Sarasota, Florida, is a coastal city on the state of Florida’s Gulf Coast that serves as the seat of Sarasota County. While relatively small in land area, the city plays a significant role in Florida’s economy. Understanding its population trends helps shed light on its development, challenges, and future potential.
Size of the City of Sarasota
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the city of Sarasota had a population of 54,842 people. That marks slight growth over the previous decade; in the 2010 census, Sarasota recorded 51,917 residents, so it has grown by roughly 3,000 residents in ten years.
Even more recent data shows continued growth for the Sarasota area. Census Reporter shows that as of the 2023 five-year American Community Survey estimate, Sarasota had 56,218 residents. Likewise, data from Data USA notes that between 2022 and 2023, the population grew from about 55,508 to 56,218, an increase of roughly 1.28 %.
Projections and current estimates push that even higher for 2025. The World Population Review suggests that Sarasota’s population in 2025 will be approximately 59,211, reflecting an annual growth rate of about 1.38 %. Because these projections extend beyond official census counts, they should be considered estimates rather than definitive values.
Based on this data, Sarasota is on track to add another 4,300 to 5,000 people from 2020 through 2025, representing a gain of 7–9 % over the five-year span, assuming the estimates hold.
Population Density and Land Area
Though compact in size, Sarasota has a relatively high population density for a small Florida city. The total land area of the city is about 14.70 square miles (38.07 km²). Based on the 2020 population figure, that comes out to around 3,731.5 people per square mile. This density speaks to Sarasota’s urban character: while not a large metropolis, it is relatively concentrated, with limited land area and a core urban footprint.
Size of Sarasota County + Metro Area
To understand Sarasota’s total population, one must look beyond the city limits to the county and metropolitan area.
Sarasota County is considerably larger in population than the City of Sarasota. As of the 2020 census, the county had 434,006 residents. The county has experienced sustained growth between 2010 and 2022, with the population increasing from 379,448 to 462,286, a rise of 21.7 %.
Meanwhile, the Sarasota–Manatee metropolitan area (often referred to as the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota MSA) is even larger. According to the 2020 census, the MSA had a population of 833,716. The Census Bureau later estimated (2023) that the metro area population had grown to 910,108. Because the metro area encompasses adjacent counties (primarily Manatee and Sarasota Counties), it captures the broader region in which Sarasota functions as an economic and cultural hub.
For the combined statistical area (CSA), which includes additional counties such as Charlotte and DeSoto, the population in 2020 was 1,054,539, with a 2023 estimate of 1,152,221.
Putting these numbers side by side gives perspective:
| Area | Population (2020 Census) | Estimates / Projections* |
|---|---|---|
| City of Sarasota | 54,842 | ~56,218 (2023) ~59,211 (2025) |
| Sarasota County | 434,006 | ~476,604 (2024) |
| Sarasota–Manatee MSA | 833,716 | ~910,108 (2023) |
| Combined Statistical Area (CSA) | 1,054,539 | ~1,152,221 (2023) |
As you can see, Sarasota and the surrounding area is one of Florida’s growing cities. Investing in real estate in Sarasota could be a profitable business move as the area continues to grow and become more dense. With a fairly small land area in the city center, any investment in the City of Sarasota proper stands a good chance of appreciating in value as more people move to the area and compete for the limited acreage.