Hendry County scores 71.6 on the CountyScore composite index, well above the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the upper half of all U.S. counties, reflecting stronger-than-average livability across measured dimensions.
2 / 5
Slightly Above Florida Average
With a score of 71.6, Hendry County ranks slightly above Florida's state average of 69.4. Among Florida's 67 counties, Hendry performs solidly in the middle tier on overall livability.
3 / 5
Tax and Housing Affordability Win
Hendry County excels in tax efficiency with a score of 79.7 and an effective tax rate of just 0.801%. Its housing affordability is equally strong at 78.9, with median home values of $189,700 and median rents of $958 per month—among the lowest in the state.
4 / 5
Income Levels Trail State Average
Hendry's income score of 18.0 reflects a median household income of $53,044, notably below state and national benchmarks. Additional data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors is not yet available, limiting a fuller picture of livability.
5 / 5
Ideal for Budget-Conscious Retirees
Hendry County suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high wages. The county offers solid value for those seeking a rural Florida lifestyle without premium price tags or complex tax burdens.
Hendry County scores 71.6 on the CountyScore composite index, well above the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the upper half of all U.S. counties, reflecting stronger-than-average livability across measured dimensions.
Slightly Above Florida Average
With a score of 71.6, Hendry County ranks slightly above Florida's state average of 69.4. Among Florida's 67 counties, Hendry performs solidly in the middle tier on overall livability.
Tax and Housing Affordability Win
Hendry County excels in tax efficiency with a score of 79.7 and an effective tax rate of just 0.801%. Its housing affordability is equally strong at 78.9, with median home values of $189,700 and median rents of $958 per month—among the lowest in the state.
Income Levels Trail State Average
Hendry's income score of 18.0 reflects a median household income of $53,044, notably below state and national benchmarks. Additional data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors is not yet available, limiting a fuller picture of livability.
Ideal for Budget-Conscious Retirees
Hendry County suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high wages. The county offers solid value for those seeking a rural Florida lifestyle without premium price tags or complex tax burdens.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛79.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.801%, Hendry County's effective property tax rate sits well below the national median of 0.92%, putting it in the bottom 40% of U.S. counties by tax burden. Homeowners here pay a median of $1,519 annually—just 56% of the national median of $2,690—on homes worth roughly $189,700.
Slightly above Florida's average rate
Hendry County's 0.801% rate edges above Florida's statewide average of 0.731%, ranking it in the middle tier of the state's 67 counties. The county's median property tax of $1,519 falls $366 short of Florida's state average of $1,885.
Higher taxes than most rural neighbors
Hendry sits in Southwest Florida among smaller, rural counties with mixed tax profiles. Its 0.801% rate exceeds Holmes County (0.520%) and Jackson County (0.549%), but trails Highlands County (0.728%) and Hernando County (0.720%).
Median annual tax on typical home
A Hendry County homeowner with a median-valued property at $189,700 pays roughly $1,519 per year in property taxes. Add mortgage-related assessments, and that figure rises to about $1,905 annually.
Many Hendry homeowners can appeal
Studies consistently show 15-20% of properties are overassessed relative to market value. If your home's appraised value seems high, you have the right to file a formal appeal with the county property appraiser—often at no cost.
Hendry County residents spend 21.7% of income on rent, well below the national average and nearly a percentage point better than Florida's state median of 22.5%. With a median household income of $53,044—roughly 29% below the national average of $74,755—Hendry achieves relative affordability through lower rents averaging just $958 per month.
Among Florida's most affordable counties
Hendry ranks favorably within Florida for housing affordability, with rent-to-income ratios better than the state average. The county's median rent of $958 trails Florida's state median of $1,233 by nearly $275 monthly, making it an accessible option for renters statewide.
Cheaper than surrounding rural counties
Hendry's $958 monthly rent undercuts neighboring Highlands County ($980) and significantly beats Hillsborough County ($1,543). For homebuyers, Hendry's median home value of $189,700 is roughly $50,000 less than Indian River County ($314,700) while maintaining similar monthly ownership costs around $800.
Rent or own, both are reasonable
Renters in Hendry spend an average $958 monthly (21.7% of income), while homeowners pay $797 monthly for mortgages and ownership costs. Combined with the modest median household income of $53,044, both housing pathways remain within reasonable affordability ranges compared to state and national standards.
Hendry offers rural Florida affordability
If you're relocating from higher-cost Florida metros, Hendry delivers significant savings: rents roughly 22% below state average and homes under $190K. The county's rent-to-income ratio of 21.7% means you'll keep more of your paycheck compared to pricier coastal alternatives.
Hendry County's median household income of $53,044 falls about $21,700 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower income tier nationwide. This 29% gap reflects economic patterns common to rural agricultural counties across America.
Below-average earnings in Florida
At $53,044, Hendry's median household income sits about $12,400 below Florida's state average of $65,468. The county ranks in the lower third of Florida's 67 counties for household earnings.
Hendry's income mirrors rural peers
Hendry County's $53,044 median is closest to neighboring Highlands County ($55,581) and Jackson County ($47,327), reflecting similar agricultural and small-town economies. The wealthier Hillsborough County ($75,011) shows what more urbanized areas earn in the state.
Housing remains affordable here
With a rent-to-income ratio of 21.7%, Hendry County keeps housing costs manageable—well within the 30% benchmark for affordability. The median home value of $189,700 is achievable for households earning the county median.
Build financial resilience today
Hendry households earning $53,000 can strengthen their future through employer retirement plans and emergency savings. Even modest contributions compound significantly over time, reducing reliance on housing debt and creating pathways to build generational wealth.
At 74.9 years, Hendry County residents live about 5 years less than the U.S. average of 79.3 years. Nearly 28% of residents report poor or fair health, well above the national rate of 18%, signaling persistent health challenges across the county.
Below Florida's health averages
Hendry County's 74.9-year life expectancy falls short of Florida's 75.8-year average. The county also exceeds the state's uninsured rate by 10 percentage points—24.3% versus 14.4% statewide—a critical barrier to regular healthcare.
Rural access challenges stand out
Hendry's 27 primary care providers per 100,000 residents ranks lowest among nearby counties like Highlands (58 per 100K) and Collier County peers. This scarcity of primary care forces many residents to travel for routine services or delay preventive health visits.
High uninsured rate limits care access
More than 1 in 4 Hendry County residents lack health insurance, meaning routine checkups, prescriptions, and emergency care come at full cost. With only 27 primary care doctors per 100,000 people, the uninsured population faces compounded barriers to finding and affording care.
Check your coverage options today
If you're among the uninsured in Hendry County, healthcare options exist—from Medicaid expansion to marketplace plans. Visit Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-985-2550 to explore affordable coverage that fits your family's needs and connects you to local providers.
Hendry County's composite risk score of 78.66 places it in the Relatively Low category, just above the typical U.S. county profile. This score reflects a county where natural hazard exposure is present but manageable compared to the nation's highest-risk communities.
Mid-range risk among Florida counties
At 78.66, Hendry County ranks in the middle band of Florida's 67 counties, scoring slightly above the state average of 75.74. This positions Hendry as a moderate concern within Florida's higher-risk coastal and storm-prone landscape.
Lower risk than nearby Collier, higher than Jackson
Hendry County's 78.66 score sits between Jackson County (75.70) to the north and comparably risky peers. The county faces notably lower overall risk than coastal neighbors like Collier County, reflecting its more inland position and reduced hurricane surge exposure.
Hurricane and wildfire dominate your risk
Hurricanes (94.24) and wildfires (93.29) are Hendry's primary threats, both scoring in the high 90s and significantly outpacing tornado risk (37.60). These two hazards should anchor your emergency preparedness plan and home hardening decisions.
Prioritize wind and fire insurance now
With hurricane and wildfire risks both exceeding 93, ensure your homeowner's policy includes robust wind coverage and consider a separate wildfire policy if available. Verify flood coverage separately, as standard policies exclude it—particularly important in Hendry's flood-prone areas where risk scores reach 64.34.