Seminole County

Florida · FL

#53 in Florida
61.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Seminole County, Florida

Seminole outpaces the nation on livability

Seminole County scores 63.0 on the CountyScore composite index, well above the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the upper half of all U.S. counties. This 26% advantage reflects a county that offers solid fundamentals for residents seeking economic stability and reasonable tax burden.

Competitive standing within Florida

At 63.0, Seminole County ranks below Florida's state average of 69.4, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 67 counties. Still, the county remains above the national median, suggesting it punches above the national average while trailing some of its stronger Florida peers.

Strong tax advantage and solid incomes

Seminole County shines with a tax score of 82.6 and an effective tax rate of just 0.698%—among the lowest in Florida. Residents enjoy a median household income of $83,030, substantially above the national average, though housing affordability lags at a median home value of $357,300.

Housing costs and limited data points

The county's cost score of 54.7 reflects elevated housing expenses, with median gross rent at $1,686/month. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data remain unavailable, limiting a complete picture of quality of life beyond economic factors.

Best for tax-conscious professionals

Seminole County suits professionals and mid-to-upper-income families who prioritize low taxes and strong earning potential over affordable housing. The county's economic fundamentals make it appealing for those with established incomes who can navigate higher property values.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.6Cost54.7SafetyComing SoonHealth73.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome37.6Risk8.6WaterComing Soon
🏛82.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠54.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼37.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
73.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
8.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Seminole County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Seminole County

via TaxByCounty

Seminole's tax rate sits below the national average

At 0.698%, Seminole County's effective property tax rate falls below the national median, meaning homeowners here pay less in property taxes relative to home value than most Americans. The median property tax bill of $2,493 also undercuts the national median of $2,690, despite Seminole homes being worth significantly more ($357,300 vs. $281,900 nationally).

Seminole ranks below Florida's average tax burden

Seminole's 0.698% rate is lower than Florida's statewide average of 0.731%, placing it in the more affordable tier of the state's 67 counties. Residents pay $2,493 annually, well above the state's median tax of $1,885, largely because Seminole homes command higher valuations than most Florida counties.

Seminole taxes less than nearby Volusia County

Seminole's effective rate of 0.698% beats Volusia County's 0.784%, though Volusia homes are worth slightly less. Compared to St. Johns County to the north (0.775%), Seminole offers a modest tax advantage despite similar home values.

A $357,000 home costs about $2,493 yearly

The median Seminole home, valued at $357,300, incurs an annual property tax of $2,493. With mortgage taxes included, the figure rises to $2,671, while homes owned outright pay $2,086.

Many Seminole homeowners could cut their taxes

Property tax appeals are free in Florida, and many homeowners across the state discover their assessments are inflated. If you believe your Seminole home is overvalued, filing an appeal with the county property appraiser could reduce your annual bill.

Cost of Living in Seminole County

via CostByCounty

Seminole rents outpace national norms

Seminole County renters spend 24.4% of income on housing, compared to the national average of roughly 28% for median rent-to-income ratios. With a median household income of $83,030—well above the national median of $74,755—residents here earn enough to absorb higher rents without severe affordability strain.

More affordable than most Florida counties

Seminole's 24.4% rent-to-income ratio places it slightly above Florida's state average of 22.5%, but rents here run significantly higher than the statewide median of $1,233. Among Florida's 67 counties, Seminole represents a middle-ground: costlier than rural areas, more affordable than booming coastal hubs.

Less costly than St. Johns, more than Volusia

Neighboring St. Johns County carries median rent of $1,775, making Seminole's $1,686 relatively accessible. Volusia County to the south offers slightly lower rents at $1,368, though Seminole's higher incomes offset its higher housing costs.

Rent and mortgages split the budget

Renters here pay $1,686 monthly while homeowners owe $1,484, meaning both groups spend roughly 20–24% of the $83,030 median income on housing. The median home value of $357,300 remains within reach for this county's above-average earners.

Consider Seminole if you earn above median

Seminole offers a balance of suburban convenience and reasonable housing costs—especially for households earning above $83,000. If affordability matters more than income level, Suwannee or Taylor counties offer steeper discounts; if earning potential draws you, St. Johns County may reward that investment.

Income & Jobs in Seminole County

via IncomeByCounty

Seminole tops national average

Seminole County's median household income of $83,030 runs 11% higher than the U.S. median of $74,755. This positions the county well above the national midpoint, reflecting a relatively prosperous workforce across the region.

Second richest in Florida

At $83,030, Seminole County's median income ranks second among Florida's 67 counties, outpacing the state average of $65,468 by $17,562. Only a handful of Florida's wealthiest counties earn more.

Ahead of regional peers

Seminole's $83,030 median income significantly exceeds neighboring Volusia County ($66,581) and St. Lucie County ($69,027). Seminole trails only St. Johns County ($106,169) among its closest regional comparables.

Housing affordable for most

With a rent-to-income ratio of 24.4%, Seminole County keeps housing costs manageable—just below the 30% threshold financial experts recommend. A median home value of $357,300 remains accessible for households earning $83,030 annually.

Build on Seminole's momentum

Seminole households averaging $83,030 have solid income to invest in retirement accounts, college savings, and property appreciation. Consider maximizing 401(k) contributions and exploring investment opportunities to compound wealth over time.

Health in Seminole County

via HealthByCounty

Seminole lives longer than most Americans

At 79.1 years, Seminole County residents live significantly longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Just 14.6% report poor or fair health, beating the national rate of 17.3%, which reflects a population with strong overall wellbeing.

Well above Florida's health average

Seminole County's 79.1-year life expectancy outpaces Florida's state average of 75.8 years by 3.3 years. The county also beats the state's 14.4% uninsured rate with only 11.5% of residents lacking coverage.

Healthier than Volusia, comparable to Sumter

Seminole County residents outlive those in neighboring Volusia County (75.0 years) by four years and have better health outcomes than Sumter County (78.4 years). Its uninsured rate of 11.5% is lower than both neighbors, signaling stronger health security.

Good provider access supports community health

Seminole has 79 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents and 227 mental health providers per 100,000, indicating robust healthcare infrastructure. With 11.5% uninsured, most residents have pathways to regular care and preventive services.

Keep your coverage strong and current

While Seminole County leads on insurance coverage, the 11.5% who remain uninsured should explore options through the Florida Health Insurance Marketplace or Medicaid programs. Check your eligibility and renew coverage annually to maintain the health security that helps this county thrive.

Disaster Risk in Seminole County

via RiskByCounty

Seminole's risk tops U.S. average

With a composite risk score of 91.44, Seminole County faces significantly higher natural disaster risk than the typical American county. This "Relatively Moderate" rating reflects above-average exposure to multiple hazards, particularly tornadoes and hurricanes that regularly threaten the region.

Well above Florida's baseline

Seminole's 91.44 score substantially exceeds Florida's state average of 75.74, placing it among the state's riskier counties. The county's tornado risk of 97.55 and hurricane risk of 94.66 are the primary drivers of this elevated statewide standing.

Riskier than nearby counties

Seminole faces notably higher overall risk than neighboring Suwannee County (71.34) and Sumter County (87.60). Its tornado risk of 97.55 is particularly acute compared to these adjacent areas, making severe convective weather a distinctive local concern.

Tornadoes and hurricanes dominate

Tornado risk scores 97.55 in Seminole—among the highest in the state—while hurricane risk reaches 94.66, exposing residents to severe wind and storm surge damage. Flooding also poses a substantial threat with a score of 92.75, particularly in low-lying and coastal-adjacent neighborhoods.

Comprehensive coverage is essential

Seminole residents should secure robust homeowners insurance that explicitly covers wind and hail damage from tornadoes and hurricanes, plus separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. Consider reinforcing roof attachment, installing storm shutters, and maintaining a family emergency plan given the county's high tornado and hurricane exposure.

ByCounty Network

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