Sanibel, FL Demographics

A map of Sanibel's Population by Race

Sanibel, Florida has an estimated population of 6,418, a less than 1% change from the 6,382 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 94.0% White, 2.4% Multiracial, 2.0% Hispanic, 0.7% Black, 0.7% Asian, and 0.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Sanibel, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Sanibel has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Florida overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Sanibel, that probability was 10.6% in 2020 and 11.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Sanibel is ranked the 429th most populous place in Florida, out of 956 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Sanibel was ranked the 419th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Sanibel's White Population

6,034 residents of Sanibel, or 94.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Sanibel is significantly higher than in Florida overall, where 50.4% of the population is White. Sanibel ranks 20th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 956 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sanibel's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Sanibel's population has decreased from 94.5% to 94.0%.

Sanibel is more White than neighboring Captiva (40.4% White), and Iona (90% White). Sanibel is less White than neighboring St. James City (94.1% White), Punta Rassa (97.7% White), and Matlacha (96.5% White).

Sanibel's Black Population

46 residents of Sanibel, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Sanibel is considerably lower than in Florida overall, where 14.6% of the population is Black. Sanibel ranks 867th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 956 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sanibel's Black population has grown by an estimated 70.4%. Black residents' share of Sanibel's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Sanibel is more Black than neighboring St. James City (0.2% Black), Punta Rassa (0.4% Black), and Matlacha (0% Black). Sanibel is less Black than neighboring Captiva (23.2% Black), and Iona (2% Black).

Sanibel's Asian Population

43 residents of Sanibel, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Sanibel is slightly lower than in Florida overall, where 2.9% of the population is Asian. Sanibel ranks 692nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 956 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sanibel's Asian population has declined by an estimated 2.3%. Asian residents' share of Sanibel's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Sanibel is more Asian than neighboring St. James City (0.3% Asian), Punta Rassa (0.5% Asian), and Matlacha (0% Asian). Sanibel is less Asian than neighboring Captiva (6.1% Asian), and Iona (1.6% Asian).

Sanibel's Hispanic Population

127 residents of Sanibel, or 2.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Sanibel is significantly lower than in Florida overall, where 27.4% of the population is Hispanic. Sanibel ranks 909th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 956 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sanibel's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 18.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Sanibel's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.0%.

Sanibel is more Hispanic than neighboring St. James City (1.5% Hispanic), Punta Rassa (1.3% Hispanic), and Matlacha (1.3% Hispanic). Sanibel is less Hispanic than neighboring Captiva (24.2% Hispanic), and Iona (3.3% Hispanic).

Sanibel's Native American/Other Population

14 residents of Sanibel, or 0.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Sanibel is comparable to the share in Florida overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Sanibel ranks 797th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 956 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sanibel's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 46.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Sanibel's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Sanibel is more Native American/Other than neighboring Punta Rassa (0% Native American/Other), and Matlacha (0% Native American/Other). Sanibel is less Native American/Other than neighboring St. James City (1.6% Native American/Other), Captiva (6.1% Native American/Other), and Iona (1.2% Native American/Other).

Sanibel's Multiracial Population

154 residents of Sanibel, or 2.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Sanibel is comparable to the share in Florida overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Sanibel ranks 849th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 956 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sanibel's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 54.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Sanibel's population has increased from 1.6% to 2.4%.

Sanibel is more Multiracial than neighboring St. James City (2.3% Multiracial), Punta Rassa (0% Multiracial), Captiva (0% Multiracial), Iona (2% Multiracial), and Matlacha (2.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.