countyscore
30.4
County Score
Water Quality 71.8Income & Jobs 64.7Property Tax 55.5

County Report Card

About Duval County, Florida

Major urban center with serious livability issues

Duval County (Jacksonville) scores 30.3, far below the national median of 50.0 and Florida's average of 45.1—placing it in the bottom 20% nationally. Despite being Florida's most populous county and an economic hub, its livability profile is severely compromised by safety challenges.

Among Florida's lowest-scoring major counties

At 30.3, Duval ranks among Florida's bottom counties, trailing the state average by 14.8 points. The county's poor performance is particularly notable given its size and economic significance, indicating that urban growth has not translated to livability gains.

Income and water quality offer some hope

Duval County's income score of 62.8 reflects a diverse economy with median household income of $68,447, above state average. Water quality also scores respectably at 71.8, supporting environmental health.

Safety crisis dominates the county's profile

The county's safety score of 6.9 is among the worst in the nation, reflecting Jacksonville's well-documented crime challenges that deter residents and businesses. Housing costs (12.1) are also extremely high relative to income, squeezing household budgets further.

Urban opportunity hampered by safety concerns

Duval County suits only those who can afford safer enclaves within Jacksonville or who work in specific economic sectors that justify the trade-offs. Families prioritizing safety, affordability, and walkable neighborhoods should explore safer Florida counties or relocate outside the state.

2040608010055.511.66.941.838.664.72.871.826.5Tax55.5Cost11.6Safety6.9Health41.8Schools38.6Income64.7Risk2.8Water71.8Weather26.530.4/100
This county
National avg
2 above average5 below average

Duval County DNA

Foverall

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

Duval County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (71.8/100) but notably weak in Safety (6.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
55.5
Cost
11.6-36.4
Safety
6.9-48.1
Health
41.8-8.200000000000003
Schools
38.6-15.399999999999999
Income
64.7+13.700000000000003
Risk
2.8-44.2
Water
71.8+13.799999999999997
Weather
26.5-29.5
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Compare mortgage rates in Duval County

Whether buying or refinancing in Duval County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$303,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,475/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$303,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$59,000/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $71,277/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

19.1

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
Compare Duval County with Cook County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Cook County
Illinois
Median income: $83,498
30.4
Cuyahoga County
Ohio
Median income: $64,468
30.4
Hamilton County
Ohio
Median income: $72,470
30.4
Jones County
Texas
Median income: $59,464
30.4
Yakima County
Washington
Median income: $70,656
30.4
Miami-Dade County
Florida
Median income: $71,753
30.3
DeKalb County
Georgia
Median income: $80,644
30.3
Deaf Smith County
Texas
Median income: $60,799
30.3

Nearby counties

Nassau County
Florida
48.3
Clay County
Florida
43.9
St. Johns County
Florida
50.6
Charlton County
Georgia
61.2
Baker County
Florida
44.5
Camden County
Georgia
45.8
Bradford County
Florida
58.8
Union County
Florida
54.5

Deep Dives

Duval County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Duval County

via TaxByCounty

Duval County taxes above national average

At 0.779%, Duval County's effective tax rate ranks above the national median of 0.731%, placing it in the top 40% of U.S. counties. With median home values of $274,900, residents pay $2,142 annually—nearly matching the national median property tax of $2,690.

Jacksonville's second-highest tax rate

Duval County (which includes Jacksonville) ranks near the top of Florida counties at 0.779% effective rate, above the state average of 0.731%. Annual property taxes here average $2,142 compared to Florida's statewide median of $1,885.

Duval second only to DeSoto statewide

Duval County's 0.779% rate ranks second-highest among our eight counties, trailing only DeSoto's 0.873%. It exceeds Clay (0.739%), Columbia (0.743%), Dixie (0.738%), Citrus (0.591%), Escambia (0.600%), and Collier (0.661%).

What $274,900 home costs annually

On Duval County's median home value of $274,900, residents pay approximately $2,142 per year in property taxes. Including mortgage-related taxes, annual costs rise to about $2,333.

Appeal if your assessment seems high

Many Florida homeowners are overassessed relative to market value, and Duval County residents can file an appeal with the Property Appraiser's office. The process is typically free and could lower your taxable assessment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Duval County

via IncomeByCounty

Duval County slightly lags national average

Duval County's median household income of $68,447 falls about $6,000 short of the U.S. median of $74,755—an 8% gap. As Florida's largest urban county, Duval earns modestly below the national typical household, reflecting a mix of professional and service-sector employment.

Middle-tier income within Florida

At $68,447, Duval County ranks slightly above Florida's state average of $65,468 by roughly $3,000. As home to Jacksonville and significant military presence, Duval County's income reflects a balanced mix of public and private sector employment.

Outearns rural peers, trails wealthy counties

Duval County's $68,447 income comfortably exceeds rural Columbia County ($55,070) and DeSoto County ($50,868) by $13,000+, but falls well short of Clay County ($86,094) and Collier County ($86,173) by roughly $18,000. This reflects Duval's urban economy relative to rural and wealthy coastal counterparts.

Housing costs lean toward upper threshold

Duval County's rent-to-income ratio of 24.3% exceeds the ideal 20% benchmark, meaning renters spend roughly $1,383 monthly on housing. The median home value of $274,900 is accessible for many households, though tight rental markets strain lower-income residents.

Opportunity for balanced wealth strategies

Duval County households earning near $68,000 have meaningful capacity for retirement savings and modest investments. Employer 401(k) matching, home equity building, and diversified savings accounts offer realistic pathways to financial security over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Duval County

via CrimeByCounty

Duval County Faces Significant Safety Challenges

Duval County reports a safety score of 95.1, placing it well below national safety averages. The total crime rate of 3,132.8 per 100,000 people is much higher than the national average of 2,385.5.

Below the Florida Safety Benchmark

Duval County's safety score of 95.1 lags behind the Florida state average of 98.4. Its total crime rate is triple the state average of 1,027.9, indicating high activity across its 16 reporting agencies.

Duval vs. Its Safer Neighbors

Duval County is the least safe in this comparison, with crime rates far exceeding Clay and Citrus counties. Residents here experience nearly three times the crime found in nearby Clay County.

Analyzing High Crime Volumes

Both violent crime (634.0) and property crime (2,498.8) are significantly elevated compared to state and national norms. These numbers mean that 1 in every 32 residents may be impacted by crime annually.

Prioritizing Comprehensive Home Security

In high-crime areas, comprehensive security systems are a necessity rather than a luxury. Residents should utilize monitored alarms, high-quality cameras, and neighborhood watch programs to increase safety.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Duval County

via WeatherByCounty

Northeast Florida's Temperate Edge

Duval County maintains a 70.0°F annual average, which is warm by national standards but moderate for the Southeast. The region avoids the heavy snowfall found in the northern U.S. entirely.

Just Below State Averages

Duval is slightly cooler than the 71.1°F Florida state average. Its coastal location in the northeast corner provides a bit more seasonal variety than southern counties.

Comparing Coastal Hubs

Duval is cooler than Flagler County to the south but warmer than Columbia County inland. The annual precipitation of 50.8 inches is lower than the state average of 54.8 inches.

Hot Summers, Brisk Winters

Summer averages reach 81.8°F with 74 days topping 90°F. Winter temperatures dip to a brisk average of 57.2°F, though snow remains nonexistent.

Manage the Summer Humidity

With 74 extreme heat days, efficient air conditioning is a standard requirement for Jacksonville residents. Outdoor enthusiasts should track the 50.8 inches of rain to plan activities around summer storms.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Duval County

via SoilByCounty

Northeast Florida's Acidic Edge

Duval County has an average pH of 4.56, making it one of the most acidic counties in the state. This is significantly lower than the national median of 6.5 and even the Florida average of 4.88. Such acidity strongly influences what types of native vegetation and crops can thrive without intervention.

Sand Dominance in the Urban Hub

The soil is 78.7% sand, with silt and clay making up 3.8% and 4.8% of the mix. This provides a bit more texture and 'body' than the state's sandiest regions but remains highly permeable. It is generally easy to work for landscaping, though its acidity is the primary limiting factor.

High Organic Content Supports Growth

Organic matter is a strong point for Duval at 9.57%, well above the state average of 8.03%. This organic richness helps achieve an available water capacity of 0.116 in/in, surpassing the state's typical 0.108 in/in. These numbers suggest that the soil is quite fertile if the pH is managed.

Hydrologic Realities in Duval

While specific hydrologic and drainage classes are currently unrecorded, the 78.7% sand suggests a generally well-drained profile. The high organic matter likely helps mitigate the extreme 'drying out' often seen in sandy soils. This balance makes it a versatile, though acidic, foundation for both gardens and development.

Growing Success in Zone 9b

Duval County is located in Zone 9b, supporting everything from palms to winter kale. The acidic, organic-rich soil is perfect for camellias, gardenias, and blueberries. Home gardeners should focus on using compost and occasionally lime to balance the high acidity for the best results.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Duval County

via LawnByCounty

Duval offers better growing conditions

Duval County is one of the more lawn-friendly areas in Florida with a difficulty score of 23.3. While still below the national average of 50.0, it is notably easier than the state average of 19.2.

Fewer extreme heat days than average

With only 74 extreme heat days, Duval is significantly cooler than the Florida average of 92 days. The 50.8 inches of annual rain is slightly lower than the state average but still falls within the ideal range for most grasses.

Very acidic soil needs careful management

Duval's soil pH of 4.56 is the lowest in this group, making it very acidic and difficult for nutrients to reach the roots. The soil is 78.7% sand, which allows for decent drainage but requires regular organic matter additions.

Managing 27 weeks of drought stress

The county is currently 100% in severe drought, matching the pattern seen across much of the state. To keep your lawn resilient, avoid over-fertilizing during dry spells, as this can increase the grass's need for water.

A long season for Zone 9b turf

St. Augustine grass thrives here, especially if you manage the soil pH. With the last spring frost typically passing by February 9th, you have a very early start to the growing season compared to northern neighbors.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Duval County's county score?
Duval County, Florida has a composite county score of 30.4 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 Duval County rank among counties in Florida?
Duval County ranks #66 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 Duval County, Florida?
The median annual property tax in Duval County is $2,264, with an effective tax rate of 0.75%. This earns Duval County a tax score of 55.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Duval County?
The median household income in Duval County, Florida is $71,277 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Duval County earns an income score of 64.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Duval County, Florida a good place to live?
Duval County scores 30.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #66 in Florida. The best way to evaluate Duval 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 Duval 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.