As of the census of 2000, there were 7,263 people, 3,564 households, and 2,145 families residing in the city. The 2007 population estimate is 8,270. The population density was 1,476.3 people per square mile (570.0/km²). There were 4,174 housing units at an average density of 848.4/sq mi (327.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.88 % White, 0.28% African American, 0.92% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 0.56 % from other races, and 1.67 % from two or more races. 2.37 % of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,564 households out of which 16.9 % have children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6 % were married couples living together, 9.3 % had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 34.4 % of all households were made up of individuals and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.52.
In the city the population was spread out with 16.8 % under the age of 18, 5.0 % from 18 to 24, 16.0 % from 25 to 44, 23.9 % from 45 to 64, and 38.2 % who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 56 years. For every 100 females there were 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,505, and the median income for a family was $ 36,784. Males had a median income of $ 30,962 versus $ 23,878 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 18,008. 14.4% of the population and 10.0 % of families were below the poverty line. 25.9 % of those under the age of 18 and 8.3 % of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Florence has one sister city:
Yamagata-shi was established in 2003 by the merger of Ijira (Florence's former sister-city), Takatomi, and Miyama.