CountyScore

Gilchrist County

Florida · FL

#2 in Florida
72.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Gilchrist County, Florida

Gilchrist reaches 92nd percentile nationally

Gilchrist County's composite score of 75.8 places it at the 92nd percentile nationwide, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 52 points. This elite ranking reflects strong across-the-board performance in tax and cost dimensions.

Gilchrist ranks near top of Florida

With a score of 75.8, Gilchrist County surpasses Florida's state average of 69.4 and ranks among the state's 67 counties' highest performers. This strong state standing reflects consistently above-average livability metrics.

Affordability and low taxes dominate

Gilchrist excels with a cost score of 83.5 (median home value $191,000, median rent $855) and tax score of 83.1 (0.681% effective tax rate). These dual affordability strengths create an exceptionally accessible living environment for cost-conscious residents.

Income limitation is main tradeoff

Gilchrist's income score of 23.3 reflects a median household income of $61,070, the county's primary weakness versus its affordability advantages. Complete assessment is limited by unavailable data on safety, health, schools, and environmental risk.

Suits retirees and value-focused families

Gilchrist County attracts retirees, remote workers, and families seeking maximum housing affordability with low taxes in a rural setting. The county's strong cost advantage appeals to those whose income derives from pensions, remote work, or investments rather than local employment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.1Cost83.5SafetyComing SoonHealth62.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.3Risk72.1WaterComing Soon
🏛83.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡72.1
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 Gilchrist County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Butler County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $44,881
Choctaw County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $44,483
Hale County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $41,325
Pike County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $47,961
Crawford County
Georgia
72.3
Median income: $60,905

Deep Dives

Gilchrist County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Gilchrist County

via TaxByCounty

Gilchrist taxes fall below national average

Gilchrist County's effective tax rate of 0.681% sits slightly below Florida's state average of 0.731% and well below the national median. The median property tax of $1,301 is significantly lower than the national median of $2,690, reflecting rural Florida's tax advantages.

Below-average taxes for rural Florida

Gilchrist ranks in the lower half of Florida counties at 0.681% effective rate, about 7% below the state average of 0.731%. Its median property tax of $1,301 is 31% lower than the state median of $1,885.

More affordable than Flagler and Hamilton

Gilchrist's 0.681% rate is lower than Flagler's 0.788% and nearly identical to Hamilton's 0.730%, but Gilchrist homeowners pay less total tax due to lower home values. At a median home value of $191,000, Gilchrist offers a sweet spot of reasonable rates and affordable properties.

Median home: roughly $1,301 yearly

A homeowner with a $191,000 median-valued home in Gilchrist County pays approximately $1,301 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, the bill rises to $1,597; without one, it drops to $1,045.

Challenge your assessment for savings

If your Gilchrist County home's assessed value hasn't been reviewed recently, it may be overvalued relative to current market sales. Filing a Value Adjustment Board appeal costs nothing and could reduce your annual bill by hundreds if your assessment exceeds comparable recent sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Gilchrist County

via CostByCounty

Gilchrist leads housing affordability

Gilchrist County residents spend just 16.8% of income on rent—among the lowest rent-to-income ratios nationally and far below the 28% affordability threshold. With median household income at $61,070 and rent at $855 monthly, Gilchrist offers exceptional housing value by national standards.

Gilchrist beats Florida average

At 16.8%, Gilchrist's rent-to-income ratio is the strongest in this eight-county survey and well below Florida's 22.5% state average. The county's $855 median rent runs $378 lower than the state median of $1,233, making Gilchrist a genuine affordability standout.

Gilchrist's rental sweet spot

Gilchrist's $855 rent splits the difference between Gadsden's $792 and Flagler's $1,687, but pairs with higher income than most neighbors, delivering optimal affordability. Only Gadsden beats Gilchrist on pure rent levels, but Gilchrist's $61,070 median income provides stronger financial stability.

Gilchrist's favorable housing math

Renters spend $855 monthly from a $61,070 median income, consuming just 16.8% of earnings and retaining 83.2% for taxes, living expenses, and wealth-building. Homeowners encounter median monthly costs of $623 (12.2% of income), with median home values of $191,000 offering affordable entry into homeownership.

Gilchrist: Florida's best housing value

Gilchrist County delivers the strongest rent-to-income balance among comparable Florida counties, freeing up maximum income for other priorities. If you prioritize housing affordability with modest income requirements, Gilchrist's rural charm and low housing burden offer unbeatable relocation economics.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gilchrist County

via IncomeByCounty

Gilchrist's income trails U.S. average

Gilchrist County's median household income of $61,070 falls short of the national median of $74,755 by about $13,700. The county's per capita income of $33,507 is also below national benchmarks, reflecting the economic profile of a small, rural North Florida community.

Below-average earner in Florida

Gilchrist's median household income of $61,070 sits 6.7% below Florida's state average of $65,468, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Florida counties. The per capita income of $33,507 is slightly lower than the state average of $35,698, indicating modest earning power across the county.

Gilchrist matches small rural county pattern

Gilchrist's $61,070 median household income is comparable to nearby Franklin County ($62,734) and slightly above Hamilton County ($47,696). The county's rural character limits employment diversity, but its income levels remain stable relative to other North Florida small counties.

Strong housing affordability for residents

Gilchrist's rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% is among Florida's lowest, well below the 30% affordability threshold. The median home value of $191,000 is very manageable relative to household incomes, providing genuine housing security for Gilchrist residents.

Leverage affordability to build savings

Gilchrist's low housing costs free up household budgets for savings, retirement accounts, and debt reduction—key wealth-building tools. Focus on career development and exploring remote work opportunities to supplement local income sources and accelerate financial progress.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Gilchrist County

via HealthByCounty

Gilchrist falls slightly below U.S. average

Gilchrist's 74.9-year life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 1.2 years. One in five residents (20%) report poor or fair health, exceeding the national average of 17.8%.

Below-average outcomes for the state

Gilchrist's life expectancy of 74.9 years falls short of Florida's 75.8-year state average, and its 14.1% uninsured rate mirrors the state baseline. While uninsured rates are close to state average, life expectancy shortfalls suggest underlying health challenges.

Mixed results among regional peers

Gilchrist's 74.9-year life expectancy ranks below Flagler (77.9 years) but above Franklin (75.1 years) and Gadsden (72.9 years). With 44 primary care providers per 100,000 and 133 mental health providers per 100,000, provider access is moderate for a rural county.

Adequate providers but health gaps remain

Gilchrist offers 44 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and strong mental health access at 133 per 100,000, above regional averages. Despite these resources, one in five residents report poor health, suggesting barriers beyond provider availability.

Secure coverage for peace of mind

With 14.1% of Gilchrist residents uninsured, there's work to do in connecting people to healthcare plans. Head to healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to find coverage that fits your needs and budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Gilchrist County

via RiskByCounty

Gilchrist ranks among safest U.S. counties

Gilchrist County's composite risk score of 27.96 is among the lowest in the nation, earning a very low risk rating. This exceptionally safe profile reflects minimal exposure to earthquakes, flooding, and tornadoes.

Florida's lowest-risk county

Gilchrist's score of 27.96 dramatically undercuts Florida's state average of 75.74, making it the safest county in the state by composite measure. The rural, inland character of the county minimizes exposure across most hazard categories.

Significantly safer than region

Gilchrist's 27.96 score substantially beats Gadsden County (72.39) and all other North Florida neighbors, reflecting its remote inland position. Even Hamilton County (43.00) carries notably more risk.

Wildfire and hurricane are main concerns

Wildfire risk of 77.23 is Gilchrist's leading hazard, while hurricane risk of 84.27 remains a secondary concern despite inland location. Flood, tornado, and earthquake risks all fall well below state and national averages.

Focus on wildfire and wind coverage

Gilchrist residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance with emphasis on wind/hurricane protection, though local risk is notably low. Wildfire insurance consideration is worthwhile for properties in or near forested areas, given the 77.23 risk score.

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.