CountyScore

Bradford County

Florida · FL

#4 in Florida
71.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Bradford County, Florida

Bradford Ranks in Top 53% Nationally

Bradford County's composite score of 76.5 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 53rd percentile. The county demonstrates strong national-level livability.

Florida's Strong Performer

At 76.5, Bradford outpaces Florida's state average of 69.4 by 7.1 points, ranking it among the state's top counties. The county stands out as one of Florida's best overall livability destinations.

Unbeatable Affordability and Low Taxes

Bradford County excels with a cost score of 82.7 and tax score of 86.3, featuring the lowest effective tax rate (0.567%) in this group and median rent of just $838. Median home values of $180,300 make it the most affordable county here.

Income Opportunities Are Limited

The income score of 22.4 reflects median household income of $59,740, among the lowest in this group. Service and quality data on schools, health, and safety are not yet available.

Perfect for Retirees and Budget Seekers

Bradford County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing maximum affordability and tax savings above all. The exceptional combination of low costs and minimal tax burden makes it Florida's best value county.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax86.3Cost82.7SafetyComing SoonHealth61.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.4Risk63.2WaterComing Soon
🏛86.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡63.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Bradford County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Monroe County
Alabama
71.6
Median income: $40,225
Banks County
Georgia
71.6
Median income: $68,830
Warrick County
Indiana
71.6
Median income: $95,027
Mason County
Kentucky
71.6
Median income: $51,473
Pendleton County
Kentucky
71.6
Median income: $66,601

Deep Dives

Bradford County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Bradford County

via TaxByCounty

Bradford taxes far below national norm

Bradford's effective tax rate of 0.567% substantially undercuts the national median of 0.73%, placing it in roughly the 25th percentile nationally. The median property tax of just $1,022 runs $1,668 below the national median of $2,690.

Bradford offers Florida's cheapest taxes

Bradford ranks among Florida's absolute lowest-tax counties with an effective rate of 0.567%, far below the state average of 0.731%. The $1,022 median annual tax represents the lowest in this eight-county sample, saving homeowners $863 versus the state average.

Bradford beats nearly all neighbors

Bradford's 0.567% rate ranks among the state's most affordable, undercut only by Calhoun at 0.554%. Compared to Alachua (0.983%) and Bay (0.597%), Bradford offers exceptional tax savings.

Your annual tax bill in Bradford

On a modest median home value of $180,300, Bradford homeowners pay just $1,022 annually in property taxes. With mortgage-related fees included, the total bill reaches approximately $1,365 per year.

Appeal could mean even more savings

Even with low baseline taxes, some Bradford homeowners are overassessed and eligible for relief. An informal property tax appeal with the county costs nothing and could yield real refunds.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Bradford County

via CostByCounty

Bradford is a rare affordability oasis

Bradford County's 16.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks among America's most affordable housing markets. At $838 monthly rent against a $59,740 median income, residents enjoy substantially more financial breathing room than the typical U.S. household.

Florida's most budget-friendly county

Bradford's 16.8% housing burden and $838 median rent place it at the absolute bottom of Florida's affordability scale—the best the state offers. The rent-to-income ratio beats the state average of 22.5% by nearly 6 percentage points.

Rock-bottom rents in rural North Central

Bradford's $838 rent undercuts all nearby counties: Alachua ($1,255), Baker ($1,011), Bay ($1,424), and Calhoun ($680). Only Calhoun comes close, making Bradford and Calhoun the region's affordability champions.

Extreme affordability for renters and owners

Bradford renters spend just 16.8% of income on housing while owners spend 14.0%—both exceptional ratios. The $180,300 median home value and $696 monthly owner cost represent some of Florida's easiest entry points to homeownership.

Unbeatable value for extreme budget seekers

Bradford County delivers the state's lowest housing costs with minimal income sacrifice, ideal for remote workers or retirees prioritizing affordability. If you can embrace rural living, Bradford offers unmatched financial freedom in modern Florida.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bradford County

via IncomeByCounty

Bradford falls short of national benchmark

Bradford County's median household income of $59,740 trails the national median of $74,755 by $15,015, placing it firmly in the bottom third nationally. This gap reflects limited access to high-wage employment sectors and dependence on agricultural and small-scale manufacturing jobs.

Below Florida's state average income

At $59,740, Bradford County's median household income falls $5,728 short of Florida's state average of $65,468, ranking it in the lower half of Florida counties. The rural economy has historically struggled to attract diverse, higher-paying industries.

Slightly trails nearby Alachua County

Bradford ($59,740) and Alachua County ($59,659) form a low-income pair in North Florida, each struggling to match regional peers like Baker ($70,833). Both counties face similar structural challenges in diversifying their employment base beyond agriculture and education.

Rent remains affordable in rural setting

Bradford's rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% is among the lowest statewide, reflecting very affordable housing costs for residents. However, low median home values ($180,300) also signal limited home equity accumulation compared to stronger-income counties.

Develop skills for higher-wage roles

Bradford County residents should prioritize skills training and education that opens doors to higher-paying sectors like healthcare, technology, or specialized trades. Even modest income growth of 10-15% through career advancement or relocation can dramatically accelerate long-term wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Bradford County

via HealthByCounty

Bradford County's health crisis

At 74.1 years, Bradford County residents live nearly 2 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. With 22.9% reporting poor or fair health—the highest in this region—Bradford faces the steepest health burden, indicating systemic barriers to care and chronic illness.

Florida's most vulnerable county

Bradford's 74.1-year life expectancy and 22.9% poor/fair health rate rank among Florida's worst outcomes, trailing the state average of 75.8 years and signaling acute disparities. The county's health crisis reflects limited economic opportunity, provider shortages, and historic underinvestment in health infrastructure.

Trapped in a healthcare desert

Bradford's 14 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest in North Florida—forces residents to travel 30+ miles for routine care, with only 119 mental health providers per 100,000. Compared to neighboring Alachua's 155 primary care providers, Bradford residents face a tenfold access gap that compounds poverty and disease.

Uninsured and isolated

At 12.4% uninsured, Bradford exceeds the state average, yet the absence of local providers means even insured residents struggle to find someone to see them. The combination of sparse coverage and extreme provider shortage creates a perfect storm where preventable diseases go untreated until they become emergencies.

Coverage is your lifeline here

In Bradford County, health insurance isn't optional—it's essential when local care is so scarce. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov to apply for Medicaid or marketplace coverage, and ask about transportation assistance programs that help you reach distant providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Bradford County

via RiskByCounty

Bradford County offers exceptional safety

Bradford County's composite risk score of 36.86 places it well below the U.S. average, earning a "Very Low" rating. This inland, northern location largely insulates the county from Florida's most severe coastal and tropical hazards.

Among Florida's safest counties

Bradford's score of 36.86 is less than half Florida's 75.74 state average, ranking it among the state's lowest-risk counties. Only a handful of inland counties offer comparable safety to Bradford residents.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Bradford County (36.86) significantly outperforms neighboring Alachua (90.33) and Calhoun (44.94) counties. Its inland position provides protection that coastal neighbors cannot match, though it remains slightly riskier than Baker County (13.26).

Wildfire and hurricane remain minor concerns

Wildfire risk scores highest at 80.79, reflecting Florida's seasonal fire season, while hurricane risk (87.57) persists despite the county's distance from the coast. Both hazards remain modest threats compared to tornado risk (41.35) and other weather events.

Standard coverage addresses Bradford risks

Bradford County residents benefit from low overall risk; standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection. Adding wildfire coverage is prudent if your property borders forested areas, though flood insurance is usually unnecessary.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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