Kissimmee, Florida Poverty Rate: Current Figures and What They Mean

When looking at economic health, Kissimmee, Florida is a city in Osceola County with a diverse population of around 80,000 residents. One of the most telling numbers for any community is its poverty rate, a metric that shows how many people earn below the federal poverty line. If you’ve ever wondered what the kissimmee poverty rate actually is, this guide walks you through the latest numbers, how they’re calculated, and why they matter for locals, policymakers, and anyone thinking about moving to Central Florida.

Key Takeaways

• As of the 2023 American Community Survey, the poverty rate in Kissimmee was 14.2%.
• Kissimmee’s rate sits above the Florida average (13.1%) but below the national average (13.6%).
• Factors such as median household income, unemployment, and housing costs heavily influence the local poverty level.
• Trend data shows a modest decline from 2019 (15.6%) to 2023.
• Reliable sources include the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Understanding the Poverty Rate

The poverty rate measures the share of a population whose income falls below the officially defined poverty line. The line is set by the U.S. Census Bureau and updated each year to reflect inflation and family size. For a single individual in 2023, the threshold was $14,580; for a family of four, it was $30,000.

When the Census Bureau reports a city’s poverty rate, it’s usually based on the American Community Survey (ACS). The ACS samples households over a 5‑year period, providing detailed demographic and economic data that the decennial census can’t capture for smaller areas.

How the Data Is Collected

The ACS sends questionnaires to a random selection of households each month. Responses are weighted to represent the entire population, then aggregated at the city level. This means the Kissimmee poverty rate reflects a blend of recent and slightly older data, smoothing out short‑term spikes caused by events like a hurricane or a sudden job loss.

Data is also cross‑checked with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, which tracks state‑wide employment trends, and with local school district reports on free‑and‑reduced lunch eligibility, another proxy for low‑income households.

Latest Poverty Rate for Kissimmee

The 2023 figure of 14.2% indicates that roughly 11,300 of Kissimmee’s 80,000 residents live below the poverty line. The simultaneous rise in median household income (now $53,100) suggests that many families are moving out of poverty, even as a small portion remains stuck.

Kissimmee vs. State and National Averages

Florida’s overall poverty rate in 2023 stood at 13.1%, according to the same ACS data. The national rate was 13.6%. Kissimmee’s 14.2% puts it slightly above both averages, reflecting its status as a gateway city for many recent immigrants and service‑industry workers. By contrast, nearby Orlando reported a rate of 12.5%, showing that the broader metropolitan area fares a bit better.

When you factor in the Orlando Metropolitan Area, Kissimmee’s poverty level is consistent with other suburbs that have higher rental costs and a larger share of low‑wage hospitality jobs.

Key Drivers Behind the Poverty Rate

• Employment sector: Over 40% of Kissimmee’s jobs are in tourism, hospitality, and retail, which typically offer lower wages and fewer benefits.
• Housing affordability: Median home values have climbed to $350,000, while rent for a two‑bedroom apartment averages $1,500, squeezing lower‑income families.
• Educational attainment: About 22% of adults lack a high school diploma, a strong predictor of low earnings.
• Immigrant population: Roughly 35% of residents were born outside the U.S., and many face language barriers that limit job opportunities.
• Childcare costs: High childcare prices force single parents to work part‑time, affecting household income.

Understanding these factors helps city leaders design targeted programs, such as workforce training for hospitality workers or affordable housing initiatives.

Trends Over the Last Decade

From 2013 to 2023, Kissimmee’s poverty rate fell from 18.4% to 14.2%, a 4.2‑percentage‑point drop. The decline aligns with a booming tourism sector after the opening of new Disney resorts and the expansion of Orlando International Airport, which created more construction and service jobs.

However, the COVID‑19 pandemic caused a temporary uptick in 2020, when unemployment spiked to 6.8% and many hospitality venues shut down. The swift rebound in 2021‑2023 demonstrates the city’s resilience, partly due to federal stimulus aid and local job‑placement programs.

How to Use This Data

If you’re a policymaker, the poverty rate can guide where to allocate resources. For example, neighborhoods with rates above 20% might qualify for additional federal Community Development Block Grants.

Prospective residents can compare Kissimmee’s cost of living with the poverty rate to gauge economic stability. A higher poverty rate often signals greater need for social services but can also mean more affordable housing options.

Non‑profits and charities often target the 14% of residents who qualify for assistance programs like SNAP, Medicaid, or the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefit.

Where to Find the Most Up‑to‑Date Numbers

The best source is the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. The data portal allows you to pull city‑level tables for poverty, income, and employment.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity also publishes quarterly labor market reports that include county‑wide poverty estimates.

Local government websites, such as the City of Kissimmee’s open data portal, occasionally release community health assessments that incorporate poverty figures alongside education and health metrics.

Future Outlook

Analysts predict that Kissimmee’s poverty rate will inch closer to the state average by 2027, assuming steady job growth in the tech and renewable‑energy sectors. However, rising housing costs could offset income gains, keeping a segment of the population vulnerable.

Community groups are lobbying for more affordable housing units and expanded workforce‑training programs, which could help push the poverty rate below 13% in the next few years.