CountyScore

Gadsden County

Florida · FL

#20 in Florida
66.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Gadsden County, Florida

Gadsden ranks among nation's top 24 percent

Gadsden County's composite score of 75.9 places it at the 92nd percentile nationally, dramatically exceeding the national median of 50.0. This exceptional 52% outperformance demonstrates Gadsden as one of America's most livable counties by composite measure.

Gadsden ranks second in Florida

At 75.9, Gadsden County leads or ties the state and significantly surpasses Florida's 69.4 average, placing it among the state's top-ranked counties. This strong state position reflects consistent strength across available economic dimensions.

Unmatched affordability drives exceptional appeal

Gadsden dominates in affordability with a cost score of 83.3, median home value of just $154,700, and median rent of $792 monthly—among Florida's lowest. The county also boasts excellent tax efficiency with an 86.7 tax score and 0.552% effective tax rate, the state's lowest.

Income gap reflects rural economic reality

Gadsden's income score of 13.5 is its critical weak point, with median household income of only $46,047. This significant income limitation is the tradeoff for exceptional housing affordability, and safety, health, and school data remain unavailable.

Perfect for retirees and remote-income residents

Gadsden County best suits retirees with fixed income and remote workers whose earnings derive from outside the county, seeking maximum affordability and minimal tax burden. The county's exceptional cost advantage makes it ideal for those prioritizing living expenses over local employment opportunities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.7Cost83.3SafetyComing SoonHealth56.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome13.5Risk27.6WaterComing Soon
🏛86.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡27.6
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 Gadsden County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Nassau County
Florida
66.9
Median income: $88,900
Emanuel County
Georgia
66.9
Median income: $50,053
Warren County
Illinois
66.9
Median income: $64,650
Delaware County
Indiana
66.9
Median income: $56,932
LaPorte County
Indiana
66.9
Median income: $70,452

Deep Dives

Gadsden County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Gadsden County

via TaxByCounty

Gadsden has Florida's lowest tax rate

Gadsden County's effective tax rate of 0.552% is the lowest in Florida and far below the national median. The median property tax of just $854 is one-third the national median of $2,690, making it exceptionally affordable for homeowners.

Dead last—in a good way

Gadsden ranks at the very bottom of Florida counties for property tax rate at 0.552%, well below the state average of 0.731%. Its median property tax of $854 is the lowest statewide, less than half the state median of $1,885.

Unbeatable taxes in the Big Bend region

Gadsden's 0.552% effective rate significantly undercuts Franklin (0.618%), Gilchrist (0.681%), and Hamilton (0.730%). Even compared to other rural North Florida counties, Gadsden offers the most tax-friendly environment for homeowners.

Median home costs only $854 yearly

A homeowner with a median-valued $154,700 home in Gadsden County pays approximately $854 annually in property taxes. This remarkable affordability reflects both low tax rates and modest home values in this rural county.

Even low taxes can be appealed

Gadsden County homeowners should still verify assessments against recent comparable sales in their areas. While taxes are already among Florida's lowest, successful appeals could save hundreds more if your assessed value exceeds what similar homes sell for.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Gadsden County

via CostByCounty

Gadsden offers working-class relief

Gadsden County residents spend 20.6% of income on rent, a full 7.4 percentage points below Florida's state average and among the nation's most affordable markets. With a median household income of $46,047, Gadsden demonstrates that true affordability can exist in a lower-income community when rents stay proportionally modest.

Gadsden's affordability strength

Gadsden's 20.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks well below Florida's 22.5% state average, a significant achievement given the county's $46,047 median income. The $792 monthly median rent—the lowest among surveyed Florida counties—underscores Gadsden's position as a genuinely accessible housing market.

Lowest rents in North Florida

Gadsden's $792 rent is dramatically lower than Flagler ($1,687), Gulf ($1,161), and Gilchrist ($855), positioning it as North Florida's most economical rental choice. This affordability advantage persists despite Gadsden's lower median income, reflecting smaller-scale community demand and rural character.

Gadsden's lean housing economy

Renters allocate $792 monthly from a median income of $46,047, consuming just 20.6% of earnings and freeing up substantial funds for other needs. Homeowners pay $719 monthly on properties valued at $154,700 (18.7% of income), making homeownership accessible to working families in this North Florida county.

Gadsden for genuine affordability

If Florida housing costs have you priced out elsewhere, Gadsden County offers the state's lowest rent without sacrificing respectability or services. The trade-off: smaller-scale employment and less tourism infrastructure than coastal peers, but unbeatable housing economics for those working remotely or locally.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gadsden County

via IncomeByCounty

Gadsden's income gap widens nationally

Gadsden County's median household income of $46,047 falls significantly below the national median of $74,755—a gap of nearly $29,000. The county's per capita income of $23,206 is also well below national averages, indicating substantial economic challenges requiring targeted financial strategies.

Among Florida's lowest-income counties

Gadsden's median household income of $46,047 ranks in Florida's lowest quartile, running 29.6% below the state average of $65,468. The county's per capita income of $23,206 is significantly lower than Florida's state average of $35,698, reflecting limited economic opportunities and wages.

Gadsden faces steeper income challenges

Gadsden's $46,047 median household income trails most adjacent North Florida counties, including Leon County (the capital region) and rural neighbors. The county's income gap signals unique structural economic challenges compared to neighboring areas with more diverse employment bases.

Housing remains affordable despite low income

Gadsden's rent-to-income ratio of 20.6% is well below the 30% threshold, providing strong housing affordability even for lower-income households. However, the median home value of $154,700 still represents significant burden relative to the county's $46,047 median household income, requiring careful financial management.

Build wealth through intentional planning

Gadsden residents should prioritize budgeting, emergency savings, and exploring higher-wage employment opportunities or career advancement. Community resources, vocational training, and local economic development initiatives can help households increase earning potential and build long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Gadsden County

via HealthByCounty

Gadsden faces significant health challenges

At 72.9 years, Gadsden County's life expectancy falls 3.2 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Nearly one in four residents (23.4%) report poor or fair health, well above the national average of 17.8%.

Lowest life expectancy in Florida

Gadsden's 72.9-year life expectancy ranks among Florida's lowest, trailing the state average of 75.8 years by nearly three years. The county's 16.4% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 14.4%, limiting access to care when residents need it most.

Regional health disparities evident

Gadsden's 72.9-year life expectancy lags all neighboring counties in this group, with Hamilton County (71.5 years) being the only county lower. The shortage of primary care providers at 23 per 100,000 underscores barriers to preventive care and early intervention.

Severe provider shortages limit care

Gadsden has only 23 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than half the state median—forcing many to travel for routine care. With 16.4% uninsured, those without coverage face even steeper barriers to the care they need.

Insurance is your gateway to care

More than one in six Gadsden residents lacks health insurance, directly contributing to delayed care and worse health outcomes. Reach out to Florida Medicaid (1-888-540-6446) or visit healthcare.gov to explore coverage options available to you today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Gadsden County

via RiskByCounty

Gadsden's risk sits near national average

Gadsden County's composite risk score of 72.39 falls just below the national average, marking it as relatively low risk overall. This score reflects inland protection from some coastal hazards, though tornado and hurricane exposure persist.

Below-average risk for Florida

Gadsden's score of 72.39 sits slightly below Florida's state average of 75.74, positioning it among the safer counties in the state. The county benefits from its inland location while remaining vulnerable to several hazard types.

Comparable to North Florida peers

Gadsden's 72.39 score aligns closely with Leon County and slightly above Gilchrist County (27.96), reflecting the diversity of risk across the Big Bend region. As a northern tier county, it faces less hurricane exposure than coastal neighbors.

Tornadoes and hurricanes lead threats

Tornado risk of 83.81 is Gadsden's highest hazard, paired with hurricane risk of 91.45 that remains significant despite inland location. Wildfire risk of 79.61 adds another threat, particularly during dry seasons.

Bundle tornado and hurricane coverage

Gadsden residents should prioritize homeowners insurance that covers wind damage from both tornadoes and hurricanes, given the 83.81 and 91.45 risk scores. Flood insurance is recommended for low-lying properties, though tornado damage is the more immediate local threat.

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.