Jackson County achieves a composite score of 76.7, substantially exceeding the national median of 50.0. The county places among the top tier of all U.S. counties for measured livability factors.
2 / 5
Second-Highest in Florida Comparison
With a score of 76.7, Jackson County significantly outperforms Florida's state average of 69.4 and ranks among the state's strongest counties. The county demonstrates exceptional livability across multiple dimensions.
3 / 5
Unbeatable Affordability and Low Taxes
Jackson County leads with a tax score of 86.8 and an effective tax rate of 0.549%, and pairs this with a cost score of 84.7. Median home values of $113,900 and rents of just $846 monthly make it one of Florida's most affordable counties.
4 / 5
Limited Income and Economic Diversity
Jackson's income score of 14.3 reflects a median household income of only $47,327, the lowest in this group. Safety, health, school, and environmental data are not available, and the rural economy may offer limited opportunities for income growth.
5 / 5
Perfect for Cost-Conscious Retirees
Jackson County is exceptional for retirees and remote workers seeking maximum affordability with minimal tax burden. The county delivers Florida's best value proposition for those prioritizing housing cost and tax efficiency over wage potential.
Jackson County achieves a composite score of 76.7, substantially exceeding the national median of 50.0. The county places among the top tier of all U.S. counties for measured livability factors.
Second-Highest in Florida Comparison
With a score of 76.7, Jackson County significantly outperforms Florida's state average of 69.4 and ranks among the state's strongest counties. The county demonstrates exceptional livability across multiple dimensions.
Unbeatable Affordability and Low Taxes
Jackson County leads with a tax score of 86.8 and an effective tax rate of 0.549%, and pairs this with a cost score of 84.7. Median home values of $113,900 and rents of just $846 monthly make it one of Florida's most affordable counties.
Limited Income and Economic Diversity
Jackson's income score of 14.3 reflects a median household income of only $47,327, the lowest in this group. Safety, health, school, and environmental data are not available, and the rural economy may offer limited opportunities for income growth.
Perfect for Cost-Conscious Retirees
Jackson County is exceptional for retirees and remote workers seeking maximum affordability with minimal tax burden. The county delivers Florida's best value proposition for those prioritizing housing cost and tax efficiency over wage potential.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛86.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Jackson County's 0.549% effective tax rate runs 40% below the national median of 0.92%, landing it among the most affordable property-tax counties in America. The median annual property tax of $625 represents just 23% of the national median of $2,690.
Second-lowest rate across Florida's counties
Jackson County's 0.549% rate trails only Holmes County (0.520%) in Florida, running 25% below the state average of 0.731%. Its $625 median property tax is the second-smallest in our eight-county sample.
Only Holmes beats Jackson on affordability
Jackson's 0.549% rate runs slightly higher than Holmes (0.520%) but remains dramatically lower than all others in this regional sample, from Hendry (0.801%) to Hillsborough (0.836%).
Annual tax on typical $113.9K home
A Jackson County homeowner with the median-valued property of $113,900 pays only about $625 per year in property taxes. With mortgage-related assessments, the annual bill reaches approximately $824.
Low taxes don't mean skip your appeal
Jackson County's exceptionally low tax rate makes every dollar count; even a small overassessment represents a larger percentage of your annual bill. Request a free valuation review to ensure your property's assessed value reflects its true market worth.
Jackson County residents spend 21.4% of income on rent, beating Florida's 22.5% average despite the county's lowest median household income of $47,327. The median rent of $846 combines with lower earnings to create genuine affordability, though household finances remain tight.
Affordable panhandle alternative
Jackson County ranks among Florida's most affordable markets with a 21.4% rent-to-income ratio and median rent of $846—31% below the state median of $1,233. For renters, the county offers rare combination of low costs and manageable rent-to-income ratios.
Competitive pricing in rural Florida
Jackson's $846 rent rivals Holmes County ($823) and beats most other rural peers, positioning it as a genuine budget option. The median home value of $113,900 sits between Holmes ($101,400) and Highlands ($177,900), offering affordable ownership without sacrificing home quality.
Ownership significantly cheaper than renting
Renters pay $846 monthly (21.4% of income) while homeowners spend just $558—a $288 monthly advantage for buyers. With median household income of only $47,327, the $288 monthly savings from ownership makes a substantial difference for household budgeting and financial security.
Jackson County targets budget-conscious seekers
If you're relocating to Florida with limited means, Jackson delivers: $846 rents and homes under $114K with $558 monthly payments. The county's 21.4% rent-to-income ratio rivals the state's best, and buying a home costs roughly $300 less monthly than renting—a meaningful advantage for working families.
Jackson County's median household income of $47,327 falls $27,428 below the national median of $74,755, ranking it among America's lowest-income counties. The 37% gap reflects decades of rural economic challenges in North Florida.
Jackson among Florida's poorest
At $47,327, Jackson County's median household income runs nearly $18,200 below Florida's state average of $65,468. The county ranks in the very bottom tier of Florida's income distribution.
Jackson parallels Holmes County poverty
Jackson County's $47,327 nearly matches Holmes County's $48,236, both struggling with rural agricultural decline. Together they represent Florida's most economically distressed Panhandle region.
Housing remains affordable refuge
Jackson County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.4% and median home value of $113,900 provide significant housing affordability. For a $47,000-income household, local housing costs represent the county's primary economic advantage.
Wealth building starts with basics
Jackson County households at $47,300 income can build financial security through employer retirement plans and emergency savings, regardless of modest means. Small, consistent wealth-building habits compound into meaningful long-term progress.
Jackson County life expectancy significantly below average
At 71.9 years, Jackson County residents live 7.4 years less than the U.S. average of 79.3 years. With 23.9% reporting poor or fair health—well above the national average of 18%—the county faces substantial chronic disease and health inequality challenges.
Among Florida's lowest life expectancy counties
Jackson County's 71.9-year life expectancy trails Florida's 75.8-year average by 3.9 years, ranking near the bottom statewide. Although its 11.5% uninsured rate sits below the state average of 14.4%, coverage alone doesn't address the deeper health disparities evident in the data.
Provider shortage limits care options
With only 32 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Jackson County ranks among Florida's most provider-scarce counties. The 158 mental health providers per 100K suggests some behavioral health investment, but overall medical infrastructure remains inadequate for the population's health needs.
Limited primary care despite lower uninsured rate
Jackson County's relatively low 11.5% uninsured rate masks a deeper problem: only 32 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents means coverage often doesn't translate to accessible care. Residents may hold insurance but find no nearby providers, forcing delays in preventive care and treatment.
Insurance plus navigation is essential
Having coverage matters, but in Jackson County, you'll also need help finding and reaching available providers. Contact your local health department or call 1-800-985-2550 to locate federally qualified health centers and understand transportation assistance programs that connect you to care.
Jackson County's composite risk score of 75.70 places it in the Relatively Low category, just below the typical U.S. county profile. This score reflects a rural Panhandle community with moderate natural hazard exposure relative to national norms.
Below-average risk within Florida
At 75.70, Jackson County ranks nearly even with Florida's state average of 75.74, placing it in the middle of the state's risk distribution. The county faces typical Florida hazards without the compounded exposure of coastal or tornado-prone regions.
Safer than Gadsden, riskier than Holmes
Jackson County's 75.70 places it as a moderate-risk Panhandle community, safer than some western neighbors but riskier than inland Holmes County (49.43). Its inland position provides advantages over Gulf Coast counties while still maintaining exposure to regional storm systems.
Hurricanes lead, multiple hazards significant
Hurricane risk (94.33) clearly dominates Jackson County's profile as the primary natural hazard, while tornado risk (59.45) and flood risk (60.94) present moderate secondary threats. Earthquake risk (51.40) is unusually elevated for a Florida county, reflecting the Panhandle's seismic positioning.
Prioritize wind coverage and flood insurance
Jackson County's hurricane risk (94.33) requires comprehensive wind insurance and proper roof maintenance to withstand severe storms. A separate flood policy is advisable given your 60.94 flood risk score, ensuring you're protected if heavy rains overwhelm local drainage systems.