countyscore
44.5
County Score
Disaster Risk 86.8Water Quality 86Income & Jobs 81.2

County Report Card

About Baker County, Florida

Baker matches the national livability median

Baker County's composite score of 45.7 sits just below the national median of 50.0, putting it squarely in the middle of American counties. This near-average standing masks a county of stark contrasts: exceptional tax rates and water quality alongside weaker health and school systems. The profile suggests Baker is competitive nationally but requires careful matching to individual priorities.

Baker edges above Florida's average

At 45.7, Baker County slightly exceeds Florida's average composite score of 45.1, ranking it among the state's mid-tier performers. The county's competitive tax burden (0.627% effective rate) and affordable housing help it keep pace despite notable health and education gaps. Baker's standing reflects a fiscally conservative county managing modest resources effectively.

Taxes, affordability, and natural resilience shine

Baker leads with outstanding tax efficiency (score: 71.4, effective rate: 0.627%) and strong housing affordability at $1,011/month rent and $225,000 median home values. The risk score of 86.8 and water score of 86.0 rank among the state's best, signaling low exposure to environmental hazards and clean water access. Median household income of $70,833 provides solid earning power.

Schools and health lag noticeably

Baker's school score of 13.1 is among Florida's lowest, a critical concern for families prioritizing education. Health infrastructure scores just 38.8, suggesting limited medical services or outcomes relative to state norms. These gaps mean residents often travel to neighboring counties for specialized care and educational alternatives.

Ideal for cost-conscious families without children

Baker County suits budget-focused professionals, retirees, and empty nesters seeking low taxes, affordable housing, and environmental safety without needing strong schools nearby. Young families seeking quality education should consider other Florida counties with stronger educational profiles. The livability sweet spot is for those whose priorities align with fiscal responsibility over institutional services.

2040608010067.923.954.238.813.181.286.88628.4Tax67.9Cost23.9Safety54.2Health38.8Schools13.1Income81.2Risk86.8Water86Weather28.444.5/100
This county
National avg
4 above average4 below average

Baker County DNA

Foverall

How Baker County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Baker County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (86.8/100) but notably weak in Schools (13.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
67.9+15.900000000000006
Cost
23.9-24.1
Safety
54.2
Health
38.8-11.200000000000003
Schools
13.1-40.9
Income
81.2+30.200000000000003
Risk
86.8+39.8
Water
86+28
Weather
28.4-27.6
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$256,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,302/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$256,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$52,080/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $79,836/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

21.3

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Bartow County
Georgia
Median income: $82,243
44.5
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Median income: $53,259
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Scott County
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Laclede County
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Deschutes County
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Median income: $92,758
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Lancaster County
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Median income: $78,869
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Columbia County
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Matanuska-Susitna Borough
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Nearby counties

Charlton County
Georgia
61.2
Union County
Florida
54.5
Nassau County
Florida
48.3
Columbia County
Florida
43.1
Bradford County
Florida
58.8
Duval County
Florida
30.4
Clay County
Florida
43.9
Clinch County
Georgia
50.2

Deep Dives

Baker County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Baker County

via TaxByCounty

Baker taxes well below national average

Baker County's effective tax rate of 0.627% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.73%, placing it near the 40th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,410 runs $1,280 below the national median, even though home values are comparable.

Baker is Florida's tax bargain

Baker's 0.627% effective rate ranks as one of the lowest in Florida, well below the state average of 0.731%. At just $1,410 in median annual taxes, Baker homeowners save $475 yearly compared to the state average of $1,885.

Baker undercuts all regional peers

Baker's 0.627% rate beats Bradford County (0.567%) slightly and vastly outperforms Alachua County's 0.983%. Among North Florida counties, only Bradford and Calhoun offer comparable tax savings.

Your annual tax bill in Baker

On a median home value of $225,000, Baker residents pay approximately $1,410 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-related expenses, the full bill comes to roughly $1,610 per year.

Even low taxes can be lowered

Even in affordable-tax Baker County, some homeowners remain overassessed and eligible for appeals. Contacting the Property Appraiser's office about a potential informal appeal is free and could provide additional relief.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Baker County

via IncomeByCounty

Baker keeps pace with national earnings

Baker County's median household income of $70,833 nearly matches the national median of $74,755, just $3,922 behind. This strong performance places Baker in the upper-middle tier nationally, suggesting a resilient local economy with balanced employment across multiple sectors.

Above Florida's state income average

Baker County's $70,833 median household income exceeds Florida's state average of $65,468 by $5,365, positioning it in the upper third of Florida counties. The county punches well above its weight for a rural North Florida community, driven by stable employment in forestry, agriculture, and small manufacturing.

Baker leads its regional peer group

Baker ($70,833) significantly outearns neighboring Alachua County ($59,659) and Bradford County ($59,740), making it the income leader in the North Florida region. This advantage reflects Baker's diverse economic base and lower cost of living compared to college-town Alachua.

Housing costs remain highly affordable

Baker's rent-to-income ratio of just 17.1% is the lowest among regional peers, indicating excellent housing affordability. Combined with a median home value of $225,000, Baker households enjoy significant financial breathing room compared to state and national benchmarks.

Invest savings in your family's future

With strong income and low housing costs, Baker County households have genuine opportunity to save and invest. Automatic transfers to high-yield savings accounts and diversified investment portfolios can help families build generational wealth faster than the national average.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Baker County

via CrimeByCounty

Baker County Offers High National Security

With a safety score of 98.4, Baker County is significantly safer than the average American county. Its total crime rate of 1033.3 per 100,000 is less than half the national average of 2,385.5.

Perfect Alignment with Florida Averages

Baker County’s safety score of 98.4 perfectly matches the Florida state average. Its crime rate of 1033.3 is also nearly identical to the state average of 1027.9, showing consistent local performance.

Leading Nearby Counties in Safety

Baker County is significantly safer than neighboring Alachua County, where the crime rate reaches 2160.7. Residents here enjoy a more tranquil environment compared to the higher-density areas to the south.

Understanding Local Property and Violent Crime

The county reports 715.1 property crimes and 318.2 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. Both figures remain lower than national benchmarks, keeping the community relatively secure.

Simple Steps for Baker County Security

Security awareness remains important even in safe areas like Baker County. Basic measures such as locking all entry points and maintaining clear sightlines around your property provide effective protection.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Baker County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm Inland Subtropical Patterns

Baker County maintains an average annual temperature of 68.7°F, far exceeding the national median for a typical American county. This subtropical climate provides a consistently warm atmosphere compared to most of the country.

One of Florida's Coolest Counties

With an average of 68.7°F, Baker is one of the coolest counties in Florida, sitting more than two degrees below the state average of 71.1°F. It provides a slightly more temperate experience than its neighbors to the south.

Typical Northern Florida Rainfall

Baker is marginally cooler than Alachua County's 69.0°F average and shares a similar inland climate profile. Its 53.2 inches of annual rainfall nearly matches the state average of 54.8 inches.

Brief Winters and Moderate Heat

The county sees 81 days of extreme heat where temperatures top 90°F, concentrated mostly in the 81.1°F summer months. Winters are brief and mild, averaging 55.6°F with zero inches of snow.

HVAC and Drainage Priorities

Residents should focus on dual-purpose HVAC units that handle humid summers and the occasional 53.5°F January dip. Outdoor planning should account for the 53.2 inches of rain that fall mostly in the warmer months.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Baker County

via SoilByCounty

Baker's extremely acidic soil

Baker County features very acidic soil with a pH of 4.05, which is well below the Florida average of 4.88 and the national median of 6.5. This intense acidity often limits the availability of certain plant nutrients.

Slightly less sand, more workability

The soil is 76.6% sand and only 2.3% clay, offering a bit more body than many coastal counties. This mix ensures easy workability for farmers but requires constant monitoring of drainage due to the low silt levels.

Rich in organic material

Organic matter is exceptionally high here at 12.23%, far surpassing both the national 2.0% average and the state 8.03% average. This richness is paired with an available water capacity of 0.124 in/in, providing excellent growing potential.

Variable drainage and hydrology

Dominant drainage classes are not specifically listed for this county in the current data. Given the high water capacity, growers should watch for seasonal saturation in low-lying areas during the rainy season.

Acid-loving plants thrive here

Zone 9a conditions combined with low pH make Baker County a paradise for acid-loving shrubs and pines. Consider testing your soil and adding lime if you plan to grow vegetables that prefer neutral conditions.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Baker County

via LawnByCounty

A Slightly Easier Path in Baker County

Baker County earns a lawn difficulty score of 20.7, making it a bit easier to manage than the Florida state average of 19.2. Despite this relative advantage, the county remains much more challenging than the national median of 50.0. Homeowners in Hardiness Zone 9a still face the high humidity and unique soil traits common to the Deep South.

Abundant Rain Feeds the Growing Season

The county sees a robust 53.2 inches of annual rainfall, which is slightly above the ideal lawn range and requires well-planned drainage. Residents experience 81 extreme heat days per year, which is lower than the state average of 92 but still necessitates heat-tolerant grass species. The 7,028 growing degree days ensure a long, productive season for turf growth.

Correcting Extremely Acidic Sand in Baker

Baker County soil features a very low pH of 4.05, placing it far outside the 6.0-7.0 sweet spot for healthy lawns. With only 2.3% clay and 76.6% sand, the soil struggles to hold onto essential nutrients and water. You will likely need frequent lime treatments to neutralize the acidity and regular fertilization to compensate for the high sand content.

Managing Severe Drought in the Panhandle

Despite the heavy annual rain, Baker County spent 26 weeks in drought over the last year and currently faces 100% severe drought coverage. Mulching around landscape edges and keeping grass at a taller height can help protect the soil from moisture loss. Drought-tolerant species are essential here since the current conditions are classified as severe.

When to Plant in Zone 9a

Centipede grass is a popular local choice because it handles acidic soil better than most, though St. Augustine remains a Florida favorite. Plan your major lawn projects after the last frost on March 8 and well before the first fall frost on December 1. Starting your lawn in mid-spring allows the grass to capitalize on the 53 inches of annual rain.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Baker County's county score?
Baker County, Florida has a composite county score of 44.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Baker County rank among counties in Florida?
Baker County ranks #36 among all counties in Florida on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Baker County, Florida?
The median annual property tax in Baker County is $1,631, with an effective tax rate of 0.64%. This earns Baker County a tax score of 67.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Baker County?
The median household income in Baker County, Florida is $79,836 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Baker County earns an income score of 81.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Baker County, Florida a good place to live?
Baker County scores 44.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #36 in Florida. The best way to evaluate Baker County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Baker County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.