Population 459,547 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Sarasota County
Household size in Sarasota County
| Period | Sarasota County | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.27 | 2.40 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.26 | 2.42 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.35 | 2.53 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.20 | 2.35 | 2.63 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.07 | −0.04 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Sarasota County are small: just 2.20 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 edged down from 2.27 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only two of Florida's 67 counties have smaller households.
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 Sarasota County
| Period | Sarasota County | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 51.6 | 48.6 | 40.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 53.1 | 49.9 | 42.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 54.3 | 51.4 | 43.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 55.0 | 52.0 | 43.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.4 | +3.4 | +2.7 | +2.3 |
Sarasota County skews older: half of its residents are older than 55.0, 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 51.6 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of Florida's 67 counties, only three are older.
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 Sarasota County
| Period | Sarasota County | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.1% | 9.4% | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.0% | 9.0% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.9% | 8.0% | 11.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.7% | 7.2% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −2.2 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Sarasota County: 6.7% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has edged down 1.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only two of Florida's 67 counties 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 Sarasota County
Renters in Sarasota County
| Period | Sarasota County | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.6% | 24.0% | 30.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.5% | 27.8% | 33.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 25.1% | 26.0% | 34.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 23.3% | 24.4% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | +0.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Sarasota County is largely a place of homeowners: only 23.3% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About half of owners (49.1%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has edged up 0.7 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Sarasota County
| Period | Sarasota County | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.8% | 21.0% | 17.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.6% | 20.3% | 17.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.0% | 20.2% | 15.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.3% | 16.8% | 12.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.4 pts | −4.1 pts | −4.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 16.3% of the housing in Sarasota County, 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 5.4 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Sarasota County
| Period | Sarasota County | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1985 | 1985 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1985 | 1986 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1986 | 1987 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1990 | 1993 | 1989 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +8 | +5 | +6 |
Sarasota County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1990, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1985 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the east, while the northwest has the oldest housing.
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 Sarasota County
| Period | Sarasota County | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,136 | $1,142 | $1,092 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,099 | $1,131 | $1,123 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,440 | $1,399 | $1,323 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,986 | $1,992 | $1,816 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$850 | +$850 | +$724 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Sarasota County costs $1,986 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $850 a month from 2006–10, a 75% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 35.3% 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 west; the most affordable are in the south.
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 Sarasota County
Bachelor's degrees in Sarasota County
| Period | Sarasota County | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.5% | 27.4% | 26.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 30.5% | 29.2% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 34.9% | 32.4% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 40.3% | 39.7% | 34.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +11.8 pts | +12.4 pts | +8.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
About four in ten adults 25 and older in Sarasota County (40.3%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a bit above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 11.8 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Few Florida counties have a higher share of college graduates: only four of 67.
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 Sarasota County
| Period | Sarasota County | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 90.4% | 88.4% | 85.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.1% | 89.8% | 86.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.9% | 91.2% | 88.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.6% | 93.1% | 90.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.2 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Sarasota County: 94.6% 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 risen 4.2 points, mirroring the country. Only two of Florida's 67 counties have a higher share of high school graduates.
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 Sarasota County
| Period | Sarasota County | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.1% | 8.9% | 8.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.9% | 9.7% | 11.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.4% | 5.1% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.8% | 4.1% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.3 pts | −4.8 pts | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in Sarasota County than nationally: unemployment was 3.8%, against 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 5.3 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. 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).
Sarasota County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarasota County | 2.20 | 55.0 | 6.7% | 23.3% | 16.3% | 1990 | $1,986 | 40.3% | 94.6% | 3.8% |
| Manatee County | 2.50 | 49.3 | 7.7% | 25.7% | 17.3% | 1996 | $1,998 | 39.2% | 91.7% | 4.4% |
| Charlotte County | 2.22 | 58.3 | 6.0% | 16.2% | 20.0% | 1992 | $1,573 | 26.9% | 92.7% | 4.9% |
| DeSoto County | 2.64 | 45.3 | 13.3% | 27.5% | 18.2% | 1988 | $918 | 11.7% | 73.9% | 9.7% |
| Hardee County | 3.12 | 36.6 | 17.4% | 28.6% | 16.0% | 1988 | $985 | 12.1% | 75.6% | 4.8% |
| Pinellas County | 2.29 | 48.7 | 9.0% | 30.5% | 15.7% | 1975 | $1,754 | 36.4% | 92.6% | 4.6% |
| Hillsborough County | 2.66 | 38.8 | 12.1% | 38.5% | 8.0% | 1991 | $1,830 | 37.9% | 89.4% | 4.6% |
| Lee County | 2.59 | 48.5 | 9.5% | 25.7% | 19.9% | 1997 | $1,840 | 31.3% | 90.2% | 4.1% |
| Highlands County | 2.28 | 52.1 | 9.0% | 21.4% | 18.3% | 1986 | $1,160 | 20.7% | 86.3% | 6.8% |
| Polk County | 2.80 | 40.5 | 13.1% | 29.5% | 14.4% | 1992 | $1,499 | 23.4% | 87.7% | 4.9% |
| Pasco County | 2.67 | 44.0 | 9.6% | 24.3% | 11.4% | 1995 | $1,742 | 31.1% | 91.8% | 4.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Onondaga County, NY · Richland County, SC · Polk County, IA · Plymouth County, MA · Placer County, CA · Pinal County, AZ · Passaic County, NJ · Osceola County, FL · Orleans Parish, LA · Orange County, NY
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 Sarasota County. 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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