CountyScore

Indian River County

Florida · FL

#33 in Florida
63.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Indian River County, Florida

Indian River Exceeds National Median

Indian River County achieves a composite score of 68.5, well above the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates solid livability across measured dimensions compared to typical U.S. counties.

Just Below Florida State Average

Indian River County's score of 68.5 falls slightly short of Florida's state average of 69.4, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 67 counties. Performance remains respectable across available livability measures.

Strong Incomes and Tax Efficiency

Indian River posts an income score of 29.8 with a median household income of $71,049, among the higher earnings in this group. The tax score of 81.8 and effective rate of 0.727% also ensure strong tax efficiency for residents.

Housing Costs Erode Income Advantage

Despite strong incomes, Indian River's cost score of 68.2 reveals housing pressures: median home values reach $314,700 and rents average $1,284 monthly. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors prevents fuller livability assessment.

Suits Professional Families with Resources

Indian River County appeals to professional families with six-figure combined incomes willing to invest in premium coastal Florida living. The county offers strong tax advantages alongside higher housing costs in an established, affluent coastal setting.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.8Cost68.2SafetyComing SoonHealth68.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.8Risk4.4WaterComing Soon
🏛81.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠68.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡4.4
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 Indian River County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Weld County
Colorado
63.1
Median income: $93,287
Newton County
Georgia
63.1
Median income: $73,732
Clinton County
Illinois
63.1
Median income: $82,314
Scott County
Kansas
63.1
Median income: $67,788
Hardin County
Texas
63.1
Median income: $72,532

Deep Dives

Indian River County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Indian River County

via CostByCounty

Indian River balances growth and value

Indian River County residents dedicate 21.7% of income to rent, beating Florida's 22.5% state average despite significantly higher incomes than most counties. With a median household income of $71,049 and median rent of $1,284, the county achieves respectable affordability through solid earning power.

Strong affordability for a coastal county

Indian River's 21.7% rent-to-income ratio places it comfortably above Florida's average, remarkable for a county with growing coastal appeal. The median rent of $1,284 exceeds the state median by just $51, suggesting Indian River hasn't experienced the extreme price pressures of Miami or Tampa Bay.

Premium pricing, but still reasonable

Indian River's $1,284 monthly rent sits between Hernando County ($1,209) and Hillsborough County ($1,543), reflecting its coastal location premium. Home values of $314,700 are among the region's highest but substantially less than what comparable coastal markets command, offering growth potential with restraint.

Ownership offers slight cost advantage

Renters in Indian River pay $1,284 monthly (21.7% of income) while homeowners dedicate $1,095 to mortgages and costs—a $189 monthly difference. The county's median income of $71,049 provides cushion for both pathways, making it one of the more balanced markets among these eight counties.

Indian River blends coast and affordability

Relocating to Indian River offers coastal Florida living without the extreme costs of Miami or Fort Lauderdale, with rents and homes roughly matching state averages. The 21.7% rent-to-income ratio and above-average median income of $71,049 create genuine affordability for those seeking beach-area access and lifestyle.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Indian River County

via HealthByCounty

Indian River County leads nation on longevity

At 78.3 years, Indian River County residents live just 1 year less than the U.S. average of 79.3 years—among the best in the country. Only 17.1% report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 18%, reflecting sustained community wellness.

Exceeds Florida on health outcomes

Indian River County's 78.3-year life expectancy surpasses Florida's 75.8-year average by 2.5 years, ranking in Florida's top tier. The county's 14.0% uninsured rate essentially matches the state average of 14.4%, ensuring healthcare access for most residents.

Strong provider network supports longevity

Indian River County maintains 63 primary care providers and 171 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—above-average capacity that enables accessible care. This resource density supports preventive services and specialist referrals that contribute to the county's exceptional life expectancy.

Healthcare access enables preventive wellness

With 63 primary care providers per 100,000 and a 14.0% uninsured rate, most Indian River County residents access regular checkups and early disease screening. The 171 mental health providers per 100K also support integrated care addressing physical and behavioral health together.

Keep your coverage strong

Indian River County's health success depends partly on consistent insurance coverage—14% of residents still lack it. Renew coverage annually through Healthcare.gov, your employer, or your doctor's office to maintain access to the county's excellent preventive care and specialist providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Indian River County

via RiskByCounty

Indian River faces very high national risks

Indian River County's composite risk score of 95.64 ranks it in the Relatively High category, placing it among the riskiest counties in the United States. This score reflects a Space Coast community heavily exposed to hurricanes and multiple compounding natural hazards.

Top tier of Florida's most exposed

At 95.64, Indian River County significantly exceeds Florida's state average of 75.74 and ranks among the state's highest-risk communities. The county's Atlantic coastal position exposes it to the full force of Atlantic hurricanes and storm surge.

Riskier than Brevard, comparable to St. Lucie

Indian River County's 95.64 places it among the most exposed in the Space Coast region, with notably higher risk than western Osceola County. The score aligns with other Atlantic-facing counties like St. Lucie that face similar hurricane and surge vulnerabilities.

Hurricanes dominate, tornadoes add risk

Hurricane risk (99.17) is extreme and represents Indian River County's overwhelming primary threat, while tornado risk (72.46) and flood risk (85.88) add significant secondary exposure. Wildfire risk (88.20) completes a multi-dimensional hazard environment requiring comprehensive protection.

Maximize wind and flood insurance now

Indian River County's exceptional hurricane risk (99.17) demands maximum available wind coverage and storm surge preparation—consider impact windows and roof reinforcement. Add mandatory flood insurance given your 85.88 flood risk score, and document all valuable contents for tornado and wind damage claims.

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.