Fort Lauderdale, FL

Florida · Metropolitan Area

Fort Lauderdale is a large city in Florida with a population of 183,032. Residents earn $79,935 per year, which is 6% above the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
183,032 Population 5,293/sq mi density
$79,935 Median Income $57,845 per capita
$455,600 Home Value $503,437 Zillow
$1,776 Median Rent
76°F Avg Temperature 341 sunny days/yr
773 Violent Crime/100K 5,132 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$79,935 median income, 3.5% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.5 / 5.0
$455,600 home value, $1,776/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
773 violent crimes/100K (103% above avg)
A
Education
4.2 / 5.0
39.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $79,935
6% higher than US avg
Home Value $455,600
62% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 773/100K
103% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 39.8%
18% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,776
53% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 29.9%
7% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.5%
3% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.2%
10% lower than US avg

How Fort Lauderdale Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population183,032
Median Age42.9 yrs
Density5,293/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 51%

Economy

A
Median Income$79,935
Per Capita$57,845
Unemployment3.5%
Poverty11.2%
County GDP$173,651M
Commute27 min

Housing

B
Home Value$455,600
Rent$1,776
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$503,437

Crime

F
Violent773/100K
Property5,132/100K
Murder10.3/100K
Assault363/100K
Burglary1,116/100K

Health

Obesity29.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression17.3%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp76°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain81.0 in/yr
Sunny Days341/yr
Elevation13 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+39.8%
High School+89.8%
School Score5.60

Community

2024 VoteR 41% / D 58%
Commute27 min
EV Stations105
Libraries43

Is Fort Lauderdale a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fort Lauderdale receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high housing costs. Fort Lauderdale offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fort Lauderdale is $79,935, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.5%, indicating a healthy job market. 11.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600, making it a premium housing market at 62% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,776 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 5.7x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 773 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,132 per 100,000, 162% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 39.8% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 89.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Fort Lauderdale has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 76°F. Winters average 69°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. With 341 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 81.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Fort Lauderdale has a population of 183,032 with a density of 5,293 people per square mile. The median age is 42.9 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (51.3%), with 1.4% Hispanic, 28.8% Black.

Population

183,032
Total Population
5,293
People / sq mi
42.9yrs
Median Age
10% above US avg
34.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.4%
Female 47.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Fort Lauderdale vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only69.6%
11% below US avg
Spanish30.4%
127% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Fort Lauderdale vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fort Lauderdale is $79,935, which is 6% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Fort Lauderdale vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$79,935
6% above US avg
Per Capita Income$57,845
Avg Weekly Wage$1,375
IRS Avg AGI$99,240

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.5%
3% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.2%
10% below US avg
Establishments (County)81,808
County GDP$173,651M

Business (County)

Restaurants4,485
Healthcare7,428
Retail7,266
Manufacturing1,413

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$9,621
175% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.11%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.5 min
Work from Home17.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600, 62% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,776 (53% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $503,437.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$455,600
62% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$503,437
Median List Price$649,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$649,900
$/Sq Ft$387
Homes Sold114
Sale-to-List Ratio94.1%
Price Drops22.2%
Inventory2,614

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,776
53% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,718

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,212
1 Bedroom$1,296
2 Bedrooms$1,526
3 Bedrooms$1,971
4 Bedrooms$2,261

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied53.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$9,621
175% above US avg
Effective Rate2.11%
In Fort Lauderdale, 29.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 17.3% report depression. 23.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Fort Lauderdale vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity29.9%
7% below US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure32.3%
Asthma9.5%
COPD5.9%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.2%
Physical Inactivity23.8%
Depression17.3%
Mental Distress17.4%
Physical Distress12.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.1%
Checkup Rate77.1%
Premature Death7,598/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access98.0%
Healthcare Facilities7,428
Fort Lauderdale has a violent crime rate of 773 per 100,000 residents, 103% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,132 per 100,000 (162% above US avg). The murder rate is 10.3 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Fort Lauderdale vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent772.7/100K
103% above US avg
Murder10.3/100K
64% above US avg
Rape44.8/100K
Robbery355.1/100K
Assault362.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,132.3/100K
162% above US avg
Burglary1,115.7/100K
Theft3,629.3/100K
Vehicle Theft387.2/100K
Arson17.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)276

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Fort Lauderdale has an average annual temperature of 76°F (25°C). Winters average 69°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 81.0 inches. The area enjoys 341 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

69°F Jan (21°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average76.1°F
41% above US avg
January Average69°F (21°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days341 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall81.0 inches
113% above US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation13 ft (4 m)
Area34.6 sq mi (89.6 km²)
Population Density5,293/sq mi
Coordinates26.1412°N, 80.1467°W
County FIPS12011
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 39.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (18% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 17-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 41.1%
D 58%

Winner: Democrat by 17 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+39.8%
18% above US avg
High School+89.8%
School Test Score5.60
A Education Grade (4.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density5,293/sq mi
Total Area34.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations105
Alt Fuel Stations109
Public Libraries43
Healthcare Facilities7,428
Restaurants4,485
Retail Stores7,266

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)276
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.5 min
Work from Home17.5%

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