countyscore
48.3
County Score
Income & Jobs 90.2Health 68.9Water Quality 62.6

County Report Card

About Nassau County, Florida

Nassau exceeds national livability standard

Nassau County's composite score of 48.6 sits within 1.4 points of the national median of 50.0, ranking at the 48th percentile nationally. This solid positioning reflects consistent performance across multiple dimensions without major deficits.

Above average among Florida counties

Nassau scores 48.6 against Florida's state average of 45.1, outperforming most of the state and ranking in the upper-middle range of Florida's 67 counties. This edge signals relative stability and opportunity compared to peers.

Highest incomes and strong safety in state

Nassau's income score of 91.5 represents the highest in this dataset, with median household income of $88,900, and its safety score of 61.9 is among Florida's best. These twin strengths suggest prosperous, secure communities with strong economic fundamentals.

Housing remains out of reach for many

Nassau's cost score of 11.4 reflects affordability challenges, with median homes at $351,100 and rents at $1,335/month limiting entry-level buyers. School performance at 36.7 also lags relative to income levels, suggesting underfunded education infrastructure.

Ideal for affluent families seeking safety

Nassau County suits prosperous families ($88k+) prioritizing personal safety, strong incomes, and excellent healthcare over budget housing. This is a stable, secure county for the well-established middle to upper class.

2040608010059.810.361.968.936.790.240.762.635.5Tax59.8Cost10.3Safety61.9Health68.9Schools36.7Income90.2Risk40.7Water62.6Weather35.548.3/100
This county
National avg
2 above average3 below average

Nassau County DNA

Foverall

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

Nassau County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (90.2/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (10.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
59.8
Cost
10.3-37.7
Safety
61.9
Health
68.9+18.900000000000006
Schools
36.7-17.299999999999997
Income
90.2+39.2
Risk
40.7
Water
62.6
Weather
35.5-20.5
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$382,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,526/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$382,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$61,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $89,804/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

18.0

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

Marengo County
Alabama
Median income: $43,825
48.3
Montgomery County
Alabama
Median income: $59,386
48.3
Conway County
Arkansas
Median income: $54,187
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Madison County
Georgia
Median income: $61,963
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Kankakee County
Illinois
Median income: $71,281
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McLean County
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Median income: $79,905
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Haskell County
Kansas
Median income: $66,162
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Pawnee County
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Median income: $63,517
48.3

Nearby counties

Duval County
Florida
30.4
Charlton County
Georgia
61.2
Camden County
Georgia
45.8
Baker County
Florida
44.5
Brantley County
Georgia
47.9
Glynn County
Georgia
41.8
Clay County
Florida
43.9
St. Johns County
Florida
50.6

Deep Dives

Nassau County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Nassau County

via TaxByCounty

Nassau's tax rate beats the national average

Nassau County's effective tax rate of 0.729% sits just below the national average, creating a relatively balanced tax burden for homeowners in this region. The county's median property tax of $2,558 falls between the national median of $2,690 and the state average, reflecting moderate taxation overall.

Nassau ranks near Florida's middle ground

Nassau County's 0.729% effective rate nearly matches Florida's state average of 0.731%, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's 67 counties. The median tax of $2,558 sits between the state median of $1,885 and higher-taxed counties, suggesting fairly typical property tax treatment.

Nassau competitive with surrounding counties

Nassau County's 0.729% rate sits below Miami-Dade (0.827%) and Martin County (0.807%), offering a modest advantage to homeowners in this northern region. With moderate property values and rates near state average, Nassau provides predictable, middle-of-the-road taxation compared to wealthier South Florida counties.

What Nassau homeowners actually pay

A homeowner with Nassau County's median home value of $351,100 pays approximately $2,558 in annual property taxes at the county's 0.729% effective rate. With a mortgage, that bill rises to about $2,627 when including escrow and related costs.

Nassau owners should still review assessments

Even in fairly-taxed counties like Nassau, a meaningful percentage of homeowners are assessed above fair market value and eligible for free appeals. Contact Nassau County's property appraiser to verify your assessment matches comparable properties and explore potential tax reduction opportunities.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Nassau County

via IncomeByCounty

Nassau tops national income benchmark

Nassau County's median household income of $88,900 significantly exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $14,145, placing it in the top tier nationally. This northeast Florida county's strong economy and affluent demographics drive its leadership position.

Florida's highest-earning county

Nassau County's median household income of $88,900 ranks as the highest among all eight counties and surpasses Florida's state average of $65,468 by $23,432. The county consistently outearns its peers across the state.

Leads the region by a wide margin

Nassau's $88,900 substantially exceeds neighboring Duval County and all other comparable regions, reflecting its position as a wealth center in northeast Florida. The county's proximity to Jacksonville's job market and amenities attracts high-earning households.

Excellent affordability with strong income

Nassau's rent-to-income ratio of 18.0% is the lowest among the eight counties, indicating housing costs consume just one-fifth of household earnings. With a median home value of $351,100 and above-average incomes, residents enjoy substantial financial flexibility.

Maximize your advantage

Nassau County residents benefit from both high incomes and low housing burdens—an ideal combination for aggressive wealth-building and long-term investing. Consider maximizing retirement contributions, diversifying investments, and developing a comprehensive financial plan with a professional advisor.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Nassau County

via CrimeByCounty

Nassau County Among the Nation's Safest

Nassau County boasts a high safety score of 98.6, placing it well above national norms. Its total crime rate of 879.4 per 100K is roughly one-third of the national average of 2,385.5. This data highlights Nassau as a premier choice for safety-conscious residents.

Nassau Outperforms Florida State Averages

The county's crime rate of 879.4 is notably lower than the Florida state average of 1027.9. With a safety score of 98.6, Nassau also exceeds the state average score of 98.4. Eight reporting agencies coordinate effectively to maintain this high standard of living.

Safety Leadership in Northeast Florida

Nassau County (879.4) is significantly safer than Marion County (1411.8) and other nearby regions. It maintains a low-crime profile that is rare for counties with growing populations. This stability makes it a standout for safety in the northeastern corner of the state.

Low Rates Across All Crime Categories

Nassau's violent crime rate is just 171.5 per 100K, which is far lower than the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also exceptionally low at 707.9 incidents per 100K residents. These figures represent some of the most favorable safety metrics in the region.

Maintaining Nassau's High Safety Record

Residents can help keep rates low by continuing to practice smart home security. Even in low-crime areas, deadbolts and simple security cameras deter opportunistic theft. Community awareness remains the strongest defense for Nassau households.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Nassau County

via WeatherByCounty

Subtropical warmth above the national average

Nassau County's 70.0°F average temperature sits comfortably above the U.S. median. This humid subtropical climate offers a mild environment without the extreme cold found in northern states.

Cooler than the typical Florida average

Nassau is actually cooler than the Florida state average of 71.1°F, reflecting its northern location. Its 49.9 inches of annual rain also falls slightly short of the 54.8-inch state mean.

Milder heat than interior Florida

Nassau experiences 45 days of extreme heat, which is significantly lower than central counties like Orange. It remains warmer than western panhandle counties like Okaloosa, which averages 67.7°F.

Distinct winters and manageable summers

Winter temperatures average a cool 56.8°F, providing a true seasonal shift compared to South Florida. July peaks at 82.8°F, contributing to 45 days of temperatures reaching 90°F or higher.

Pack layers for the northern Florida winter

Residents need lightweight layers for winters that dip to a 54.9°F average in January. With less rainfall than the state average, standard lawn irrigation is usually sufficient for local landscaping.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Nassau County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Northeast Entisols

Nassau’s soils belong to the Entisols order, characterized by a sand-heavy texture and an acidic pH of 4.72. This acidity is significantly lower than the national median of 6.5 and slightly below the Florida average of 4.88.

Sandy Texture Dominates

The soil consists of 79.7% sand, 3.9% silt, and 5.2% clay. This high sand content suggests easy workability but requires careful management to prevent nutrients from leaching away during heavy rains.

Better Than State Average

Organic matter stands at 8.88%, which is higher than the state average of 8.03%. The available water capacity of 0.112 in/in is also slightly better than the Florida benchmark of 0.108, supporting healthy plant growth.

Poor Drainage Risks

The soil is classified as somewhat poorly drained despite falling into Hydrologic Group A. This combination means that while the sand allows for infiltration, a high local water table may keep the ground damp.

Blueberries and Azaleas

Nassau County is in zone 9a, a prime spot for blueberries and azaleas that thrive in acidic conditions. Use the high organic content to jumpstart your garden with native Florida perennials.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Nassau County

via LawnByCounty

Nassau County's Coastal Lawn Challenge

Nassau County earns a 29.7 lawn difficulty score, making it one of the easier counties in Florida to manage but still harder than the national average. The Zone 9a climate offers a distinct break from the heat that southern counties lack.

Moderate Heat and Steady Rain

The county sees just 45 extreme heat days annually, which is roughly half the Florida state average of 92. With 49.9 inches of annual precipitation, Nassau sits perfectly within the ideal range for healthy turf growth.

Improving Poorly Drained Sandy Soil

The soil is 79.7% sand and somewhat poorly drained, which can lead to root rot during heavy rains. With a very acidic pH of 4.72, you will likely need lime treatments to reach the 6.0-7.0 range that most grasses prefer.

Protecting Lawns from Severe Drought

Even with 24 weeks of drought in the past year, the entire county currently sits under severe drought conditions. Focus on mulching and maintaining a taller grass height to help the soil retain moisture during these stressful periods.

Planting for the North Florida Season

Zoysia and Centipede grass are ideal for the temperature swings of Zone 9a. Wait until after the last frost on February 2 to seed, and finish your major lawn projects before the first frost arrives on January 4.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nassau County's county score?
Nassau County, Florida has a composite county score of 48.3 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 Nassau County rank among counties in Florida?
Nassau County ranks #25 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 Nassau County, Florida?
The median annual property tax in Nassau County is $2,699, with an effective tax rate of 0.71%. This earns Nassau County a tax score of 59.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Nassau County?
The median household income in Nassau County, Florida is $89,804 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Nassau County earns an income score of 90.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Nassau County, Florida a good place to live?
Nassau County scores 48.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #25 in Florida. The best way to evaluate Nassau 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 Nassau 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.