.4% | 12.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −8.1 pts | −4.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Key West: 21.4% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 8.1 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Key West
| Period | Key West | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1972 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1971 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1970 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1972 | 1989 | 1980 |
| Change | −0 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Key West run older than the national norm, with a median build year of 1972 against 1980. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the southwest. Of the 512 Florida cities with 5,000+ people, only 39 have older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Key West
| Period | Key West | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,358 | $1,092 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,512 | $1,123 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,756 | $1,323 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,291 | $1,816 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$932 | +$724 | +$606 |
The median renter in Key West pays $2,291 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $932 a month from 2006–10, a 69% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 40.5% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the south and lowest in the west.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Key West
Bachelor's degrees in Key West
| Period | Key West | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.0% | 26.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 26.5% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 32.2% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 37.9% | 34.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +11.9 pts | +8.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
Nearly four in ten adults 25 and older in Key West (37.9%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is higher than in Florida as a whole (34.6%). Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 11.9 points, as it has nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Key West
| Period | Key West | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.7% | 85.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.0% | 86.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.6% | 88.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.1% | 90.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.4 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
About nine in ten adults in Key West have finished high school (92.1%), a bit above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 6.4 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Key West
| Period | Key West | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.4% | 8.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.5% | 11.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.4% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.4% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.1 pts | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Key West has been strong: just 2.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Of the 512 Florida cities with 5,000+ people, only 37 have lower unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.1 points, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Key West compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key West | 2.40 | 46.2 | 8.2% | 50.0% | 21.4% | 1972 | $2,291 | 37.9% | 92.1% | 2.4% |
| Sugarloaf Shores | 2.35 | 52.6 | 12.2% | 16.0% | 31.7% | 1992 | $2,272 | 39.0% | 95.4% | 7.6% |
| Cudjoe Key | 2.26 | 61.2 | 10.2% | 29.3% | 43.3% | 2001 | $1,732 | 40.6% | 98.7% | 0.0% |
| Summerland Key | 2.30 | 51.1 | 6.3% | 17.1% | 37.3% | 1991 | $2,217 | 46.0% | 96.6% | 4.1% |
| Big Pine Key | 2.25 | 51.8 | 7.7% | 11.7% | 37.2% | 1987 | $2,142 | 31.2% | 97.4% | 2.1% |
| Rock Harbor | 2.28 | 51.3 | 1.4% | 4.7% | 37.1% | 1986 | $2,321 | 33.9% | 96.7% | 1.7% |
| Marathon | 2.45 | 46.8 | 6.1% | 39.5% | 39.9% | 1984 | $1,825 | 34.0% | 90.8% | 3.9% |
| Key Colony Beach | 1.88 | 68.8 | 4.6% | 25.0% | 66.0% | 1983 | $2,488 | 38.8% | 97.3% | 0.0% |
| Long Key | 1.80 | 65.3 | 0.9% | 24.9% | 74.4% | 1984 | $2,075 | 40.9% | 97.9% | 10.7% |
| Layton | 1.80 | 65.3 | 0.9% | 24.9% | 74.4% | 1984 | $2,075 | 40.9% | 97.9% | 10.7% |
| Plantation Key | 2.28 | 59.3 | 5.3% | 12.9% | 65.8% | 1983 | $1,730 | 29.3% | 95.7% | 0.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Sylvania, OH · Greenfield, IN · Greenville, TX · Harker Heights, TX · Havertown, PA · Huntington Station, NY · La Porte, TX · Manchester, CT · Manhattan Beach, CA · Mattapan, MA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Key West. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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