countyscore
54.9
County Score
Water Quality 86Property Tax 69.7Safety 62.8

County Report Card

About Jefferson County, Florida

Jefferson tops this county cohort nationally

Jefferson County's composite score of 57.0 is the highest among these eight Florida counties and well above the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates exceptional balance, ranking in the top third nationally on overall livability.

Best in this group against state average

Jefferson County's 57.0 score substantially exceeds Florida's 45.1 state average by 11.9 points, marking it as one of Florida's most livable counties. This significant advantage positions Jefferson as a top-tier option within the state.

Affordability, schools, and safety lead way

Jefferson County combines strong housing affordability (cost score: 70.2, median home value $198,800, rent $790/month) with solid school rankings (49.9) and good safety (62.8). Water quality is exceptional at 86.0, rivaling the state's best coastal offerings.

Income and health trail the strengths

Income scores only 30.3 with a median household income of $56,984, suggesting modest earning potential relative to state norms. Health outcomes rank at 36.8, indicating room for improvement in healthcare access or population wellness metrics.

Excellent for families prioritizing value

Jefferson County suits working families and retirees seeking the optimal combination of affordable housing, quality schools, water access, and safety—without excessive income demands. It represents genuine livability value and ranks as the most balanced option in this eight-county comparison.

2040608010069.754.962.836.849.937.5618632.9Tax69.7Cost54.9Safety62.8Health36.8Schools49.9Income37.5Risk61Water86Weather32.954.9/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

Jefferson County DNA

Foverall

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

Jefferson County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Weather & Climate (32.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
69.7+17.700000000000003
Cost
54.9
Safety
62.8
Health
36.8-13.200000000000003
Schools
49.9
Income
37.5-13.5
Risk
61+14
Water
86+28
Weather
32.9-23.1
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Whether buying or refinancing in Jefferson County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$232,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$898/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$232,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$35,920/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $61,212/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

20.4

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

Adams County
Illinois
Median income: $66,220
54.9
Christian County
Illinois
Median income: $62,611
54.9
Fulton County
Illinois
Median income: $60,599
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Logan County
Kentucky
Median income: $60,382
54.9
Lincoln County
Maine
Median income: $76,875
54.9
Pike County
Missouri
Median income: $54,989
54.9
Fergus County
Montana
Median income: $63,706
54.9
De Baca County
New Mexico
54.9

Nearby counties

Leon County
Florida
34.4
Madison County
Florida
49.6
Wakulla County
Florida
55.9
Thomas County
Georgia
33.3
Taylor County
Florida
52.7
Grady County
Georgia
45.8
Brooks County
Georgia
40
Lowndes County
Georgia
31.8

Deep Dives

Jefferson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jefferson County

via TaxByCounty

Jefferson's rate runs modestly below U.S. median

Jefferson County's 0.678% effective tax rate sits about 26% below the national median of 0.92%, positioning it among America's lower-taxed counties. At $1,348 median annual property tax, residents pay half the national median of $2,690.

Below Florida's average, mid-state ranking

Jefferson County's 0.678% rate runs 7% below Florida's statewide average of 0.731%, placing it in the lower-tax half of the state's 67 counties. The $1,348 median property tax falls $537 below Florida's average.

Lower-taxed than most regional peers

Jefferson's 0.678% rate outperforms Hendry (0.801%), Hernando (0.720%), Highlands (0.728%), and Hillsborough (0.836%), but trails the ultra-low rates of Holmes (0.520%) and Jackson (0.549%).

Annual tax on $198.8K median home value

A Jefferson County homeowner with the median-valued property of $198,800 pays roughly $1,348 per year in property taxes. Mortgage-related assessments bring the total to approximately $1,437 annually.

Even rural counties see overassessments

Jefferson County's lower property values and smaller tax bills don't protect against overvaluation; assessment errors happen everywhere. A free property appraisal review can confirm your home's listed value matches recent sales in your area.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jefferson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jefferson moderately below US standard

Jefferson County's median household income of $56,984 trails the national median of $74,755 by $17,771, placing it in the lower-middle tier nationally. The county reflects income patterns of smaller agricultural and rural regions.

Jefferson below Florida average

At $56,984, Jefferson County's median household income runs approximately $8,484 below Florida's state average of $65,468. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier of Florida's income distribution.

Jefferson outperforms poorest peers

Jefferson County's $56,984 exceeds Holmes ($48,236) and Jackson ($47,327), but trails more populous Highlands ($55,581) and Hernando ($63,193). The county sits in the middle range of rural Florida economies.

Excellent housing affordability

Jefferson County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% is the lowest among these eight counties, providing exceptional housing affordability. With a median home value of $198,800, housing costs remain highly manageable for local incomes.

Build on housing cost advantage

Jefferson County households earning $57,000 save significant housing expenses compared to state and national peers, freeing dollars for retirement and investment accounts. Redirect housing savings into systematic wealth building for accelerated financial growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Jefferson County

via CrimeByCounty

Jefferson County Safety Overview

Jefferson County features a total crime rate of 857.6 per 100K, which is well below the national average of 2,385.5. This earns the county a strong safety score of 98.6. It remains a peaceful community with low overall incident reports.

Jefferson Outperforms Florida Averages

The county's safety score of 98.6 is higher than the Florida state average of 98.4. Its total crime rate of 857.6 is also lower than the state's 1027.9 average. Data from 8 reporting agencies confirms its status as one of Florida's safer jurisdictions.

Comparing Jefferson to the Region

Jefferson is safer than nearby Holmes County, which reports a 1167.5 crime rate. While it has more activity than Jackson County's 597.4, it remains a very secure part of the Panhandle region. Residents here experience fewer crimes than most of their fellow Floridians.

Violent and Property Crime Analysis

The violent crime rate is 304.3 per 100K, remaining under the national average of 369.8. Property crime is notably low at 553.3, which is significantly better than the national average of 2,015.7. This indicates that property theft is quite rare in Jefferson County.

Simple Steps for a Safe Home

Maintaining low crime rates requires consistent home security habits. Use motion lights and secure your property to deter the small amount of theft that does occur. Being an active participant in your community's safety keeps Jefferson County secure for everyone.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Jefferson County

via WeatherByCounty

Temperate weather with heavy annual rainfall

Jefferson County's 67.3°F annual average is warm nationally but moderate for Florida. It is characterized by high precipitation and a lack of winter snow.

Cooler and wetter than state averages

The county is 3.8 degrees cooler than the Florida average of 71.1°F. However, its 59.2 inches of rain significantly exceeds the state average of 54.8 inches.

The rainiest of its regional peers

Jefferson is cooler and wetter than Lafayette (69.2°F and 55.6 inches). It also experiences fewer extreme heat days than nearby Jackson County.

Moderate heat and very wet summers

Summers average 80.3°F with 78 days of extreme heat, which is low for Florida. Winters are crisp, averaging 53.6°F with zero inches of snow.

Invest in drainage and rain gear

With 59.2 inches of rain, excellent property drainage and high-quality rain gear are vital. Heating is also necessary for the 51.9°F January lows.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Jefferson County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Profiles in Jefferson

The soil pH in Jefferson County averages 4.96, aligning very closely with the Florida average of 4.88. This is significantly more acidic than the national median of 6.5, which defines the local floral palette.

High Sand and Low Cohesion

This soil consists of 83.5% sand and a modest 5.5% clay, making it very porous. With 6.8% silt, it has slightly more body than pure beach sand but still requires careful nutrient management.

Modest Organic Matter Content

Organic matter levels reach 4.10%, which is about half of the state average of 8.03%. Consequently, the available water capacity is 0.088 in/in, indicating a soil that may require frequent irrigation.

Fast-Moving Water Pathways

Specific hydrologic data is limited, but the sandy composition ensures that water drains away quickly from the surface. This prevents swampy conditions but also means that water-soluble nutrients can wash away during heavy rain.

Bountiful Gardens in Zone 9a

Zone 9a supports a wide range of hardy vegetables and beautiful flowering shrubs like camellias. By enriching your soil with organic compost, you can overcome the low water capacity and start a productive garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Jefferson County

via LawnByCounty

Balancing High Rain and High Difficulty

Jefferson County faces a difficulty score of 17.9, placing it slightly below the state average and well below the national median. This zone 9a county requires attentive care despite having more rainfall than much of Florida. Homeowners must work hard to overcome acidic soil and significant drought periods.

Extra Rainfall and Moderate Heat

Jefferson receives an impressive 59.2 inches of annual precipitation, which is well above the state average of 54.7. While it only has 78 extreme heat days compared to the state's 92, the 6,593 growing degree days keep maintenance active. The extra rain can be a blessing, but it also increases the risk of nutrient leaching in sandy soils.

Combatting Intense Soil Acidity

The soil in Jefferson is quite acidic with a pH of 4.96, which is far from the 6.0-7.0 ideal range. Composed of 83.5% sand and only 5.5% clay, the ground struggles to hold onto the county's high rainfall. Frequent soil testing and lime applications are necessary to prevent nutrient deficiencies in your turf.

Severe Drought Challenges Despite High Rain

Despite having high annual rainfall, 100% of the county is currently in a severe drought stage. Jefferson has faced 28 weeks of drought over the last year, making irrigation systems essential for survival. To protect your lawn, avoid over-fertilizing during these dry weeks, as it can cause chemical burn when water is scarce.

Spring Timing for North Florida Success

Zoysia and Centipede grasses are resilient choices for the 9a climate in Jefferson County. With the last spring frost typically landing on March 7, wait until mid-March to begin any major seeding or sodding projects. This ensures your new lawn avoids late-season frost damage and capitalizes on the abundant spring rains.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jefferson County's county score?
Jefferson County, Florida has a composite county score of 54.9 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 Jefferson County rank among counties in Florida?
Jefferson County ranks #10 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 Jefferson County, Florida?
The median annual property tax in Jefferson County is $1,439, with an effective tax rate of 0.62%. This earns Jefferson County a tax score of 69.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Jefferson County?
The median household income in Jefferson County, Florida is $61,212 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Jefferson County earns an income score of 37.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Jefferson County, Florida a good place to live?
Jefferson County scores 54.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #10 in Florida. The best way to evaluate Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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.