countyscore
41.3
County Score
Income & Jobs 78.4Water Quality 65.6Property Tax 63.1

County Report Card

About Brevard County, Florida

Brevard trails national livability standards

Brevard County scores 41.3 against the national median of 50.0, placing it in the bottom 40% of U.S. counties despite strong income levels. The gap reflects a classic trade-off: high earning potential ($75,817 median household income) paired with severe housing affordability constraints and limited environmental resilience. The county rewards earners but punishes affordability seekers.

Below Florida's average despite high incomes

Brevard's score of 41.3 underperforms Florida's 45.1 average, placing it in the lower half of state counties. Paradoxically, the county has Florida's highest median household incomes but ranks near the bottom in overall livability due to median home values of $304,400 and rents of $1,456/month. This mismatch signals a prosperity that doesn't translate to accessible living.

Income and health infrastructure lead

Brevard's income score of 78.4 and median household income of $75,817 rank among Florida's highest, reflecting strong aerospace and technology sectors. Health score of 59.0 indicates solid medical infrastructure supporting the county's larger population. Tax burden is reasonable at 63.1 (0.703% effective rate).

Housing costs and environmental risk strain livability

The cost score of 14.2 reflects acute affordability pressure: median home values of $304,400 and rents of $1,456/month consume substantial household income even among above-average earners. Environmental risk score of 1.6 signals high vulnerability to flooding and coastal hazards, a critical concern in a coastal county. School quality (30.1) also trails state averages.

For high-earning professionals accepting coastal premiums

Brevard suits dual-income professionals in aerospace, tech, and defense sectors who earn well above median and can absorb premium housing costs and coastal risks. Families on single incomes or seeking affordable neighborhoods should look inland; this county's livability depends on robust household earnings. The profile rewards specialization and earning power over balanced, accessible living.

Score breakdown

Tax63.1Cost14.2Safety44.5Health59Schools30.1Income78.4Risk1.6Water65.6Weather25.4
🏛63.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠14.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼78.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡44.5
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤59
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓30.1
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡1.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧65.6
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤25.4
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨38.5
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱25.5
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

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32.1
Seminole County
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Osceola County
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Indian River County
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Deep Dives

Brevard County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Brevard County

via TaxByCounty

Brevard taxes slightly below average

Brevard's effective tax rate of 0.703% sits just below the national median of 0.73%, placing it near the 45th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $2,139 runs $551 below the national median, despite higher home values of $304,400 versus $281,900 nationwide.

Brevard aligns with Florida average

Brevard's 0.703% effective rate nearly matches Florida's state average of 0.731%, making it a moderate-tax county by state standards. The median property tax of $2,139 exceeds the state average of $1,885 by $254 annually.

Brevard sits in the middle ground

Brevard's 0.703% rate falls between lower-tax Bay County (0.597%) and higher-tax Alachua (0.983%). For a major metropolitan county, Brevard offers relatively balanced tax treatment.

Your annual tax bill in Brevard

On a median home value of $304,400, Brevard homeowners pay approximately $2,139 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-related expenses, the full bill reaches roughly $2,290 per year.

Reassessment appeals available now

Brevard homeowners with recently purchased homes or properties may be overassessed from volatile market values. A free informal appeal to the Property Appraiser could reveal substantial tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Brevard County

via CostByCounty

Brevard balances strong income with high rents

Brevard County renters spend 23.0% of income on housing—just below the national threshold—thanks to a median income of $75,817, above the U.S. average. At $1,456 monthly, rents are steep, but household earnings cushion the burden.

Premium coastal county with manageable burden

Brevard's 23.0% rent-to-income ratio sits slightly below Florida's 22.5% average, a rare win for a high-rent county. The Space Coast's $1,456 median rent ranks third-highest statewide, yet strong local incomes keep affordability reasonable.

Costlier than inland peers, worth the trade

Brevard's $1,456 rent exceeds Alachua ($1,255), Charlotte ($1,289), and most rural counties, rivaled only by Broward ($1,804). But Brevard's median income of $75,817 is among Florida's strongest, making the math work better than raw rent suggests.

Homeownership offers modest savings

Brevard renters and homeowners face similar burdens—23.0% and 18.1% respectively—but the $304,400 median home value is steep. Strong local incomes from aerospace and tech jobs make ownership achievable for higher earners, though it requires substantial down payments.

High-income professionals' space coast choice

Brevard County suits higher earners seeking coastal lifestyle without the Broward price shock—incomes here are among Florida's best. If you're tech or aerospace-employed with household income above $75,000, Brevard's 23% housing burden is quite manageable.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Brevard County

via IncomeByCounty

Brevard exceeds national income standard

Brevard County's median household income of $75,817 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by $1,062, placing it solidly in the upper-middle tier nationally. Driven by aerospace, defense, and high-tech employment, Brevard's economy consistently delivers above-average wages.

Among Florida's highest-earning counties

Brevard's $75,817 median household income significantly exceeds Florida's state average of $65,468, outpacing the state by $10,349. This positions Brevard in the top 10% of Florida counties, reflecting strength in aerospace and technology sectors concentrated around Kennedy Space Center and Melbourne.

Regional income champion

Brevard County ($75,817) clearly leads its Central Florida neighbors, with Bay County ($70,188) and Charlotte County ($66,154) trailing significantly. Its per capita income of $42,738 is the highest among regional peers, underscoring a robust professional workforce.

Housing costs rise with affluence

Brevard's rent-to-income ratio of 23.0% sits comfortably in the sustainable range despite median home values of $304,400. The county's strong incomes support higher housing costs, and most households maintain healthy financial margins after housing expenses.

Maximize earnings with tech careers

Brevard's aerospace and technology sectors offer six-figure earning potential for skilled professionals in engineering, software development, and program management. Residents should invest aggressively in professional certifications, stock portfolios, and retirement accounts to convert high incomes into lasting wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Brevard County

via CrimeByCounty

Space Coast Safety Beats National Average

Brevard County holds a solid safety score of 98.0, with a crime rate of 1241.2 per 100,000 residents. This performance is far better than the national total crime rate of 2,385.5.

Brevard County Nears Florida Averages

The local safety score of 98.0 is just a fraction below the Florida state average of 98.4. However, the crime rate of 1241.2 is slightly higher than the statewide average of 1027.9.

Brevard vs Coastal Neighbor Comparisons

Brevard sees more crime than Charlotte County, which reports a rate of 747.2. Despite this, the county remains a safe alternative compared to many of Florida's larger metropolitan areas.

Property and Violent Crime Insights

The county reports 1006.7 property crimes per 100,000, which is roughly half the national average. Violent crime stands at 234.5, well below the U.S. benchmark of 369.8.

Securing Homes on the Space Coast

With property crime as the most common issue, residents should focus on securing garage doors and entryways. Smart doorbells and automatic timers for indoor lights can create a safer home environment.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Brevard County

via HealthByCounty

Brevard meets the nation's health standard

At 75.8 years, Brevard County residents live right at the U.S. average of 76.1 years, reflecting solid overall health parity with the country. The 15% poor/fair health rate—nearly 6 points below the national average—shows that Brevard residents enjoy better self-reported health than most Americans.

Brevard matches Florida's best

At 75.8 years, Brevard's life expectancy equals the Florida state average exactly, placing the county squarely in the middle of the state's health performance. The 15% poor/fair health rate ranks among Florida's best, demonstrating effective health management across the population.

A reliable health performer

Brevard's 75.8-year life expectancy outpaces Baker, Bradford, and Bay counties by 1-2 years, while its 15% poor/fair health rate is the lowest in this comparison group. With 72 primary care providers per 100,000 and 200 mental health providers per 100,000, Brevard offers solid if not exceptional access to both routine and behavioral care.

Solid coverage, steady access

At 11.2% uninsured, Brevard performs better than the state average of 14.4%, ensuring most residents can access care without cost barriers. The 72 primary care providers per 100,000 mean reasonable availability for routine visits, though wait times can extend during seasonal population swings in this retirement-heavy county.

Keep Brevard's edge with coverage

While 11.2% uninsured is below state average, that still means thousands lack protection against medical debt and delayed diagnoses. Visit healthcare.gov to explore marketplace and Medicaid options—staying covered ensures you benefit from Brevard's solid healthcare infrastructure when you need it most.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Brevard County

via SchoolsByCounty

Extensive Educational Reach on the Space Coast

Brevard County manages a massive network of 111 public schools, providing education to 74,125 students. The landscape is dominated by 70 elementary schools, supported by 11 middle and 22 high schools. This comprehensive infrastructure is managed by a single, county-wide school district.

Solid Performance and Efficient Spending

Brevard achieves a 90.0% graduation rate, outperforming the national average of 87.0% and the state average of 89.8%. The district operates on $5,745 per pupil, which is below the national average but produces a competitive school score of 50.8. These numbers reflect a system that prioritizes graduation and academic completion.

A Large-Scale District with Charter Options

The Brevard District handles one of the state's largest student populations with 74,125 learners. Charter schools are a significant part of the mix, with 13 institutions representing 11.7% of all schools. One of the largest schools in the county is the Odyssey Charter School, which serves 1,847 students from kindergarten through high school.

A Primarily Suburban School Experience

Education in Brevard is mostly a suburban affair, with 58 schools in suburb locales and 42 in city settings. The average school size is 693 students, though flagship high schools like Viera High enroll over 2,200. This variety provides both modern suburban campuses and established urban learning centers.

Launch Your Family's Future in Brevard

Brevard County offers an attractive combination of high graduation rates and diverse school locales. Whether you are looking for a large suburban high school or a specialized charter experience, the Space Coast has a neighborhood for you. Home buyers often target areas like Viera or Melbourne to stay close to top-rated high schools.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Brevard County

via RiskByCounty

Brevard faces severe, broad-spectrum risk

Brevard County's composite risk score of 98.41 ranks in the "Relatively High" category, placing it among America's highest-risk counties. This Space Coast location faces extreme exposure to hurricanes, flooding, and wildfire simultaneously.

Second-riskiest county in Florida

Brevard's 98.41 score exceeds Florida's 75.74 average by a dramatic margin, ranking it second only to Broward County (99.46). The county's long Atlantic coastline and dense urban population concentrate natural disaster exposure at exceptional levels.

Most extreme risk in its region

Brevard County (98.41) dwarfs the risk profiles of inland neighbors like Volusia (scores unavailable) and significantly exceeds most surrounding counties. Only its neighbor Broward approaches Brevard's extreme vulnerability to multiple hazard types.

Hurricanes lead, followed by wildfire and tornado

Hurricane risk peaks at 99.71—among the nation's highest—while wildfire (97.17) and tornado risk (95.29) round out a triple threat. Brevard residents face compounded exposure to all major wind and fire hazards across the calendar year.

Multilayered insurance is not optional

Brevard County residents must obtain homeowners insurance with maximum hurricane wind coverage and separate flood insurance—both are critical. Consider reinforcing your home's roof, garage doors, and windows, and maintain evacuation plans for hurricane season (June–November).

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Brevard County

via WeatherByCounty

Atlantic Coast Warmth All Year

Brevard County’s average annual temperature of 72.3°F is significantly higher than the national median. This Atlantic coast climate provides consistent warmth that sets it apart from most U.S. regions.

Warmer Than the State Baseline

Brevard is warmer than the state average of 71.1°F, reflecting its position along the warmer Atlantic coastline. Its January average of 60.5°F is notably higher than inland northern counties.

Coastal Winds Keep Heat Manageable

Brevard is warmer than Citrus County to the west but sees fewer extreme heat days, with only 61 days topping 90°F. Its 51.5 inches of annual rain is slightly drier than the state average of 54.8 inches.

Very Mild Winters, No Snow

Summers are tempered by ocean breezes, keeping the average at 81.1°F, while winters are very mild at 62.3°F. The county records zero inches of snow and fewer extreme heat days than many inland Florida locations.

Coastal Living and Corrosion Control

Coastal residents should plan for high humidity and 51.5 inches of rain by choosing corrosion-resistant materials. The 61 extreme heat days are manageable, but efficient cooling is essential for the consistently warm 81.5°F July days.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Brevard County

via SoilByCounty

Brevard's Entisols and higher pH

The dominant taxonomic order here is Entisols, with an average pH of 5.27. This is less acidic than the state average of 4.88, though still below the national median of 6.5.

Coarse sand and low silt

The texture is primarily Sand, consisting of 78.8% sand, 2.3% silt, and 3.2% clay. This mix provides excellent structural stability for infrastructure and good drainage for agriculture.

Rich organic content on the coast

Brevard boasts a high organic matter content of 12.73%, significantly beating the national 2.0% average. The available water capacity is 0.096 in/in, which is slightly below the state benchmark of 0.108 in/in.

Moderately well-drained Group A

The soil is classified as 'Moderately well drained' and belongs to hydrologic group A. This means the soil has high infiltration rates and low runoff potential, which is ideal for managing storm water.

Tropical vibes in Zone 10a

Moving into Zone 10a, Brevard can support more tropical species like citrus and even some cold-protected mangoes. The combination of high organic matter and good drainage makes this an excellent place to start a backyard grove.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Brevard County

via LawnByCounty

A More Manageable Climate on the Space Coast

Brevard County is one of the easier places in Florida to grow a lawn, scoring a 25.5 on the difficulty scale. This is significantly better than the state average of 19.2, though still well below the national median of 50.0. Located in Hardiness Zone 10a, the county offers a tropical environment where grass can thrive with slightly less effort.

Moderate Heat and Consistent Precipitation

Brevard enjoys a relatively mild 61 extreme heat days per year, which is much lower than the state average of 92. The 51.5 inches of annual rain is nearly perfect for lawn health, falling just outside the ideal 30-50 inch window. A high count of 8,189 growing degree days reflects a nearly year-round growing season for tropical turf.

Working with Sandy, Moderately Acidic Soil

The soil here is 78.8% sand and classified as 'moderately well drained,' which is better than many neighboring counties. With a pH of 5.27, it is still acidic but closer to the ideal range than most of North Florida. Minimal amendments are needed compared to the rest of the state, though regular organic top-dressing helps retain moisture.

Stronger Resilience to Dry Conditions

While 49.6% of the county is in severe drought, the overall drought duration of 32 weeks is managed better by Brevard's soil type. To conserve water, local experts recommend keeping mower blades high to shade the soil and reduce evaporation. Always check for local water restrictions, as coastal communities often have strict irrigation schedules.

Brevard's Tropical Turf Choices

Bermuda and St. Augustine 'Floratam' thrive in the Zone 10a heat and handle the sandy texture of the Space Coast well. Because the last frost occurs as early as January 25, you can start your lawn earlier than almost anywhere else in the state. Focus on phosphorus-free fertilizers to protect the nearby Indian River Lagoon from runoff.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brevard County's county score?
Brevard County, Florida has a composite county score of 41.3 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 Brevard County rank among counties in Florida?
Brevard County ranks #46 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 Brevard County, Florida?
The median annual property tax in Brevard County is $2,139, with an effective tax rate of 0.70%. This earns Brevard County a tax score of 63.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Brevard County?
The median household income in Brevard County, Florida is $75,817 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Brevard County earns an income score of 78.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Brevard County, Florida a good place to live?
Brevard County scores 41.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #46 in Florida. The best way to evaluate Brevard 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 Brevard County with other counties side by side.

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