Charlotte County

Florida · FL

#40 in Florida
62.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Charlotte County, Florida

Charlotte Ranks Above National Median

Charlotte County's composite score of 67.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking in the 34th percentile nationally. The county performs respectably on livability metrics.

Slightly Below State Average

Charlotte's 67.0 score trails Florida's average of 69.4 by 2.4 points, placing it just below the state midpoint. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier among Florida's peers.

Balanced Taxes and Housing Value

Charlotte County offers a tax score of 77.3 with an effective rate of 0.887% and a cost score of 69.4, featuring median home values of $291,000. Median household income of $66,154 provides moderate earning capacity.

Income Opportunities Below Average

The income score of 26.6 reflects income levels below comparable counties in this group, limiting household earning potential. Data on schools, safety, health, risk, and water quality remain unavailable.

Suits Retirees Seeking Calm Balance

Charlotte County appeals to retirees and families seeking moderate costs and low taxes in a quieter, less urban setting. The county offers decent livability for those prioritizing simplicity and stability over income growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.3Cost69.4SafetyComing SoonHealth69.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.6Risk4.8WaterComing Soon
🏛77.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠69.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼26.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
69.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
4.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Charlotte County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Charlotte County

via TaxByCounty

Charlotte taxes run moderately high

Charlotte's effective tax rate of 0.887% exceeds the national median of 0.73%, placing it near the 60th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $2,581 runs close to the national median of $2,690, despite a similar median home value of $291,000.

Charlotte ranks among higher-tax counties

Charlotte's 0.887% effective rate exceeds Florida's state average of 0.731%, placing it in the upper tier of state counties. The median property tax of $2,581 surpasses the state average of $1,885 by $696 annually.

Charlotte rivals Alachua for high taxes

Charlotte's 0.887% rate ranks second in this sample, exceeded only by Broward at 0.949% and Alachua at 0.983%. Compared to lower-tax peers like Bay (0.597%) and Calhoun (0.554%), Charlotte carries a substantial tax premium.

Your annual tax bill in Charlotte

On a median home value of $291,000, Charlotte homeowners pay approximately $2,581 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-related fees, the full bill reaches roughly $2,706 per year.

High taxes make appeals essential

Charlotte's elevated tax rates mean overassessments translate to larger dollar losses for homeowners. Filing a free informal appeal with the Property Appraiser could recoup significant annual savings.

Cost of Living in Charlotte County

via CostByCounty

Charlotte County's housing costs run reasonable

Charlotte County renters devote 23.4% of income to housing—slightly below the national threshold—on a $1,289 monthly rent. A median income of $66,154 provides workable cushion, though it trails the U.S. average by roughly $8,600.

Moderate costs for a coastal county

Charlotte's 23.4% rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds Florida's 22.5% state average, while its $1,289 median rent tracks just above the state median of $1,233. For a Gulf Coast county, Charlotte delivers reasonable value.

Coastal balance between affordability tiers

Charlotte's $1,289 rent and 23.4% burden sit between Brevard ($1,456, 23.0%) and Alachua ($1,255, 25.2%), positioning it as the Gulf Coast middle ground. It substantially undercuts Broward ($1,804) while commanding more than inland rural peers.

Renters pay notably more than homeowners

Charlotte renters face a 23.4% burden while homeowners spend just 16.5%—a 6.9-point gap favoring buyers. The $291,000 median home value and $1,014 monthly cost reflect strong equity-building potential for those with down payment savings.

Gulf Coast option for moderate earners

Charlotte County offers reasonable coastal living for middle-income households, balancing beach proximity with manageable rents. If you want Gulf Coast access without Broward's affordability crisis, Charlotte's 23.4% burden and $66,000 median income create a viable path.

Income & Jobs in Charlotte County

via IncomeByCounty

Charlotte matches national income levels

Charlotte County's median household income of $66,154 sits $8,601 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the middle tier of U.S. counties. While below the national average, Charlotte's income reflects a solid middle-class economy supported by tourism, retirees, and professional services.

Just above Florida's state average

Charlotte's $66,154 income edges out Florida's state average of $65,468 by just $686, positioning it right at the state median. The county's economy reflects a mix of seasonal tourism employment and year-round residents in healthcare and professional services.

Mid-tier earner in Southwest Florida

Charlotte ($66,154) ranks in the middle of this eight-county group, notably below Brevard ($75,817) and Broward ($74,534) but well ahead of Calhoun ($46,901). Its per capita income of $40,603 suggests a community with meaningful professional and managerial positions balancing lower-wage service jobs.

Housing costs reasonable for income

Charlotte's rent-to-income ratio of 23.4% sits squarely in the sustainable range, despite median home values of $291,000. The county offers reasonable housing affordability for its income level, supporting household savings and financial stability.

Capitalize on retiree economy growth

Charlotte's growing retiree population creates service and healthcare job opportunities; residents should pursue certifications in nursing, elder care, or hospitality management for stable, growing careers. Leverage the county's affordable housing relative to its income to build home equity and invest in supplemental income streams.

Health in Charlotte County

via HealthByCounty

Charlotte County lives above average

At 78.8 years, Charlotte County residents live nearly 2.7 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. With 16.3% reporting poor or fair health—well below the national average of 21%—Charlotte reflects strong population health and effective disease management.

Among Florida's healthiest counties

Charlotte's 78.8-year life expectancy exceeds the Florida state average of 75.8 years by 3 years, ranking it among the state's top health performers. The 16.3% poor/fair health rate reinforces this strength, suggesting a well-maintained population with access to preventive and chronic care.

A bright spot in Southwest Florida

Charlotte's 78.8-year life expectancy towers over Northern Florida counties like Bradford (74.1) and Baker (73.5) by 4-5 years. With 62 primary care providers per 100,000 and 126 mental health providers per 100,000, Charlotte offers reasonable but modest specialty access, relying partly on retiree health systems and seasonal fluctuations.

Coverage near state average

At 14% uninsured, Charlotte nearly matches the state average of 14.4%, with most residents protected against catastrophic medical costs. The 62 primary care providers per 100,000 serve an aging, relatively stable population well, though the 126 mental health providers per 100,000 may stretch thin during mental health crises.

Sustain Charlotte's health edge

Even with solid overall health, 14% of Charlotte residents lack coverage, risking their wellbeing and financial security. Check healthcare.gov or Florida's marketplace to confirm your coverage status and explore options—being insured keeps you healthy and protects your retirement.

Disaster Risk in Charlotte County

via RiskByCounty

Charlotte faces substantial disaster exposure

Charlotte County's composite risk score of 95.20 ranks in the "Relatively High" category, placing it among America's most hazard-prone counties. This Gulf Coast location concentrates extreme hurricane, flood, and wildfire risks that most U.S. regions don't experience.

Third-riskiest county in Florida

Charlotte's score of 95.20 exceeds Florida's 75.74 state average by 26 percent, ranking it in the top tier of the state's 67 counties. Only Broward (99.46) and Brevard (98.41) surpass Charlotte's composite risk level.

High-risk Gulf Coast position

Charlotte County (95.20) approaches the extreme risk of coastal neighbors Brevard (98.41) and Broward (99.46), and far exceeds inland Calhoun (44.94). Its Gulf Coast geography aligns it with Florida's most vulnerable coastal counties.

Hurricanes and floods threaten year-round

Hurricane risk dominates at 99.00, followed by flood risk (90.40) and wildfire risk (92.53)—all extremely elevated for this Gulf Coast county. Together, these three hazards create compounded, seasonal, and ongoing threats to property and residents.

Robust insurance coverage is imperative

Charlotte County residents must secure comprehensive homeowners insurance with maximum hurricane wind protection and separate flood insurance for coastal and low-lying properties. Elevate critical utilities, reinforce your roof and doors, and maintain evacuation plans as standard practice.

ByCounty Network

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