CountyScore

Glades County

Florida · FL

#27 in Florida
64.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Glades County, Florida

Glades slightly exceeds national average

Glades County's composite score of 70.6 outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it at approximately the 84th percentile nationally. This 41% advantage over the national baseline indicates above-average livability despite being the weakest performer among this county group.

Glades ranks just above Florida average

At 70.6, Glades County slightly surpasses Florida's state average of 69.4, positioning it in the middle range of Florida's 67 counties. The narrow margin suggests comparable livability to many statewide peers.

Extreme affordability is primary advantage

Glades stands out for exceptional housing affordability with a cost score of 83.6, median home value of only $114,800, and median rent of $927. These among-the-lowest housing costs in the state make Glades highly accessible for budget-limited residents.

Income and taxes present dual concerns

Glades faces significant income challenges with a score of just 8.8 and median household income of $38,905—the lowest in this group. The county also carries a higher tax burden (73.8 tax score, 1.013% effective rate) relative to peer counties, and safety, health, and school data are unavailable.

Best for remote workers seeking lowest costs

Glades County suits remote workers, retirees, and others whose income is independent of local employment, seeking the absolute lowest housing costs. The county's extreme affordability compensates for limited local income opportunities and higher relative tax rates.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.8Cost83.6SafetyComing SoonHealth51SchoolsComing SoonIncome8.8Risk52WaterComing Soon
🏛73.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼8.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤51
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡52
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 Glades County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Columbia County
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64.1
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Stewart County
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Median income: $35,000
Moultrie County
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Median income: $71,676

Deep Dives

Glades County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Glades County

via TaxByCounty

Glades has Florida's highest tax rate

Glades County's effective tax rate of 1.013% is the highest in Florida and significantly above the national median. Despite a low median home value of $114,800, the median property tax of $1,163 reflects the county's heavy reliance on property taxation.

Heaviest tax burden in the state

Glades ranks first—or last, depending on perspective—among Florida counties at 1.013% effective tax rate, 39% higher than the state average of 0.731%. Its median property tax of $1,163 is 62% above the state median of $1,885 when adjusted for home values.

Costs far more than Hardee and Highlands

Glades's 1.013% rate is higher than Hardee County's 1.050%—making it a close competitor for highest—but Glades collects more per capita due to different assessment practices. Compared to surrounding rural counties, Glades significantly overtaxes modest home values.

Median home: $1,163 in annual taxes

A homeowner with a median-valued $114,800 home in Glades County pays approximately $1,163 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, the bill jumps to $1,487; without one, it falls to $1,014.

Appeal now—savings are substantial

Glades County's highest-in-state tax rate makes assessment appeals especially worthwhile for homeowners. If your assessed value exceeds comparable recent sales in your area, a Value Adjustment Board appeal could recoup hundreds annually given the county's steep tax rate.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Glades County

via CostByCounty

Glades struggles with rent burden

Glades County residents spend 28.6% of income on rent—higher than the 28% affordability ceiling and among the nation's most cost-burdened renters. The median household income of $38,905 is the lowest in this survey, amplifying the impact of $927 monthly rent on household finances.

Glades faces affordability crisis

At 28.6%, Glades's rent-to-income ratio towers above Florida's 22.5% state average, signaling acute housing stress in this rural South Florida community. The county's $927 median rent strains residents earning just $38,905 annually, the lowest median income among surveyed counties.

Glades most burdened in region

Glades's 28.6% rent burden substantially exceeds Hardee (21.1%), Gilchrist (16.8%), and Franklin (20%), despite modest absolute rent levels. The burden reflects Glades's exceptionally low median income, which stretches housing costs beyond safe affordability thresholds.

Glades income stretched thin

Renters allocate $927 monthly from a median income of $38,905, consuming 28.6% of earnings and leaving just $2,260 monthly for all other expenses. Homeowners fare slightly better at $531 monthly owner costs (16.4% of income), but with median home values of just $114,800, the county's overall economic capacity is severely constrained.

Glades: understand affordability limits

Glades County's low housing costs mask deeper affordability challenges rooted in limited incomes and economic opportunity. Consider relocating here only if you have remote income or significant savings; the rent-to-income burden leaves little margin for unexpected expenses or economic disruption.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Glades County

via IncomeByCounty

Glades faces steepest income gap in state

Glades County's median household income of $38,905 ranks among Florida's lowest, trailing the national median of $74,755 by roughly $36,000. The county's per capita income of $25,697 is substantially below national averages, indicating severe economic constraints for most households.

Lowest-income county among the group

Glades County's median household income of $38,905 ranks in Florida's very lowest tier, running 40.6% below the state average of $65,468. The per capita income of $25,697 is the lowest among all comparison counties and 28.0% below Florida's state average, signaling significant economic hardship.

Glades struggles economically versus neighbors

Glades's $38,905 median household income is substantially lower than all adjacent counties, including nearby Hardee ($54,231) and Hendry counties. The county's economic isolation in South Florida's agricultural region limits employment diversity and wage growth compared to more developed areas.

Affordability crisis despite low housing costs

Glades's rent-to-income ratio of 28.6% approaches the 30% affordability ceiling, meaning many households struggle with housing payments despite the low median home value of $114,800. For low-income residents, housing remains a significant budget burden relative to available earnings.

Pursue economic mobility strategies

Glades residents should prioritize skills training, remote work opportunities, and relocation to higher-wage regions when possible to build sustainable income. Local economic development and community lending programs can help entrepreneurs create business opportunities and boost household earnings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Glades County

via HealthByCounty

Glades shows longest life span paradox

Glades County reports the highest life expectancy in this group at 80.0 years, exceeding the U.S. average of 76.1 years by nearly four years. Yet this masks deeper challenges: 26.8% of residents report poor or fair health—well above the national average of 17.8%.

A tale of two health metrics

Glades' 80.0-year life expectancy far surpasses Florida's 75.8-year state average, but its 24.8% uninsured rate is the highest among these eight counties—more than 10 points above the state average of 14.4%. This disconnect suggests aggregate health outcomes may not reflect broad-based access to care.

Highest uninsured rate signals access issues

While Glades' life expectancy is the best regionally, its 24.8% uninsured rate stands far above all peers in this group. With mental health provider data but limited primary care information, the county's healthcare landscape appears incomplete.

High uninsured rate reflects real barriers

Nearly one in four Glades residents (24.8%) lack health insurance, the highest proportion in this analysis. Primary care provider data is limited, but 8 mental health providers per 100,000 suggests sparse access to behavioral health services overall.

Insurance enrollment is urgent here

Glades' quarter of residents without coverage face serious barriers to routine and preventive care that could prevent health crises. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to enroll in a health plan—it's among the most important health actions you can take.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Glades County

via RiskByCounty

Glades carries below-average U.S. risk

Glades County's composite risk score of 48.03 falls comfortably below the national average, earning a relatively low risk rating. The county's inland position in South Florida insulates it from extreme coastal hazards.

Well below Florida's state average

Glades's score of 48.03 sits significantly below Florida's 75.74 state average, ranking it among the safer counties in the state. This advantage reflects minimal flood and tornado exposure in the agricultural heartland.

Safer than surrounding South Florida

Glades's 48.03 score beats nearby Hardee County (69.18) and ranks among the safest in the region despite hurricane exposure. The county's inland elevation and distance from major coasts provide natural protection.

Wildfire and hurricane dominate hazards

Wildfire risk of 87.66 is Glades's chief concern, driven by the county's agricultural and forested landscape, while hurricane risk of 87.61 remains significant. Flood and tornado risks of 44.56 and 20.90 are substantially lower than state peers.

Prioritize wildfire and wind insurance

Glades residents should secure homeowners insurance with strong wind coverage for hurricane protection, given the 87.61 risk score. Wildfire insurance is equally important—seek policies covering structure loss from wildfire or negotiate riders with standard insurers.

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.