countyscore
41.7
County Score
Income & Jobs 87.1Health 69.6Property Tax 63.6

County Report Card

About Seminole County, Florida

Seminole lags behind national average

Seminole County's composite score of 41.8 falls below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the bottom 40% of U.S. counties. Despite strong income levels, the county's overall livability is held back by affordability and safety challenges that offset its economic strengths.

Middle-of-the-pack performer statewide

Seminole ranks below Florida's state average composite score of 45.1, indicating it's performing below typical for the state. The county faces steeper challenges than many of its neighboring Florida counties in balancing costs and safety.

High incomes and reasonable tax burden

Seminole excels with a median household income of $83,030 and an income score of 86.9, reflecting a prosperous workforce. The tax score of 63.5 is also a bright spot, with an effective tax rate of just 0.698%, offering some relief on tax bills.

Housing costs and safety need attention

The county's cost score of just 6.5 reflects median home values of $357,300 and rents of $1,686/month, making it expensive relative to incomes. Safety also lags with a score of 34.2, and environmental risk scores are concerning at 8.6, suggesting areas for community improvement.

Best for affluent professionals who value income

Seminole suits dual-income professionals and established families with above-average earnings who can absorb higher housing costs. However, those prioritizing affordability, family safety, or lower-cost living should explore other Florida counties with stronger composite scores.

2040608010063.66.234.269.646.587.18.654.312.5Tax63.6Cost6.2Safety34.2Health69.6Schools46.5Income87.1Risk8.6Water54.3Weather12.541.7/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Seminole County DNA

Foverall

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

Seminole County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (87.1/100) but notably weak in Weather & Climate (12.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
63.6+11.600000000000001
Cost
6.2-41.8
Safety
34.2-20.799999999999997
Health
69.6+19.599999999999994
Schools
46.5
Income
87.1+36.099999999999994
Risk
8.6-38.4
Water
54.3
Weather
12.5-43.5
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$386,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,783/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$386,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$71,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $85,761/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

13.3

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
Compare Seminole County with Autauga County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Autauga County
Alabama
Median income: $72,481
41.7
Jackson County
Arkansas
Median income: $44,218
41.7
Glenn County
California
Median income: $67,139
41.7
Carroll County
Georgia
Median income: $73,714
41.7
Bonneville County
Idaho
Median income: $79,068
41.7
Somerset County
Maine
Median income: $58,179
41.7
George County
Mississippi
Median income: $59,758
41.7
Buncombe County
North Carolina
Median income: $74,436
41.7

Nearby counties

Orange County
Florida
31.9
Lake County
Florida
45.9
Volusia County
Florida
33.9
Brevard County
Florida
40.9
Osceola County
Florida
31.8
Polk County
Florida
37.2
Flagler County
Florida
45.3
Sumter County
Florida
53.6

Deep Dives

Seminole County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Seminole County

via CrimeByCounty

Seminole County Surpasses National Safety Standards

Seminole County earns a high safety score of 97.6, reflecting a secure environment for its residents. Its total crime rate of 1527.2 per 100,000 people is much lower than the national average of 2385.5.

Comparing Seminole to the Florida Average

The county's safety score of 97.6 is slightly below the Florida state average of 98.4. While the state average crime rate is 1027.9, Seminole reports a higher rate of 1527.2 across its 15 reporting agencies.

Seminole Outperforms Neighboring Volusia County

Seminole maintains a lower total crime rate than neighboring Volusia County, which reports 1594.3 crimes per 100,000 residents. This positioning makes Seminole a relatively safer suburban choice within the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford corridor.

Property Crimes Drive Local Statistics

Property crime makes up the bulk of local incidents at 1302.1 per 100,000, while violent crime sits at 225.1. These figures mean residents are far more likely to experience theft than personal harm.

Securing Your Seminole County Residence

With property crime as the primary concern, homeowners should focus on visible security measures like doorbell cameras. Simple steps like locking all entry points remain the most effective deterrent against opportunistic theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Seminole County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm Inland Subtropical Climate

Seminole County averages 72.9°F, placing it well above the national median for annual temperature. Its inland location creates a humid environment with no annual snowfall.

Warmer Than the State Norm

The 72.9°F average temperature in Seminole is nearly two degrees higher than the Florida state average of 71.1°F. It consistently ranks as a warm central Florida hub.

Comparing Central Heat

Seminole sees 112 extreme heat days, which is slightly less than Polk's 121 but significantly more than coastal St. Johns. It shares a similar July peak of 83.3°F with Pinellas.

Steamy Summers and Pleasant Winters

Summer averages reach 82.7°F, coupled with 112 days of temperatures topping 90°F. Winters provide a comfortable balance with a 61.8°F average and dry conditions.

Manage Summer Storms

Prepare for 51.8 inches of annual rain, much of which arrives during intense summer afternoon thunderstorms. Modern HVAC systems are a necessity to combat the 112 days of extreme heat.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Seminole County

via SoilByCounty

Highly acidic soils in Central Florida

Seminole County features an average soil pH of 4.71, making it significantly more acidic than the national median of 6.5. This level also falls slightly below the Florida state average of 4.88. While specific taxonomic data is limited here, the acidic profile defines the region's chemical makeup.

A sandy foundation with minimal clay

The soil composition is dominated by 81.0% sand, with very low levels of silt at 0.8% and clay at 1.8%. This gritty mix ensures rapid drainage but offers very little natural structure for holding onto added nutrients. Gardeners must manage this loose texture carefully to prevent fertilizer runoff.

Exceptional organic matter boost

At 13.92%, the organic matter content is remarkably high, far exceeding the state average of 8.03% and the national average of 2.0%. This rich biological material supports an available water capacity of 0.123 in/in. These factors contribute to a healthy soil score of 34.9, which sits above the state average.

Managing water in an unclassified landscape

While specific drainage classes are not recorded for this area, the high sand content suggests naturally fast percolation. The soil score of 34.9 indicates better-than-average performance compared to the Florida baseline of 31.1. Local builders and farmers should monitor site-specific water tables before major projects.

Thriving in hardiness zone 10a

With a 10a hardiness rating, Seminole County is perfect for heat-loving tropicals and citrus. The high organic matter supports heavy feeders, provided you supplement the naturally acidic pH. Start a garden today with acid-loving blueberries or ornamental gingers.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Seminole County

via LawnByCounty

Overcoming the Odds in Seminole County

Seminole County earns a lawn difficulty score of 24.5, which is slightly better than the Florida average of 19.2 but far tougher than the national median of 50.0. Located in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a, homeowners must manage turf in a tropical climate that never truly sleeps. The high difficulty score reflects the constant battle against heat and humidity in Central Florida.

Managing Heat and Abundant Rainfall

The county faces 112 extreme heat days above 90°F annually, significantly higher than the state average of 92 days. While 51.8 inches of annual rain falls within the ideal range, the 8,406 growing degree days indicate an intense metabolism for your grass. You will need to mow frequently and monitor for fungal issues during the wet, humid summer months.

Tackling Acidic and Sandy Soil

Your soil is 81.0% sand and has a pH of 4.71, which is much more acidic than the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for most turf. Low clay content at just 1.8% means nutrients leach away quickly after application. Regular lime treatments are essential here to raise the pH and unlock nutrients for your lawn’s roots.

Navigating Periodic Dry Spells

Seminole County has spent 18 weeks in drought over the past year, and 100.0% of the area is currently classified as abnormally dry. Even with high annual rainfall, sandy soils don't hold moisture well, leading to rapid wilting. To conserve water, irrigate deeply but infrequently to encourage your grass to grow deeper, more resilient roots.

Planting for Success in Zone 10a

St. Augustine and Bermuda grass are the top choices for this climate because they can handle the 10a heat. Since the last spring frost typically occurs by January 26, you can start your sodding or seeding projects earlier than most of the country. Get started now to establish a strong root system before the peak summer heat arrives.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Seminole County's county score?
Seminole County, Florida has a composite county score of 41.7 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 Seminole County rank among counties in Florida?
Seminole County ranks #43 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 Seminole County, Florida?
The median annual property tax in Seminole County is $2,599, with an effective tax rate of 0.67%. This earns Seminole County a tax score of 63.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Seminole County?
The median household income in Seminole County, Florida is $85,761 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Seminole County earns an income score of 87.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Seminole County, Florida a good place to live?
Seminole County scores 41.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #43 in Florida. The best way to evaluate Seminole 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 Seminole 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.