1st Advantage MortgageManatee County households have a median income of $78,457 and median rent of $1,671 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Manatee County, FL: the basics
- How Manatee County residents earn a living
- Household income in Manatee County
- What it costs to live in Manatee County
- Manatee County and the counties next door
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Manatee County
- A Manatee County household budget, worked through
- Borrowing situations common in Manatee County
- People and households in Manatee County
- Florida rules that apply in Manatee County
- Steps before you apply in Manatee County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Manatee County, FL: the basics
With an estimated 429,792 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Manatee County ranks 15th of 67 in Florida for population. Land area is 743 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 579 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 16 places in the county (6 incorporated, 10 census-designated); the largest is Bradenton, with about 57,014 residents, or 13% of the county.
How Manatee County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Manatee County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 21% of workers, followed by professional and administrative services (14%). The survey's unemployment rate for Manatee County averages 4.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.8%). About 70% drive to work alone and 17% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 4.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Manatee County | Gap to Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.0% | 0.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 13.8% | -0.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.1% | +1.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.7% | -0.2 pts |
| Construction | 9.5% | +1.3 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.8% | -0.3 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Household income in Manatee County
At $78,457, the typical Manatee County household income is 19% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 18th of 67.
| Households earning | Manatee County | +/- vs Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.7% | -2.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.9% | -0.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.3% | +1.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 12.0% | +1.0 pts |
About 20% of households earn under $35,000, while 39% clear $100,000. Census counts 9.8% of Manatee County residents in poverty, against 12.6% across Florida. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.474 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Manatee County median.
What it costs to live in Manatee County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,671 in Manatee County versus $1,669 statewide. 61% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 31% spend half or more. Home values center on $391,400, or 5.0 years of median income. Owners occupy 74% of homes. The median year built is 1991.
| Manatee County | Florida | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,671/mo | $1,669/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $391,400 | $359,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 61% | 60% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 33% | 35% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 13.7% | 8.0% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare). When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Manatee County and the counties next door
Sarasota County is closest, 17 miles from center to center; the sixth, Charlotte County, is 46 miles off. Sarasota County leads the group on income ($83,416), DeSoto County trails ($54,417), and Manatee County out-earns 4 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manatee County | - | $78,457 | $1,671/mo | 74% |
| Sarasota County, FL | 17 mi | $83,416 | $1,818/mo | 77% |
| Hillsborough County, FL | 29 mi | $79,540 | $1,667/mo | 61% |
| Hardee County, FL | 35 mi | $60,489 | $962/mo | 71% |
| Pinellas County, FL | 39 mi | $72,646 | $1,642/mo | 70% |
| DeSoto County, FL | 41 mi | $54,417 | $932/mo | 73% |
| Charlotte County, FL | 46 mi | $69,952 | $1,464/mo | 84% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Manatee County
16 Census places fall mainly inside Manatee County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 211,240 residents, leaving about 51% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $44,958 in Bayshore Gardens to $158,030 in Longboat Key. Names with links open a city guide. The other 14 places are covered here.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradenton | city | 57,014 | $60,822 | $1,618 | 11 mi |
| Lakewood Ranch | CDP | 43,945 | $122,925 | $2,299 | 4 mi |
| South Bradenton | CDP | 25,990 | $48,315 | $1,244 | 12 mi |
| Bayshore Gardens | CDP | 18,131 | $44,958 | $1,506 | 12 mi |
| Palmetto | city | 13,588 | $62,621 | $1,366 | 12 mi |
| Memphis | CDP | 9,185 | $74,839 | $1,173 | 11 mi |
| Longboat Key | town | 7,539 | $158,030 | $3,501 | 16 mi |
| West Samoset | CDP | 7,429 | $54,352 | $1,407 | 10 mi |
| Samoset | CDP | 5,284 | $51,976 | $1,386 | 9 mi |
| Cortez | CDP | 5,205 | $79,895 | $1,894 | 17 mi |
| Ellenton | CDP | 5,133 | $71,402 | $1,729 | 9 mi |
| Whitfield | CDP | 4,261 | $98,348 | $2,113 | 12 mi |
| West Bradenton | CDP | 3,991 | $116,272 | $1,858 | 14 mi |
| Holmes Beach | city | 3,047 | $88,333 | $1,771 | 20 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
A Manatee County household budget, worked through
Manatee County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $6,538 a month: gross income for a household at the Manatee County median
- Housing at the median rent of $1,671 uses 26%
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,140 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Manatee County's.
Borrowing situations common in Manatee County
Based on the Manatee County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Uninsured care. 12% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 14% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 50, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- 61% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
People and households in Manatee County
Degree holders: 35% of adults over 25. 11.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Manatee County | All of Florida | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.6 | 42.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 35.4% | 34.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.1% | 10.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.8% | 11.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.4% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 15.8% | 15.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.8% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.6% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Manatee County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 21.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.1% |
| 60+ min | 7.5% |
Florida rules that apply in Manatee County
Manatee County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Florida guide covers state rules in more detail.
Steps before you apply in Manatee County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Manatee County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Manatee County-area credit union.
- A Florida license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Related local guides
City guides inside Manatee County, and the statewide guide:
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Manatee County?
$78,457 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $74,568 for Florida. It ranks 18th of 67 in the state.
What do renters pay in Manatee County?
$1,671 a month at the median, about 26% of median household income.
Should Manatee County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 74% of Manatee County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Bradenton?
Yes, along with the other 15 Census places in Manatee County, such as Lakewood Ranch, South Bradenton, Bayshore Gardens.
Does living in Manatee County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Manatee County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.