CountyScore

Lake County

Florida · FL

#49 in Florida
61.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Lake County, Florida

Lake County Outpaces National Averages

Lake County's composite score of 66.0 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, reflecting solid fundamentals across measured dimensions. This 32% advantage positions the county in the upper half of American counties for overall livability.

Slightly Below Florida's State Average

Lake County scores 66.0 compared to Florida's state average of 69.4, placing it in the middle tier of the state's counties. While competitive, the county faces slightly steeper housing costs than some of its regional counterparts.

Balanced Taxes and Rising Incomes

Lake County maintains a tax score of 80.0 with an effective rate of 0.793% and median household income of $69,956, supporting middle-class stability. The combination of manageable tax burden and above-county-average earnings creates economic breathing room for residents.

Housing Affordability Pressures Rising

The cost score of 64.7 reflects median home values of $287,900 and rents of $1,468 monthly, moderating the county's overall affordability advantage. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data remain unavailable, leaving important quality-of-life factors unmeasured.

Best for Middle-Income Florida Families

Lake County appeals to families seeking a middle-ground balance between tax efficiency and reasonable incomes, without requiring extreme affordability. The county offers solid fundamentals for those willing to accept moderate housing costs in exchange for economic stability and established community infrastructure.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80Cost64.7SafetyComing SoonHealth68.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.1Risk8.1WaterComing Soon
🏛80
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠64.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡8.1
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 Lake County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Alachua County
Florida
61.7
Median income: $59,659
Cobb County
Georgia
61.7
Median income: $98,712
Herkimer County
New York
61.7
Median income: $68,858
Lorain County
Ohio
61.7
Median income: $70,693
Erie County
Pennsylvania
61.7
Median income: $61,476

Deep Dives

Lake County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Lake County

via TaxByCounty

Lake County taxes slightly above national average

Lake County's effective tax rate of 0.793% exceeds the national median of 0.71%, and its median tax bill of $2,284 sits below the national median of $2,690. This positions Lake as a moderate-tax county—higher than rural Florida but more affordable than many suburban markets nationally.

Middle of the pack in Florida

Lake County's effective rate of 0.793% runs above Florida's 0.731% average, ranking it in the upper-middle tier statewide. Its median tax of $2,284 exceeds the state median of $1,885 by roughly 21%, reflecting stronger property values rather than aggressive tax policy.

Higher than rural counties, lower than booming coasts

Lake's 0.793% rate exceeds Lafayette (0.646%) and Levy (0.648%), but trails the coastal growth corridors of Lee (0.827%) and Manatee (0.793%). Its median tax of $2,284 places it in the middle of the region, reflecting the county's mix of retiree communities and suburban development.

Typical annual tax on Lake properties

A homeowner with a median-valued home of $287,900 pays approximately $2,284 in annual property taxes—roughly $190 per month. Those with mortgages typically see an additional $276 added to their annual payment, reaching $2,560 total.

Appeal if your assessment feels high

Even stable counties like Lake experience assessment errors; overassessed homeowners can file formal value appeals to reduce their tax burden. With median homes valued near $288,000, even a modest appeal could save hundreds in annual taxes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lake County

via CostByCounty

Lake County renters stretch their budgets

Lake County's rent-to-income ratio of 25.2% exceeds the national average, meaning local renters dedicate roughly a quarter of their earnings to housing. At $1,468 monthly rent versus a median income of $69,956, the affordability gap is noticeable but still manageable compared to Florida's priciest metro areas.

Above average cost in Florida

Lake County's 25.2% rent-to-income ratio places it above Florida's state average of 22.5%, signaling tighter housing affordability across the county. Median rent of $1,468 reflects Lake County's position as a growth-oriented region with increasing demand and property costs.

Pricier than rural neighbors

Lake County's $1,468 median rent substantially exceeds neighboring rural counties like Levy ($826) and Marion County areas, though it remains cheaper than coastal hotspots like Lee ($1,597) and Manatee ($1,549). This reflects Lake's status as a regional hub with more urban amenities and job opportunities than surrounding counties.

Owners pay more, renters stretch further

Lake County renters spend $1,468 monthly (25.2% of income), while homeowners face $1,096 mortgage costs on median homes valued at $287,900. For renters, nearly one-quarter of take-home pay goes to housing; homeowners with substantial down payments enjoy better equity-building but still carry significant monthly obligations.

Lake County: growth with housing trade-offs

Lake County offers job growth and urban conveniences at the cost of higher housing burden than rural alternatives—renters here spend 25.2% of income on rent versus Lafayette's 17.4%. If you prioritize career opportunities and don't mind a tighter housing budget, Lake's median home value of $287,900 and active market may justify the trade.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lake County

via IncomeByCounty

Lake County slightly behind national average

Lake County's median household income of $69,956 runs about 6% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the middle of the national income distribution. The county's per capita income of $36,956 actually exceeds Florida's state average of $35,698.

Middle of Florida's income ladder

At $69,956, Lake County's median household income ranks above the Florida state average of $65,468 by roughly $4,500. This positions the county in the upper-middle tier of Florida's 67 counties for household earnings.

Competitive income with nearby counties

Lake County's $69,956 median income sits comfortably between Levy County ($53,805) to the north and Lee County ($73,099) to the south. The county attracts a mix of retirees, service workers, and small-business owners across its diverse economy.

Housing costs rise but remain workable

Lake County's rent-to-income ratio of 25.2% shows housing consuming about one-quarter of median household earnings—approaching the affordability threshold. The median home value of $287,900 requires careful budgeting for first-time homebuyers at the county median income.

Strategic investing builds long-term security

Lake County residents earning near the $69,956 median can benefit from diversified investment portfolios and employer-sponsored retirement plans. Homeownership itself becomes a wealth-building tool as property values appreciate over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lake County

via HealthByCounty

Lake County exceeds national health benchmarks

Lake County residents enjoy a life expectancy of 77.4 years, slightly above the U.S. average of 78.9 years and well above many Florida peers. The county's 18% poor/fair health rate beats the national average of 17%, indicating better overall population health.

Strong performer on Florida's health rankings

At 77.4 years, Lake County's life expectancy exceeds Florida's state average of 75.8 years by 1.6 years. The county's 12.6% uninsured rate is notably lower than the state average of 14.4%, reflecting better insurance access.

Healthcare access outpaces similar counties

Lake County boasts 59 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—roughly five times more than Lafayette County (12). With 127 mental health providers per 100,000, the county provides substantially stronger behavioral health support than neighboring Levy and Lafayette counties.

Strong provider network supports residents

Lake County's 12.6% uninsured rate means most residents have health coverage and can access primary and mental health services. The robust network of 59 primary care and 127 mental health providers per 100,000 residents makes scheduling appointments and finding care relatively straightforward.

Ensure continuous health coverage

While Lake County has good insurance penetration, nearly 1 in 8 residents still lack coverage and should explore marketplace or Medicaid options. Review your current plan annually to ensure it meets your needs and takes advantage of available preventive care benefits.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lake County

via RiskByCounty

Lake County faces moderate disaster risk nationally

Lake County's composite risk score of 91.92 with a 'Relatively Moderate' rating sits well above the national average. The county experiences elevated exposure to multiple hazards, particularly flooding, wildfires, and tornadoes, making preparedness critical for residents.

Among Florida's higher-risk counties

Lake County's score of 91.92 exceeds Florida's state average of 75.74, placing it in the upper half of the state's risk rankings. This elevation reflects the convergence of multiple climate hazards affecting central Florida's landscape.

Moderate risk shared with central Florida

Lake County's 91.92 score aligns closely with Leon County (93.35) and Manatee County (97.55), indicating a broader pattern of elevated risk across central and southwestern Florida. The cluster of moderate-to-high risk counties in this region reflects Florida's geographic exposure to multiple disaster types.

Tornadoes, floods, and fires pose real threats

Lake County residents face tornado risk at 97.39, flood risk at 92.30, and wildfire risk at 95.99—three hazards that consistently top local disaster concerns. The combination creates a compound risk environment requiring year-round preparation and situational awareness.

Comprehensive coverage is non-negotiable

Lake County homeowners should prioritize flood insurance, wind/hurricane coverage, and wildfire-resistant improvements given risk scores all exceeding 92. Bundling policies and reinforcing roof attachments, clearing brush around structures, and understanding flood zones form the foundation of comprehensive home protection.

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.