Key West is a city located in Monroe County Florida. Key West has a 2024 population of 24,684. It is also the county seat of Monroe County. Key West is currently declining at a rate of -1.67% annually and its population has decreased by -6.36% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 26,360 in 2020.
The average household income in Key West is $126,028 with a poverty rate of 13.22%. The median age in Key West is 44.9 years: 44.3 years for males, and 45.3 years for females.
Key West includes the island of Key West, part of Stock Island and other nearby islands. This city is a popular tourist destination and is known for its stunning beaches and many points of interest.
Over three-quarters of the population speak English, while over 17% speak Spanish. Other languages spoken in Key West include French, German and Italian.
Key West has seen its share of highs and lows when it comes to its population. The city reached over 18,000 residents in 1890 before dropping by over 5%. The community began to grow again before declining again in 1920 and 1930. This pattern has continued, with the population reaching its peak in 1960. While the population was down in 2010, recent data show that it is on the rise again, growing 9.5% since the 2010 census.
The Calusa tribe first inhabited the island of Key West. The Europeans first discovered it in 1521. When Florida came under the control of Spain, a fishing village was established.
Great Britain gained control of the state in 1763, and the Spanish and Native American inhabitants were moved to Havana, Cuba. Though the Spanish regained control 20 years later, the city was not officially resettled. It only became a place for the Cuban and British to use for fishing.
It was in 1815 when the governor of Cuba [deeded the island to Juan Pablo Salas](http://fcit.usf.edu/Florida/docs/k/keys03.htm). When the state was sold to the U.S. six years later, Salas sold the island. He sold it twice, and the two men moved quickly to beat each other at securing the rights to the island. The island went to businessman John Simonton, who subdivided the island.
Throughout the 1800s, the city began to grow and was the wealthiest city per capita, in the country. A naval base was constructed, leaving the island in the hands of the Union during the Civil War. Major industries during this time were salvaging, fishing and salt manufacturing. Salt production halted during the Civil War but resumed at the end of the war until the industry was affected by a hurricane and never recovered.
By the end of the 19th century, Key West was the wealthiest and largest city in the state. At the beginning of the 20th century, the island was connected to the mainland in 1912 via the Overseas Railroad. The Overseas Highway was built in the 1930s which encouraged further growth. Pan American Airlines was also founded during the early 20th century.
In recent years, the city has continued to expand with the addition of shopping centers, malls, schools, and an airport. The city is a popular tourist destination and is a port of call for many cruise lines. The Naval Air Station Key West remains in business and is a training center for naval aviation.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Key West was:
Race | Population | Percentage (of total) |
---|---|---|
White | 17,872 | 68.53% |
Black or African American | 3,536 | 13.56% |
Two or more races | 2,977 | 11.42% |
Other race | 1,183 | 4.54% |
Asian | 451 | 1.73% |
Native American | 38 | 0.15% |
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 21 | 0.08% |
White
Black or African American
Two or more races
Other race
Asian
Native American
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Household Type | Count | Average Size | Owner | Renter |
---|---|---|---|---|
All | 11,161 | 2.24 | 46.2 | 53.8 |
Non Family | 5,312 | 1.49 | 36.8 | 63.2 |
Married | 4,621 | 2.74 | 60.7 | 39.3 |
Female | 853 | 3.36 | 29.3 | 70.7 |
Male | 375 | 3.96 | 39.5 | 60.5 |
2.75
Average Family Size
2.24
Average Household Size
46.2%
Rate of Home Ownership
Married
Male
Female
NonFamily
owner
renter
Male
Female
Education Attained | Count | Percentage |
---|---|---|
9th to 12th Grade | 702 | 3.38% |
Associates Degree | 1,552 | 7.48% |
Bachelors Degree | 4,952 | 23.87% |
Graduate Degree | 3,398 | 16.38% |
High School Graduate | 5,525 | 26.63% |
Less Than 9th Grade | 619 | 2.98% |
Some College | 4,002 | 19.29% |
Less Than 9th Grade
9th to 12th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Associates Degree
Bachelors Degree
Graduate Degree
High School Graduation Rate
Bachelors Rate
Race | Total | High School | Bachelors |
---|---|---|---|
White | 13,116 | 12,720 | 6,216 |
Hispanic | 4,597 | 3,975 | 1,194 |
Black | 2,295 | 1,986 | 513 |
2+ Races | 2,105 | 2,019 | 710 |
Other Race | 912 | 763 | 357 |
Asian | 361 | 337 | 182 |
Islander | 21 | 0 | 0 |
Native American | 19 | 17 | 0 |
The highest rate of high school graduation is among white people with a rate of 96.98%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among asian people with a rate of 50.42%.
All
Male
Female
Name | Average | Male | Female |
---|---|---|---|
Bachelors Degree | $52,657 | $57,732 | $43,182 |
Graduate Degree | $61,680 | $96,094 | $54,718 |
High School Graduate | $37,136 | $40,024 | $33,168 |
Less Than 9th Grade | $28,207 | $31,033 | $24,025 |
Overall | $43,430 | $47,348 | $38,666 |
Some College | $42,299 | $47,390 | $34,256 |
$43,430
Average Earnings
$47,348
Average Male
$38,666
Average Female
Only English
Spanish
Other Indo-European Languages
Asian and Pacific Island Languages
Other Languages
79.05% of Key West residents speak only English, while 20.95% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Spanish, which is spoken by 14.42% of the population.
rate
Name | Total | In Poverty | Poverty Rate |
---|---|---|---|
White | 15,128 | 1,307 | 8.64% |
Black | 3,401 | 971 | 28.55% |
Hispanic | 5,761 | 924 | 16.04% |
Multiple | 2,890 | 460 | 15.92% |
Other | 1,171 | 268 | 22.89% |
Asian | 422 | 38 | 9% |
Native | 36 | 18 | 50% |
Islander | 12 | 12 | 100% |
13.22%
Overall Poverty Rate
12.48%
Male Poverty Rate
14.06%
Female Poverty Rate
The race most likely to be in poverty in Key West is Islander, with 100% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in Key West is White, with 8.64% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 2.33%. Among those working part-time, it was 15.31%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 31.14%.
rate
Rate | Poverty |
---|---|
Less Than 9th Grade | 26.64% |
High School | 17.41% |
Some College | 6.86% |
Bachelors or Greater | 6.85% |
rate
Rate | Poverty |
---|---|
Male Unemployed | 39.41% |
Female Employed | 6.15% |
Male Employed | 5.34% |
Female Unemployed | 0% |
Households
Families
MarriedFamilies
NonFamilies
Name | Median | Mean |
---|---|---|
Families | $91,195 | $157,204 |
Households | $80,828 | $126,028 |
Married Families | $102,368 | $-999,999,999 |
Non Families | $61,511 | $85,427 |
mean
median
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
44.2%
Overall Marriage Rate
43.6%
Male Marriage Rate
44.9%
Female Marriage Rate
male
female
The age group where males are most likely to be married is 45-54, while the female age group most likely to be married is 45-54.
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
Second Gulf War
First Gulf War
Vietnam
Korea
World War II
1,601
Number of Veterans
1,478
Male Veterans
123
Female Veterans
War | Veterans |
---|---|
Vietnam | 561 |
First Gulf War | 466 |
Second Gulf War | 388 |
Korea | 28 |
World War II | 15 |
count
Age Group | Veterans |
---|---|
55 to 64 | 459 |
65 to 74 | 363 |
75+ | 329 |
35 to 54 | 292 |
18 to 34 | 158 |
count
Name | Veterans | % of Total |
---|---|---|
White | 1,418 | 9.29% |
2+ Races | 101 | 4.58% |
Hispanic | 89 | 1.87% |
Black | 51 | 2.08% |
Other Race | 13 | 1.45% |
Islander | 12 | 57.14% |
Asian | 6 | 1.61% |
Less Than 9th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Bachelors or Greater
8.48%
Veteran Poverty Rate
25.13%
Veteran Disability Rate
LaborForceParticipation
69.8%
Labor Force Participation
63.7%
Employment Rate
2%
Unemployment Rate
LaborForceParticipation
LaborForceParticipation
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
29.09%
Born in Key West
78.89%
Native Born
21.11%
Foreign Born
10.79%
Non Citizen
10.32%
Naturalized
78.89% of Key West residents were born in the United States, with 29.09% having been born in Florida. 10.79% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Latin America.
Year | Population | Growth | Change |
---|---|---|---|
2029 | 22,589 | -419 | -1.82% |
2028 | 23,008 | -419 | -1.79% |
2027 | 23,427 | -419 | -1.76% |
2026 | 23,846 | -419 | -1.73% |
2025 | 24,265 | -419 | -1.7% |
2024 | 24,684 | -419 | -1.67% |
2023 | 25,103 | -463 | -1.81% |
2022 | 25,566 | -415 | -1.6% |
2021 | 25,981 | -379 | -1.44% |
2020 | 26,360 | 2,336 | 9.72% |
2019 | 24,024 | -363 | -1.49% |
2018 | 24,387 | -669 | -2.67% |
2017 | 25,056 | -216 | -0.85% |
2016 | 25,272 | -45 | -0.18% |
2015 | 25,317 | 22 | 0.09% |
2014 | 25,295 | 70 | 0.28% |
2013 | 25,225 | 302 | 1.21% |
2012 | 24,923 | 140 | 0.56% |
2011 | 24,783 | 121 | 0.49% |
2010 | 24,662 | 0 | 0% |
2000 | 25,478 | 646 | 2.6% |
1990 | 24,832 | 450 | 1.85% |
1980 | 24,382 | -4,930 | -16.82% |
1970 | 29,312 | -4,644 | -13.68% |
1960 | 33,956 | 7,523 | 28.46% |
1950 | 26,433 | 13,506 | 104.48% |
1940 | 12,927 | 96 | 0.75% |
1930 | 12,831 | -5,918 | -31.56% |
1920 | 18,749 | -1,196 | -6% |
1910 | 19,945 | 2,831 | 16.54% |
1900 | 17,114 | -966 | -5.34% |
1890 | 18,080 | 8,190 | 82.81% |
1880 | 9,890 | 4,874 | 97.17% |
1870 | 5,016 | 2,184 | 77.12% |
1860 | 2,832 | -19,757 | -87.46% |