Tallahassee Population (2021)

The population of Tallahassee is 190,894 (latest US Census Bureau data). This makes Tallahassee the 7th largest city in Florida and the 126th largest city in the US. 

Tallahassee is the state capital of Florida, and the county seat of Leon County. Located in North West Florida, the Tallahassee population has grown by 4.7% in the last five years, which is slightly more than the US average of 4.1% but a long way below the Florida average of 7.8%.

The wider Tallahassee metropolitan area, which includes four of Florida’s counties (Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla) has a population of 375,571 people (2014 data).

StatisticTallahasseeFloridaUSA
Population 189,907 20,271,272 321,418,820
Population Growth (since 2010)4.7% 7.8% 4.1%
Population Density (per sq mile)1,809.3 350.6 87.4

Tallahassee Population Growth

Although population growth in Tallahassee has slowed over the past five years, it was a boom town in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. In the 1980s, for example, the population grew by 53% – from 81,548 people in 1980 to 124,773 people in 1990.

This was followed by two consecutive decades where growth was more than 20%.

Growth has been slower in recent years (4.7% between 2010 and 2015) and is likely to be slightly over 10% for the period 2010 to 2020.

The table below lists the Tallahassee population for each census year since 1860.

Census YearPopulation
18601,932
18702,023
18802,494
18902,934
19002,981
19105,018
19205,637
193010,700
194016,240
195027,237
196048,174
197072,624
198081,548
1990124,773
2000150,624
2010181,376

Tallahassee Race Statistics

When it comes to race, the population of Tallahassee differs from the US and Florida averages.

White non-Hispanic53.3%
Black or African American35.0%
Hispanic or Latino6.3%
Asian3.7%

The US Census Bureau reported that in 2010 the White and Hispanic population of Tallahassee was significantly lower than the state average (and national average). By contrast the Black or African American population was significantly higher (around double) the state and national averages.

The table below provides detailed statistics on race in Tallahassee, and compares them to data from the State of Florida and the US as a whole.

StatisticTallahasseeFloridaUnited States
White alone (not Hispanic or Latino)53.3%57.9%63.7%
Black or African American alone35.0%16.0%12.6%
Hispanic or Latino6.3%22.5%16.3%
Asian alone3.7%2.4%4.8%
Two or more races2.3%2.5%2.9%
American Indian / Alaska native0.2%0.4%0.9%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%0.1%0.2%

Tallahassee Economy / Income Statistics

Per capita income and household income in Tallahassee are both slightly below the Florida average – which, in turn, is slightly below the US average.

Poverty rates, however, are more than double the state and national averages.

StatisticTallahasseeFloridaUnited States
Per Capita Income$23,942$26,499$28,555
Median household income$39,407$47,212$53,482
Poverty rate31.1%15.7%13.5%
Retail sales per capita$16,257$14,177$13,443
Poverty rate31.1%15.7%13.5%
Unemployment rate8.6%6.5%5.8%

Tallahassee Demographics – Education

Tallahassee has the most educated population in Florida – almost half of all residents have a Bachelors degree or higher. This is partly because the city is home to Florida A&M University, and partly because it is the state capital and home to the Florida state government.

StatisticTallahasseeFloridaUnited States
High School Graduates92.7%86.5%86.3%
Bachelors Degree47.5%26.8%29.3%