Population 21,509 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Santa Rosa Beach
Household size in Santa Rosa Beach
| Period | Santa Rosa Beach | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.19 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.41 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.39 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.26 | 2.63 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.07 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Santa Rosa Beach are small: just 2.26 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has crept up from 2.19 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell.
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 Santa Rosa Beach
| Period | Santa Rosa Beach | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.8 | 40.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.0 | 42.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.5 | 43.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.5 | 43.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.6 | +2.7 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 47.5, Santa Rosa Beach is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 43.8 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. The youngest areas are in the north, the oldest in the southeast.
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 Santa Rosa Beach
| Period | Santa Rosa Beach | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.5% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.0% | 11.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.2% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −5.0 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Santa Rosa Beach: 4.2% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 5.0 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only 31 of the 512 Florida cities with 5,000+ people have a lower share of single-parent households.
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 Santa Rosa Beach
Renters in Santa Rosa Beach
| Period | Santa Rosa Beach | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.4% | 30.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 32.9% | 33.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.5% | 34.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.2% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −5.1 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 21.2% of households in Santa Rosa Beach rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 32.6% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the north; owners are most common in the west. The renter share has fallen 5.1 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 Santa Rosa Beach
| Period | Santa Rosa Beach | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.4% | 17.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 41.7% | 17.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 37.1% | 15.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 31.6% | 12.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −10.8 pts | −4.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Santa Rosa Beach: 31.6% 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. Vacancy has fallen 10.8 points since 2006–10, 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 Santa Rosa Beach
| Period | Santa Rosa Beach | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1998 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 2000 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 2003 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2008 | 1989 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +5 | +6 |
Santa Rosa Beach has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 2008, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1998 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the north, the oldest in the west. Only 19 of the 512 Florida cities with 5,000+ people have newer 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 Santa Rosa Beach
| Period | Santa Rosa Beach | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,264 | $1,092 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,285 | $1,123 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,530 | $1,323 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,258 | $1,816 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$995 | +$724 | +$606 |
The median renter in Santa Rosa Beach pays $2,258 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $995 a month since 2006–10, up 79%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 36.0% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. The priciest rents are in the southeast; the most affordable are in the center.
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 Santa Rosa Beach
Bachelor's degrees in Santa Rosa Beach
| Period | Santa Rosa Beach | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.9% | 26.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 40.5% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 41.5% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 49.3% | 34.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.3 pts | +8.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Santa Rosa Beach: 49.3% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.3 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 Santa Rosa Beach
| Period | Santa Rosa Beach | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 94.9% | 85.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.9% | 86.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.2% | 88.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.8% | 90.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.9 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Santa Rosa Beach: 95.8% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged up 0.9 points, a smaller shift than nationally. Santa Rosa Beach has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of Florida cities.
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 Santa Rosa Beach
| Period | Santa Rosa Beach | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.7% | 8.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.4% | 11.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 1.1% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.7% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Santa Rosa Beach runs below the national rate: 3.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.0 points, in line with the national trend. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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).
Santa Rosa Beach 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa Beach | 2.26 | 47.5 | 4.2% | 21.2% | 31.6% | 2008 | $2,258 | 49.3% | 95.8% | 3.7% |
| Grayton Beach | 2.37 | 38.8 | 3.9% | 31.3% | 20.5% | 2008 | $1,951 | 43.5% | 98.4% | 1.7% |
| Miramar Beach | 2.05 | 58.7 | 5.1% | 18.3% | 50.3% | 1998 | $2,269 | 51.2% | 99.1% | 5.7% |
| Portland | 2.64 | 41.9 | 3.5% | 12.6% | 10.7% | 2011 | $2,434 | 37.3% | 94.1% | 3.9% |
| Choctaw | 2.51 | 47.7 | 2.8% | 15.8% | 19.9% | 2011 | $2,289 | 42.3% | 97.5% | 2.3% |
| Freeport | 2.61 | 39.5 | 9.1% | 21.5% | 11.6% | 2008 | $2,034 | 30.6% | 92.9% | 3.2% |
| Rosemary Bch | 2.20 | 54.6 | 2.2% | 16.0% | 54.6% | 2011 | $2,529 | 60.6% | 97.8% | 4.2% |
| Destin | 2.30 | 44.1 | 11.0% | 31.2% | 27.2% | 1995 | $2,011 | 47.0% | 94.8% | 2.6% |
| Niceville | 2.58 | 43.0 | 4.8% | 21.3% | 10.0% | 1990 | $1,828 | 47.1% | 97.4% | 3.9% |
| Red Head | 2.62 | 46.8 | 10.3% | 16.0% | 13.4% | 1998 | $1,243 | 22.4% | 93.5% | 4.9% |
| Laguna Beach | 1.88 | 54.7 | 4.2% | 31.4% | 53.0% | 1991 | $1,598 | 37.1% | 95.2% | 3.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Maple Shade, NJ · Portland, TX · Port Wentworth, GA · Point Pleasant, NJ · Plymouth, IN · Mattoon, IL · Maryland City, MD · Marshfield, MA · Marlboro, NJ · Marcus Hook, PA
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 Santa Rosa Beach. 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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