CountyScore

Duval County

Florida · FL

#56 in Florida
60.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Duval County, Florida

Duval County exceeds national livability standard

Duval County's composite score of 65.5 outperforms the national median of 50.0 by 31%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. As Florida's most populous county, it balances urban economic opportunity with moderate affordability, though housing costs have risen. The profile suits households seeking metropolitan amenities and diverse employment.

Below average but economically dynamic

Duval County scores 65.5, slightly below Florida's state average of 69.4, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 67 counties. However, the county's position as home to Jacksonville—Florida's largest city—means it offers economic dynamism and employment diversity that smaller counties cannot match. Urban households often accept modest affordability trade-offs for these advantages.

Moderate incomes and reasonable tax structure

Duval County's income score of 28.1 reflects a median household income of $68,447, above several rural counties and representing solid middle-class earning potential. The tax score of 80.4 and effective rate of 0.779% keep the tax burden manageable despite the metropolitan setting. For career-focused households, these metrics signal economic stability and employment opportunity.

Rising housing costs pressuring affordability

The cost score of 63.6 reveals growing affordability pressure, with a median home value of $274,900 and median rent of $1,385/month—both above state averages. Data on safety, health, schools, environmental risk, and water quality remain unavailable. Urban residents should research neighborhood-specific conditions before deciding.

Ideal for career-focused professionals seeking urban amenities

Duval County suits professionals, young families, and households prioritizing urban employment diversity and metropolitan amenities over maximum affordability. The county's moderate income levels and reasonable tax rates support middle-class stability, while Jacksonville's size offers robust job markets across sectors. Those seeking rural affordability should explore Citrus, Columbia, or Dixie counties instead.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.4Cost63.6SafetyComing SoonHealth65.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.1Risk2.8WaterComing Soon
🏛80.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠63.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡2.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

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

Counties with similar scores

Arapahoe County
Colorado
60.3
Median income: $97,215
Finney County
Kansas
60.3
Median income: $72,437
Bee County
Texas
60.3
Median income: $56,075
Ogle County
Illinois
60.2
Median income: $79,244
Tulsa County
Oklahoma
60.2
Median income: $67,317

Deep Dives

Duval County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Duval County

via CostByCounty

Duval's urban housing costs strain middle incomes

Duval County's 24.3% rent-to-income ratio approaches the affordability ceiling, despite the county's median household income of $68,447 being slightly below the national average of $74,755. The $1,385 median rent reflects Jacksonville's status as a major urban center where housing costs command premium prices relative to local earning power.

Duval ranks among Florida's less affordable counties

At 24.3%, Duval's rent-to-income ratio exceeds Florida's state average of 22.5%, placing it among the state's more expensive markets. The $1,385 median rent runs $152 above the state average of $1,233, reflecting Jacksonville's significant metro status and concentrated demand.

Duval costs more than most comparison counties

Duval's $1,385 median rent significantly exceeds Clay County ($1,464—actually comparable despite different affordability), Columbia ($915), DeSoto ($910), and Dixie ($792). Homebuyers face median values of $274,900—higher than most rural peers but lower than premium Collier County's $486,800.

Renters face tighter budget constraints

Duval renters spend 24.3% of their $68,447 income on housing, while homeowners dedicate roughly 22.4% to monthly ownership costs on a $274,900 median home. Both figures leave less discretionary income than rural counties, making dual-income households or above-average earnings necessary for comfortable living.

Duval suits those prioritizing urban access

Consider Duval if job opportunities and urban amenities outweigh housing costs—Jacksonville offers major employment, culture, and services worth the premium pricing. For budget-conscious relocators, rural peers like Clay, Columbia, or DeSoto offer better affordability without sacrificing state residency.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Duval County

via HealthByCounty

Duval trails national life expectancy slightly

Duval County residents live to 74.3 years on average, falling 3.8 years short of the U.S. average of 78.1 years. The county's 18.5% poor/fair health rate exceeds national averages, reflecting concentrated health disparities in Jacksonville's urban core and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Mid-tier health outcomes for major metro

Duval County's 74.3-year life expectancy falls 1.5 years below Florida's state average of 75.8 years, placing it in the lower half of Florida's counties. However, its 11.9% uninsured rate is notably better than the state average of 14.4%, showing relatively strong insurance coverage despite urban poverty concentrations.

Jacksonville underperforms Clay County

Duval County's 74.3-year life expectancy significantly trails neighboring Clay County's 75.4 years, despite being a much larger metropolitan area. Yet Duval matches Clay's primary care density at 81 providers per 100,000 residents, suggesting that provider supply alone does not explain the longevity gap.

Strong access masks persistent disparities

Duval County maintains 81 primary care providers and 265 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—excellent healthcare infrastructure for a major city. Yet its 11.9% uninsured rate and 18.5% poor/fair health rate suggest that geographic, social, and economic barriers prevent some residents from translating access into better health outcomes.

Ensure you have coverage this year

Duval County's 11.9% uninsured rate means nearly 1 in 8 residents lack health coverage; if you're one of them, open enrollment is your gateway. Visit your local CareerSource office, community health center, or healthcare.gov to find a plan that fits your Jacksonville family's budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Duval County

via RiskByCounty

Duval ranks among nation's riskiest

Duval County's composite risk score of 97.20 places it in the "Relatively High" category and among the most hazard-exposed counties in America. This elevated profile reflects its Atlantic location, dense urban development in Jacksonville, and exposure to multiple simultaneous disaster types including hurricanes (97.66), flooding (97.55), and tornadoes (91.54).

Second-riskiest county in Florida

At 97.20, Duval County significantly exceeds Florida's state average of 75.74 and ranks as one of the state's two or three highest-risk jurisdictions. The county's Atlantic Coast position, major port infrastructure, and extensive urban footprint create compounded vulnerability to multiple disaster types.

Extreme risk even among Gulf peers

Duval County (97.20) substantially exceeds nearby Clay County (81.08) and approaches or exceeds the state's riskiest coastal counties including Collier (98.92) and Escambia (95.10). As the urban anchor of Northeast Florida, Duval concentrates both population exposure and infrastructure at risk.

Hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes converge

Hurricane risk scores 97.66, flood risk 97.55, and tornado risk 91.54—a devastating combination that threatens the Jacksonville metropolitan area from multiple directions. Storm surge, inland flooding, and severe thunderstorms create compounded seasonal hazards for this densely populated Atlantic County.

Comprehensive multi-hazard insurance critical

With a 97.66 hurricane score and 97.55 flood score, robust homeowners insurance covering wind, hail, and impact damage plus separate flood insurance are non-negotiable for Duval residents. Impact-resistant windows, reinforced roofs, and storm shutters provide practical protection; those in flood-prone neighborhoods should prioritize elevation or relocation if feasible.

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.