countyscore
31.5
County Score
Property Tax 56.3Water Quality 52.7Cost of Living 47.3

County Report Card

About Okeechobee County, Florida

Okeechobee ranks near national bottom

Okeechobee County's composite score of 31.6 falls 18.4 points below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the bottom 15% nationally. This severe deficit reflects systemic challenges in employment, healthcare, education, and safety.

Among Florida's lowest-scoring counties

Okeechobee scores 31.6 against Florida's 45.1 average—a 13.5-point gap—ranking in the bottom tier of the state's 67 counties. The county struggles across most livability dimensions compared to state and national peers.

Affordable housing is primary advantage

Okeechobee's cost score of 49.2 is among Florida's highest, offering median home values of just $179,000 and rents of $974/month. Housing affordability is the primary livability asset in this rural county.

Schools, health, and jobs are critical gaps

Okeechobee's school score of 14.9 and health score of 15.8 are among Florida's lowest, signaling underfunded education and limited healthcare access. Median household income of $52,288 is substantially below state norms, reflecting limited economic opportunity.

Only suitable for cost-driven retirees

Okeechobee works exclusively for retirees on fixed incomes ($52k) willing to accept minimal schools, limited healthcare, and rural isolation for extreme affordability. This county has limited appeal beyond cost-conscious seniors.

2040608010056.347.324.515.814.928.219.752.710.4Tax56.3Cost47.3Safety24.5Health15.8Schools14.9Income28.2Risk19.7Water52.7Weather10.431.5/100
This county
National avg
6 below average

Okeechobee County DNA

Foverall

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

Okeechobee County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Weather & Climate (10.4/100), though Property Tax (56.3/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
56.3
Cost
47.3
Safety
24.5-30.5
Health
15.8-34.2
Schools
14.9-39.1
Income
28.2-22.8
Risk
19.7-27.3
Water
52.7
Weather
10.4-45.6
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Whether buying or refinancing in Okeechobee County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$193,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,082/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$193,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$43,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $57,984/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

19.9

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Okeechobee County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Okeechobee County

via TaxByCounty

Okeechobee taxes remain well below national

Okeechobee County's effective tax rate of 0.754% sits just below the national average, but its median property tax of $1,349 is 50% lower than the national median of $2,690. This favorable comparison reflects the county's lower home values rather than an unusually low tax rate.

Okeechobee ranks slightly above state average

Okeechobee County's 0.754% effective rate sits just slightly above Florida's state average of 0.731%, placing it near the middle of the state's 67 counties. The county's median tax of $1,349 is the lowest among the counties reviewed here, driven by the lowest median home values at $179,000.

Okeechobee the most affordable in region

Okeechobee County's 0.754% rate closely resembles Marion County (0.751%) to the north, but its substantially lower home values make it the most affordable county in central Florida by total tax burden. The median annual tax bill of $1,349 is less than half what homeowners pay in higher-value nearby counties.

What Okeechobee homeowners actually pay

A homeowner with Okeechobee's median home value of $179,000 pays approximately $1,349 in annual property taxes at the county's 0.754% effective rate. With a mortgage, that bill rises to about $1,599 when including escrow and related costs.

Small assessments still worth reviewing

Even with modest property values, Okeechobee homeowners should verify their assessments match fair market value to avoid paying unnecessary taxes. The county property appraiser offers a free appeal process that could result in modest but meaningful annual savings.

Income & Jobs in Okeechobee County

via IncomeByCounty

Okeechobee significantly below national average

Okeechobee County's median household income of $52,288 falls $22,467 short of the national median of $74,755, placing the county in the lowest tier nationally. This rural central Florida community faces economic headwinds typical of agricultural regions.

Lowest income in the eight-county group

At $52,288, Okeechobee's median household income ranks significantly below Florida's state average of $65,468 by $13,180. The county is among Florida's lowest-earning regions overall.

Substantial gap from surrounding counties

Okeechobee's $52,288 trails nearby Marion County ($58,535) and every other comparison county by substantial margins. The county's agricultural economy and limited urban development restrict household earnings relative to more urbanized Florida regions.

Rent manageable despite low income

Okeechobee's rent-to-income ratio of 22.4% is reasonable, and the median home value of $179,000 is the lowest among the eight counties. Despite low incomes, housing affordability remains a relative strength in this rural community.

Build wealth through discipline and opportunity

Okeechobee residents earning below state average should prioritize emergency savings and seek skill-development opportunities to increase earning potential. Explore community resources, local workforce programs, and affordable investment options that compound even modest savings over time.

Safety in Okeechobee County

via CrimeByCounty

Public Safety in Okeechobee County

Okeechobee County maintains a safety score of 97.0, indicating a generally secure environment. Its total crime rate of 1878.6 per 100K is lower than the national average of 2,385.5. Local law enforcement effectively keeps the area safer than many other parts of the country.

How Okeechobee Compares to Florida Averages

The county's crime rate of 1878.6 sits above the Florida state average of 1027.9. With a safety score of 97.0, it falls slightly below the state-wide average of 98.4. Eight reporting agencies work to manage safety within this primarily rural county.

Regional Safety Comparisons

Okeechobee (1878.6) shows higher crime rates than neighboring Martin County (1207.0). However, it remains significantly safer than more urbanized areas like Orange County (2762.5). The county's safety profile is typical for a region with its specific population density.

The Distribution of Local Incidents

Property crime is the most frequent issue, with 1572.6 incidents per 100K residents. The violent crime rate is 306.0, which is below the national violent crime average of 369.8. This suggests that residents face more risk to property than to personal safety.

Simple Steps for a Safer Home

Since property crime is the main concern, residents should focus on securing barns, sheds, and vehicles. Installing perimeter lighting and basic camera systems can significantly reduce the risk of theft. Community awareness is key to improving local safety scores.

Weather & Climate in Okeechobee County

via WeatherByCounty

Tropical transition far above national norms

Okeechobee's 74.6°F average annual temperature is much higher than the national median. The county rarely sees cold weather, maintaining a warm profile throughout the year.

Hotter and slightly drier than average

The county is warmer than the Florida average of 71.1°F. It records 50.3 inches of rain per year, which is about 4 inches less than the state average.

Inland heat exceeds the coastline

Okeechobee faces 103 days of extreme heat, far more than coastal Palm Beach's 86 days. While temperatures are similar to its neighbors, the inland location traps more heat during the day.

Intense heat with mild winters

Residents endure 103 days of temperatures at or above 90°F annually. Winters remain pleasant and snow-free, with a December-February average of 64.8°F.

Plan around the midday sun

Outdoor activities should be scheduled for early morning to avoid the 103 days of extreme heat. With rainfall at 50.3 inches, residents should prepare for a standard but slightly drier wet season.

Soil Quality in Okeechobee County

via SoilByCounty

Balanced Inland Entisols

Okeechobee features sandy Entisols with a pH of 5.14, making it one of the less acidic profiles in the state. This level is still below the national median of 6.5 but provides a more balanced environment for diverse crops.

Heavily Sandy Structure

The soil is 85.6% sand, with only 1.5% silt and 2.4% clay. This high sand percentage creates a very loose structure that is easy to dig but struggles to hold onto nutrients naturally.

Superior Organic Richness

The soil boasts an impressive 10.29% organic matter, well above the Florida average of 8.03%. Paired with an available water capacity of 0.122 in/in, this land offers better-than-average growing potential.

Well-Drained Landscapes

These soils are well drained and categorized in Hydrologic Group A. This makes the land suitable for many types of agricultural use and building projects that require stable, dry ground.

Long Growing Seasons

Hardiness zone 10a allows for a long growing season with minimal frost risk. Tropical fruits and warm-season grasses will thrive here, especially given the county's superior drainage.

Lawn Care in Okeechobee County

via LawnByCounty

Okeechobee’s Hot Inland Lawn Environment

Okeechobee County scores a 21.2 for lawn difficulty, making it slightly easier than the state average but still much harder than the national median. In Hardiness Zone 10a, the climate remains warm enough for grass to grow almost year-round.

Inland Heat and Growing Energy

The county faces 103 extreme heat days per year, well above the state average of 92. With 9,004 growing degree days, the heat drives rapid turf metabolism that requires consistent watering and mowing to maintain.

Working with Acidic Sandy Foundation

The soil is 85.6% sand and well-drained, which helps prevent puddling but requires frequent watering. A pH of 5.14 is too acidic for most turf, so applying lime is a common necessity to unlock soil nutrients.

Thriving Through Severe Drought Cycles

With 31 weeks of drought over the last year and 100% of the county in severe drought now, water management is paramount. Focus on nighttime or early morning irrigation to maximize every drop in this sandy, high-heat environment.

Planting Your Inland Florida Lawn

Bahia and St. Augustine are excellent, heat-tolerant choices for Zone 10a. With the last frost typically occurring on January 31, the spring growing window opens early, allowing for a long and productive establishing phase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Okeechobee County's county score?
Okeechobee County, Florida has a composite county score of 31.5 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 Okeechobee County rank among counties in Florida?
Okeechobee County ranks #64 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 Okeechobee County, Florida?
The median annual property tax in Okeechobee County is $1,423, with an effective tax rate of 0.74%. This earns Okeechobee County a tax score of 56.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Okeechobee County?
The median household income in Okeechobee County, Florida is $57,984 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Okeechobee County earns an income score of 28.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Okeechobee County, Florida a good place to live?
Okeechobee County scores 31.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #64 in Florida. The best way to evaluate Okeechobee 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 Okeechobee County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.