countyscore
54
County Score
Property Tax 83.7Safety 74.9Cost of Living 69.1

County Report Card

About Jackson County, Florida

Jackson leads this county cohort nationally

Jackson County's composite score of 53.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking it in the upper third of U.S. counties. This performance reflects the county's exceptional safety record and lowest-cost housing environment among these eight Florida counties.

Well above Florida's state average

Jackson County's 53.8 score surpasses Florida's 45.1 state average by 8.7 points, placing it among the state's most livable counties. This advantage makes Jackson one of Florida's better bets for affordable, safe living.

Safety, taxes, and affordability converge

Jackson County delivers the second-lowest effective tax rate at 0.549% (tax score: 80.8) and the lowest median rent at $846/month, with median home values of $113,900. Safety is exceptional with a score of 74.9, creating a genuinely secure, budget-friendly environment.

Income severely limits economic prospects

The income score of 9.9 and median household income of $47,327 are the lowest in this cohort, signaling limited earning potential and career advancement. Health outcomes also lag at 23.8, suggesting potential gaps in medical services or chronic health burden.

Ideal for security-focused, cost-conscious retirees

Jackson County is exceptionally well-suited to retirees and fixed-income households seeking maximum safety, minimal taxes, and rock-bottom living costs. Younger working families may struggle with limited income-earning opportunities in the local economy.

2040608010083.769.174.923.836.110.324.346.625.4Tax83.7Cost69.1Safety74.9Health23.8Schools36.1Income10.3Risk24.3Water46.6Weather25.454/100
This county
National avg
3 above average6 below average

Jackson County DNA

Foverall

How Jackson County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Jackson County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (83.7/100) but notably weak in Income (10.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
83.7+31.700000000000003
Cost
69.1+21.099999999999994
Safety
74.9+19.900000000000006
Health
23.8-26.2
Schools
36.1-17.9
Income
10.3-40.7
Risk
24.3-22.7
Water
46.6-11.399999999999999
Weather
25.4-30.6
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Compare mortgage rates in Jackson County

Whether buying or refinancing in Jackson County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$120,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$865/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$120,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,600/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $49,149/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

23.1

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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Counties with similar scores

DuPage County
Illinois
Median income: $112,096
54
Piatt County
Illinois
Median income: $94,811
54
Jasper County
Iowa
Median income: $71,311
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Franklin County
Maine
Median income: $58,675
54
Houghton County
Michigan
Median income: $58,899
54
Ste. Genevieve County
Missouri
Median income: $66,339
54
Hidalgo County
New Mexico
Median income: $48,882
54
Graham County
North Carolina
Median income: $49,684
54

Nearby counties

Seminole County
Georgia
44.4
Houston County
Alabama
54.2
Calhoun County
Florida
61.3
Washington County
Florida
55.2
Decatur County
Georgia
31.3
Holmes County
Florida
50.6
Gadsden County
Florida
51
Miller County
Georgia
51.5

Deep Dives

Jackson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jackson County

via TaxByCounty

Jackson County taxes rank among nation's lowest

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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jackson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jackson trails far behind US average

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Jackson County

via CrimeByCounty

Jackson County: One of the Nation's Safest

Jackson County boasts an elite safety score of 99.1, with a total crime rate of only 597.4 per 100K. This is a fraction of the national crime rate of 2,385.5. It is objectively one of the safest rural counties in the United States.

Leading the State in Safety

The county's total crime rate of 597.4 is significantly lower than the Florida state average of 1027.9. Its safety score of 99.1 also surpasses the state average of 98.4. Twelve different agencies report these impressive figures, ensuring high data reliability.

Jackson Outperforms Its Neighbors

Compared to nearby Holmes County, which has a crime rate of 1167.5, Jackson is twice as safe. It also holds a much lower rate than Hendry County's 1220.5. Jackson County sets the regional benchmark for public safety and low crime.

Deep Dive into Local Crime Stats

Violent crime is very low at 174.0 per 100K, which is less than half the national average. Property crime is also minimal at 423.4, compared to the national average of 2,015.7. Crime here is rare, and physical safety is a defining feature of the community.

Keeping Jackson County Secure

Even with low crime rates, basic precautions like locking vehicles and homes are always recommended. Consider joining a local neighborhood watch to help maintain these excellent safety numbers. Your vigilance helps keep Jackson County a leader in Florida safety.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Jackson County

via WeatherByCounty

A mild climate with southern warmth

Jackson County averages 68.3°F annually, staying roughly 15 degrees above the national median. It experiences a mix of humid subtropical heat and mild continental winters.

One of Florida's cooler northern counties

At 68.3°F, Jackson is 2.8 degrees cooler than the Florida state average. Its position on the Alabama border keeps it away from the peninsula's constant heat.

Slightly warmer than its western neighbors

Jackson is warmer than Holmes County (66.9°F) and Jefferson County (67.3°F). It receives 51.1 inches of annual rain, which is slightly below the state average.

Distinctive winters and hot, triple-digit summers

The county endures 100 days of extreme heat each year despite its northern location. Winter averages are a cool 53.7°F with no recorded snowfall.

Dual-purpose climate control is essential

HVAC systems must handle 51.8°F January nights and 100 days of extreme heat. Outdoor planning should account for 51.1 inches of annual rainfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Jackson County

via SoilByCounty

Jackson's Balanced Panhandle pH

The average pH here is 5.19, which is slightly higher than the state average of 4.88 but still more acidic than the national 6.5 median. This makes the soil suitable for many southern crops that tolerate mild acidity.

A More Complex Soil Mix

Jackson County soil contains 76.6% sand, 11.2% silt, and 9.2% clay. This higher concentration of silt and clay compared to other Florida counties provides much better nutrient retention and soil structure.

Lower Organic Nutrient Base

Organic matter is relatively low at 2.49%, falling far short of the state average of 8.03%. The available water capacity is 0.095 in/in, which is slightly below the state's 0.108 in/in average.

Structured but Free-Draining

While drainage class data is missing, the increased silt and clay content helps slow water movement compared to pure sand. This provides a more stable environment for farming, though supplemental water is still necessary during dry periods.

Fruit and Nut Success in 9a

Hardiness Zone 9a is famous for pecans and peaches that enjoy the Panhandle climate. Add some compost to boost the low organic matter and your garden will flourish in no time.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Jackson County

via LawnByCounty

Managing North Florida's Unique Lawn Needs

Jackson County offers a lawn difficulty score of 23.2, which is more favorable than the Florida average of 19.2. As a zone 9a region, it experiences more seasonal variation than southern Florida but still falls below the national median of 50.0. Success here depends on balancing slightly better soil with the Panhandle's heat cycles.

Moderate Growth with 100 Heat Days

Jackson County sees 100 extreme heat days, which is slightly above the state average. The county receives 51.1 inches of rain annually, which is slightly less than the Florida average of 54.7. With 6,933 growing degree days, you have a solid growing window but will need to supplement water during the hottest months.

High Sand and Moderate Clay Balance

With 76.6% sand and a higher-than-average 9.2% clay content, Jackson's soil holds moisture better than many other Florida counties. However, the pH is still acidic at 5.19, well below the ideal range of 6.0 to 7.0. Liming remains a critical step to ensure your grass can actually absorb the nutrients in the soil.

Persistent Severe Drought Across Jackson

The entire county is currently experiencing severe drought, having faced 28 weeks of drought over the past year. This persistent dryness makes efficient water use a priority for every homeowner. Implementing xeriscaping elements or drought-tolerant turf can help reduce the water burden during these intense dry stretches.

The Best Window for Panhandle Lawns

Centipede grass is a standout performer in Jackson County's zone 9a, as it handles the soil and heat well. Since the last spring frost typically occurs around March 1, plan to seed or sod in early to mid-spring. This timing allows the grass to mature before the 100-day stretch of 90-degree heat begins.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jackson County's county score?
Jackson County, Florida has a composite county score of 54 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 Jackson County rank among counties in Florida?
Jackson County ranks #14 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 Jackson County, Florida?
The median annual property tax in Jackson County is $609, with an effective tax rate of 0.50%. This earns Jackson County a tax score of 83.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Jackson County?
The median household income in Jackson County, Florida is $49,149 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Jackson County earns an income score of 10.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Jackson County, Florida a good place to live?
Jackson County scores 54/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #14 in Florida. The best way to evaluate Jackson 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 Jackson 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.