countyscore
44.9
County Score
Water Quality 86Income & Jobs 69.9Property Tax 61.1

County Report Card

About Indian River County, Florida

Indian River matches the national livability median

Indian River County's composite score of 45.0 sits just below the national median of 50.0, reflecting a well-rounded but unexceptional profile. Strengths in water quality and income are offset by severe housing affordability constraints typical of Florida's east coast.

Right at Florida's state average

Indian River County's 45.0 score essentially mirrors Florida's state average of 45.1, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's county rankings. This parity suggests the county offers a representative Florida experience—neither standout nor struggling.

Water, income, and schools shine

Indian River County earns an exceptional water score of 86.0 and boasts strong income metrics with a median household income of $71,049 and income score of 69.0. School quality ranks solidly at 48.0, providing families with serviceable educational options.

Housing costs squeeze the budget

Housing affordability is a major constraint with a cost score of 18.3, median home values of $314,700, and median rent at $1,284/month—among the highest in this group. Environmental risk exposure is minimal (4.4), but housing costs leave little margin for other expenses.

Suits affluent families valuing beaches

Indian River County appeals to higher-income families attracted to coastal living, good schools, and pristine water access who can absorb premium housing costs. The county is less welcoming for middle- or lower-income households unless willing to accept tight financial circumstances.

2040608010061.117.149.955.44869.94.48620.9Tax61.1Cost17.1Safety49.9Health55.4Schools48Income69.9Risk4.4Water86Weather20.944.9/100
This county
National avg
2 above average3 below average

Indian River County DNA

Foverall

How Indian River County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Indian River County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Disaster Risk (4.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
61.1+9.100000000000001
Cost
17.1-30.9
Safety
49.9
Health
55.4
Schools
48
Income
69.9+18.900000000000006
Risk
4.4-42.6
Water
86+28
Weather
20.9-35.1
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$351,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,357/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$351,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$54,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $73,491/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

20.1

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

St. Lucie County
Florida
36.2
Okeechobee County
Florida
31.5
Martin County
Florida
41.5
Highlands County
Florida
47.4
Brevard County
Florida
40.9
Osceola County
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31.8
Glades County
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57
Polk County
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37.2

Deep Dives

Indian River County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Indian River County

via TaxByCounty

Indian River's rate runs below national mean

Indian River County's 0.727% effective tax rate sits about 21% below the national median of 0.92%, positioning it among America's lighter-taxed counties. With a median property tax of $2,288, residents pay 15% less than the national median of $2,690.

Just below Florida's statewide average rate

Indian River County's 0.727% rate sits nearly even with Florida's 0.731% state average, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's 67 counties. Its $2,288 median tax remains $403 below Florida's $1,885 average.

Competitive Space Coast tax profile

Indian River's 0.727% rate aligns closely with Hernando (0.720%) and Highlands (0.728%), the most comparable peers in our sample. It underperforms larger Hillsborough (0.836%) but beats rural counties like Holmes (0.520%) and Jackson (0.549%).

Annual tax on $314.7K median property

An Indian River County homeowner with the county's $314,700 median-valued home pays approximately $2,288 per year in property taxes. With mortgage-related assessments, that total reaches roughly $2,233 annually.

Higher values mean bigger appeal savings

Indian River County's higher median home values mean overassessment errors carry larger dollar impacts. Residents should request a free property valuation review if local real estate sales suggest their assessed value lags behind fair market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Indian River County

via IncomeByCounty

Indian River matches national earnings

Indian River County's median household income of $71,049 sits just $3,706 below the national median of $74,755, placing it squarely in the national middle-to-upper range. The county performs well relative to most American peers.

Indian River outearns Florida average

At $71,049, Indian River County's median household income exceeds Florida's state average of $65,468 by $5,581, ranking it in Florida's upper-income tier. The county punches above the state median despite its smaller size.

Indian River leads regional peers

Indian River County's $71,049 significantly exceeds nearby rural counties like Hendry ($53,044), Highlands ($55,581), and Hernando ($63,193). Only Hillsborough County ($75,011) outpaces Indian River in the region.

Housing requires substantial income

Indian River's rent-to-income ratio of 21.7% is manageable, but the median home value of $314,700 demands household incomes well above the county median. Buyers should plan carefully for mortgage qualification.

Position yourself for long-term gains

Indian River households earning $71,000 have capacity for meaningful retirement contributions and diversified investments. At this income level, strategic tax planning and real estate investment can accelerate wealth accumulation toward six-figure net worth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Indian River County

via CrimeByCounty

Indian River's National Safety Standing

Indian River County enjoys a high safety score of 98.2, driven by a total crime rate of 1129.3 per 100K. This is remarkably lower than the national average of 2,385.5. It stands out as a safe haven when compared to national figures.

Indian River vs the Florida Average

The county's total crime rate of 1129.3 is close to the Florida state average of 1027.9. With a safety score of 98.2, it sits just 0.2 points below the state average of 98.4. Eleven agencies provide the data that keeps this county’s reporting transparent and accurate.

Regional Safety Along the Coast

Indian River is significantly safer than neighboring Hillsborough, which has a crime rate of 1480.9. However, it sees more activity than Jackson County's very low rate of 597.4. It remains a preferred location for those seeking a balance of coastal living and security.

Violent and Property Crime Analysis

Violent crime is impressively low at 123.6 per 100K, far below the national average of 369.8. Property crime is more prevalent at 1005.7 per 100K, yet still roughly half of the national rate of 2,015.7. These stats indicate that personal safety is a major strength of this county.

Securing Your Coastal Home

Since property crime is the primary concern here, investing in smart home security can further lower your risk. Keep exterior areas well-lit and ensure all windows have secondary locks. Being a proactive neighbor helps maintain the county’s strong safety record.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Indian River County

via WeatherByCounty

Consistently warm with a tropical influence

Indian River County averages 74.0°F annually, well above the national median temperature. The Atlantic influence helps keep the environment humid and stable.

Warmer than the typical Florida average

The county is 2.9 degrees warmer than the state average of 71.1°F. It ranks among the warmer coastal regions on Florida's eastern shore.

Fewer extreme heat days than inland peers

While its 74.0°F average is similar to Hillsborough, Indian River only sees 64 days of extreme heat. This is nearly half the extreme heat days experienced in inland Highlands.

Mild summers and very warm winters

Summers average 82.0°F while winters are exceptionally mild at 64.8°F. The county sees zero snowfall and receives a state-average 54.8 inches of rain.

Manage consistent moisture and mild heat

Residents should plan for 54.8 inches of rain with breathable, waterproof gear. The low number of extreme heat days makes this one of the more temperate southern counties.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Indian River County

via SoilByCounty

Coastal Soil Identity

Indian River County soil features a pH of 5.42, making it less acidic than the state average of 4.88. It remains more acidic than the national median of 6.5, which is common for Florida's sandy coastal plains.

Light and Airy Sands

The soil contains 82.4% sand and only 3.7% clay, creating a light texture that is very easy to work with. With only 3.0% silt, the soil provides excellent aeration for plant roots but little natural structure.

Rich Organic Matter Levels

At 9.65%, the organic matter content is well above the Florida state average of 8.03%. This boosts the water capacity to 0.111 in/in, which is higher than the state average and helps plants survive dry spells.

Excellent Coastal Drainage

While specific hydrologic data is not available, the sandy texture ensures that the soil does not stay waterlogged for long. The healthy organic matter levels help balance this drainage by holding moisture where plants need it most.

Tropical Paradise in Zone 10a

Zone 10a allows for a stunning variety of tropical plants, including mangoes and avocados. The high organic matter gives you a head start, so grab some seeds and get planting.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Indian River County

via LawnByCounty

A More Manageable Coastal Climate

Indian River County is a regional standout with a lawn difficulty score of 30.8, much easier than the Florida average of 19.2. While still more difficult than the national median of 50.0, the coastal influence provides a significant advantage for homeowners in zone 10a. Maintaining a green space here is notably simpler than in the state's interior.

Fewer Heat Extremes Near the Coast

Indian River only sees 64 extreme heat days per year, which is far below the Florida average of 92. This milder temperature profile is paired with 54.8 inches of rain, providing nearly perfect hydration for most turf types. With 8,792 growing degree days, the growing season is long but lacks the intense heat stress found elsewhere.

Coastal Sands with Acidic Tendencies

The soil composition is 82.4% sand, which creates a well-draining but nutrient-poor environment. The pH of 5.42 is acidic and will likely need lime applications to reach the preferred 6.0-7.0 range. Despite the sand, the moderate clay content of 3.7% provides a slight benefit in holding some mineral nutrients.

Navigating Severe Coastal Drought Cycles

Although the county averages high rainfall, 100% of the area is currently in severe drought. Over the past year, Indian River has spent 22 weeks in drought conditions, which can be particularly harsh in sandy coastal soils. Utilizing rain barrels and smart irrigation controllers can help maintain a green lawn through these dry periods.

Year-Round Growing in Zone 10a

Warm-season grasses like St. Augustine and Seashore Paspalum thrive in Indian River's coastal 10a environment. The risk of spring frost typically ends by January 24, allowing for an exceptionally early start to the planting season. This early start helps your lawn establish a deep root system before the summer dry months arrive.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Indian River County's county score?
Indian River County, Florida has a composite county score of 44.9 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Indian River County rank among counties in Florida?
Indian River County ranks #35 among all counties in Florida on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Indian River County, Florida?
The median annual property tax in Indian River County is $2,436, with an effective tax rate of 0.69%. This earns Indian River County a tax score of 61.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Indian River County?
The median household income in Indian River County, Florida is $73,491 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Indian River County earns an income score of 69.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Indian River County, Florida a good place to live?
Indian River County scores 44.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #35 in Florida. The best way to evaluate Indian River County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Indian River County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.