CountyScore

Calhoun County

Florida · FL

#5 in Florida
71.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Calhoun County, Florida

Calhoun Ranks in Top 57% Nationally

Calhoun County's composite score of 78.7 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking in the 57th percentile. The county demonstrates exceptional livability by national standards.

Florida's Second-Best County

At 78.7, Calhoun outpaces Florida's state average of 69.4 by 9.3 points and ranks among the state's top livability destinations. Only Bradford County exceeds Calhoun's strong performance.

Extraordinary Affordability Wins

Calhoun dominates with a cost score of 88.8 (the highest in this group) and median rent of just $680 with median home values of $134,000. A tax score of 86.7 and effective rate of 0.554% ensure minimal tax burden.

Income Levels Trail Significantly

The income score of 14.0 reflects a median household income of just $46,901, the lowest in this group by substantial margin. Data gaps on schools, safety, health, and water quality limit the full livability picture.

Ideal for Retirees and Low-Income Households

Calhoun County is perfect for retirees, fixed-income households, and remote workers seeking maximum affordability with virtually no tax burden. The county offers exceptional value for those not reliant on strong local incomes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.7Cost88.8SafetyComing SoonHealth57.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome14Risk55.1WaterComing Soon
🏛86.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡55.1
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 Calhoun County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bullock County
Alabama
71.5
Median income: $36,723
Cherokee County
Alabama
71.5
Median income: $50,769
Bradley County
Arkansas
71.5
Median income: $39,565
Franklin County
Arkansas
71.5
Median income: $51,919
Fulton County
Arkansas
71.5
Median income: $38,941

Deep Dives

Calhoun County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Calhoun County

via TaxByCounty

Calhoun offers lowest possible taxes

Calhoun's effective tax rate of 0.554% sits substantially below the national median of 0.73%, ranking in roughly the 20th percentile nationally. The median property tax of just $743 runs $1,947 below the national median, making Calhoun an exceptional value.

Calhoun ranks Florida's lowest tax

Calhoun's 0.554% effective rate is the lowest among all Florida counties in this analysis, well below the state average of 0.731%. The median property tax of $743 is the lowest in this eight-county sample, saving homeowners $1,142 versus the state average of $1,885.

Calhoun beats all regional peers

Calhoun's 0.554% rate edges out even Bradford County at 0.567%, establishing it as Florida's most tax-friendly county in this region. The county is unmatched among North and Central Florida alternatives.

Your annual tax bill in Calhoun

On a median home value of $134,000, Calhoun residents pay just $743 annually in property taxes. With mortgage-related expenses included, the total bill reaches approximately $1,141 per year—the lowest in this entire sample.

Even Calhoun homeowners can appeal

Despite already low baseline taxes, some Calhoun residents remain overassessed and eligible for further relief. Contacting the Property Appraiser about a free informal appeal is worthwhile, regardless of county tax levels.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Calhoun County

via CostByCounty

Calhoun offers genuine rural affordability

Calhoun County's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio and $680 monthly rent deliver exceptional affordability despite a lower median income of $46,901. Residents here spend far less on housing than typical Americans, preserving maximum income for other needs.

Among Florida's most affordable counties

Calhoun's 17.4% housing burden and $680 rent rank in Florida's affordability elite, beating the state average of 22.5% by 5 percentage points. Only a handful of rural counties match this value proposition.

Second-cheapest in North Florida region

Calhoun's $680 rent trails only Bradford ($838) in the panhandle and North Central region, undercutting Alachua ($1,255), Baker ($1,011), and Bay ($1,424). The ultra-low rent reflects genuine rural character and limited urban amenities.

Renters and owners both find relief

Calhoun renters spend 17.4% of income while homeowners spend 12.6%—among the lowest burdens in Florida. A $134,000 median home value and $494 monthly owner cost make homeownership exceptionally accessible.

True small-town living at unbeatable cost

Calhoun County suits retirees and remote workers seeking maximum affordability with zero urban amenities. If you prize budget over big-city access, Calhoun's $680 rent and 17% burden offer unmatched financial freedom in Florida.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Calhoun County

via IncomeByCounty

Calhoun faces severe income challenges

Calhoun County's median household income of $46,901 is the lowest in this eight-county group, trailing the national median of $74,755 by $27,854. This 37% deficit places Calhoun in the bottom 10% of U.S. counties, indicating severe structural economic challenges.

Lowest income county in Florida

Calhoun's $46,901 median household income falls $18,567 below Florida's state average of $65,468, representing the lowest earnings among all surveyed Florida counties. The rural, sparsely populated county struggles with limited employment diversity and brain drain to larger urban centers.

Severely trails all regional peers

Calhoun ($46,901) lags every neighbor by substantial margins, with Bradford ($59,740) the closest comparable county—still $12,839 ahead. This isolation reflects Calhoun's unique challenges as a remote, rural county with minimal industrial or service sector employment.

Rent ratio low but income insufficient

While Calhoun's rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% appears affordable, the underlying income of $46,901 is simply too low to support household necessities. Median home values of just $134,000 underscore limited wealth accumulation across the community.

Pursue education and relocation strategies

Calhoun County residents face structural economic barriers that local action alone cannot overcome; education and strategic relocation offer the most realistic paths to higher incomes. Consider vocational training in high-demand fields like healthcare or skilled trades, potentially requiring relocation to larger labor markets where employers can justify higher wages.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Calhoun County

via HealthByCounty

Calhoun County's urgent health crisis

At 72.7 years, Calhoun County residents live over 3 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. With 22.3% reporting poor or fair health—among the nation's worst rates—Calhoun faces a severe, systemic health emergency requiring immediate intervention and investment.

Florida's lowest life expectancy

Calhoun's 72.7-year life expectancy ranks dead last among Florida counties, trailing the state average of 75.8 years by 3.1 years. The 22.3% poor/fair health rate signals widespread chronic disease, limited care access, and economic hardship across this rural community.

The region's darkest health picture

Calhoun's 72.7-year life expectancy significantly trails all peers in this analysis, with only 29 primary care providers per 100,000—fewer than Bradford County's 14 per capita but in absolute terms, leaving the county with virtually no local care infrastructure. With 111 mental health providers per 100,000, Calhoun residents battle isolation, poverty, and despair with minimal professional support.

Uninsured and forgotten

At 15.3% uninsured, Calhoun exceeds the state average, while its sparse 29 primary care providers per 100,000 serve a population with limited mobility and means. This double burden—lack of coverage and lack of providers—traps residents in a cycle of untreated illness, emergency care, and early death.

Insurance is your first act of survival

Calhoun County's health crisis demands immediate action: enroll in Medicaid or a marketplace plan at healthcare.gov or by calling 1-800-318-2596. Coverage opens pathways to preventive care, medication, and specialist referrals that can extend your life and improve your quality of living right now.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Calhoun County

via RiskByCounty

Calhoun enjoys relatively low disaster risk

Calhoun County's composite risk score of 44.94 earns a "Relatively Low" rating, placing it well below the U.S. average. This Panhandle location avoids the extreme coastal and tropical exposures that challenge much of Florida.

Below-average risk for Florida

Calhoun's score of 44.94 sits significantly below Florida's 75.74 state average, ranking it in the safer half of the state's counties. The county's inland, rural character provides natural shelter from many major hazards.

Safer than Bay, comparable to Bradford

Calhoun County (44.94) ranks more favorably than neighboring Bay County (94.12) but slightly riskier than Bradford County (36.86). Its inland Panhandle position provides protection unavailable to Gulf Coast neighbors.

Hurricane risk persists despite inland location

Hurricane risk scores 89.11—Calhoun's highest—reflecting tropical systems' inland reach, while tornado risk (56.62) and wildfire risk (59.64) pose secondary threats. The county's small population reduces the practical impact of these moderate hazards.

Standard coverage with wildfire consideration

Calhoun County residents typically need only standard homeowners insurance to cover local hazards, though wildfire coverage is wise if you live near forested areas. Flood insurance is generally not a priority unless your property is in a flood zone.

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.