Poverty and living standards in Melbourne, Florida: official figures
15.8% of residents of Melbourne (13,097 people) had incomes below the federal poverty line in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, 252nd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 12.5%; Florida: 12.6%).
How many children live in poverty in Melbourne?
25.9% of children under 18 in Melbourne lived below the poverty line in 2020-2024 (3,870 children), 125th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 16.1%; Florida: 16.5%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the poverty rate for older people in Melbourne?
By age, the poverty rate in Melbourne was 30.9% for children under 6 and 11.4% for residents aged 60 and over in 2020-2024 (US: 17.2% and 11.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Melbourne live in deep poverty?
7,354 people in Melbourne, 8.9% of residents, had incomes below half the poverty line in 2020-2024, 170th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many renters in Melbourne are cost-burdened?
56.1% of renting households in Melbourne spent 30% or more of their income on rent and utilities in 2020-2024 (8,081 households), 269th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 51.1%; Florida: 60.1%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many households in Melbourne spend half their income on rent?
29.8% of renting households in Melbourne spent half or more of their income on rent and utilities, 234th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 25.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Melbourne compares with other cities in the United States
Residents below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Melbourne ranks 252 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 249 | Fort Collins | 15.8% |
| 250 | Independence | 15.8% |
| 251 | Tempe | 15.8% |
| 252 | Melbourne | 15.8% |
| 253 | Amarillo | 15.8% |
| 254 | Elizabeth | 15.7% |
| 255 | Palmdale | 15.7% |
Children under 18 below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Melbourne ranks 125 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Children under 18 below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 122 | Killeen | 26.0% |
| 123 | Columbus | 26.0% |
| 124 | Compton | 25.9% |
| 125 | Melbourne | 25.9% |
| 126 | New Bedford | 25.9% |
| 127 | Winston-Salem | 25.9% |
| 128 | Huntington Park | 25.8% |
Residents with incomes below half the poverty line (2020-2024)
Melbourne ranks 170 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents with incomes below half the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 167 | Beaumont | 9.0% |
| 168 | Lowell | 8.9% |
| 169 | Middletown | 8.9% |
| 170 | Melbourne | 8.9% |
| 171 | Evansville | 8.8% |
| 172 | Stonecrest | 8.8% |
| 173 | Midwest City | 8.8% |
Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent (2020-2024)
Melbourne ranks 269 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent |
|---|---|---|
| 266 | Kalamazoo | 56.3% |
| 267 | South Fulton | 56.2% |
| 268 | Citrus Heights | 56.1% |
| 269 | Melbourne | 56.1% |
| 270 | Richmond | 56.1% |
| 271 | Tulare | 56.0% |
| 272 | San Clemente | 56.0% |
More on Melbourne: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B17020: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months by Age (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 e79a292f34605560506b7f4b5c8ea242c9d6e203c8e95ba675565ddb7758571e), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 41bab025d213…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table C17002: Ratio of Income to Poverty Level in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 dc3dc675113683ec3ff2a0e29a840f43e03268151d7f14b922658d7306da5187), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 31aa364bfddf…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25070: Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 862ccc17d913305d11e6f802ce4518d76b30585ea0b05b251cd8cf21f8661386), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4f8d499d9e95…)
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