CountyScore

St. Lucie County

Florida · FL

#60 in Florida
59
County Score

County Report Card

About St. Lucie County, Florida

St. Lucie scores well above national average

St. Lucie County achieves a composite score of 63.0, matching Seminole County and outperforming the national median of 50.0 by 26%. The county demonstrates solid livability metrics that position it favorably in the national landscape.

Below state average, but respectable standing

With a score of 63.0, St. Lucie County falls below Florida's state average of 69.4, ranking in the middle tier of the state's counties. The gap of 6.4 points reflects room for improvement relative to the state's strongest performers.

Best affordability in this group

St. Lucie County earns a cost score of 62.2—the highest among these eight counties—with median gross rent at $1,489/month and median home values of $305,800. The county also offers a tax score of 75.7 and effective tax rate of 0.946%, providing reasonable economic fundamentals for budget-conscious families.

Lower incomes and data limitations

The county's income score of 28.4 reflects median household income of just $69,027, notably lower than state and national standards. Safety, health, school quality, and environmental data remain unavailable, obscuring other important livability dimensions.

Right for value-seeking families and retirees

St. Lucie County best suits families and retirees prioritizing affordability and reasonable taxes over premium incomes and amenities. The county offers an accessible entry point to Florida living with moderate housing costs and stable property values.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75.7Cost62.2SafetyComing SoonHealth66.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.4Risk3.9WaterComing Soon
🏛75.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠62.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡3.9
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 St. Lucie County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Collier County
Florida
59
Median income: $86,173
Worcester County
Massachusetts
59
Median income: $93,561
Cayuga County
New York
59
Median income: $66,583
St. Lawrence County
New York
59
Median income: $61,900
York County
Pennsylvania
59
Median income: $82,238

Deep Dives

St. Lucie County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in St. Lucie County

via TaxByCounty

St. Lucie has one of the nation's highest tax rates

St. Lucie County's effective rate of 0.946% ranks well above the national median, placing it among America's higher-tax counties. At $2,893 in median taxes on a median home worth $305,800, St. Lucie homeowners pay a higher percentage of home value in property taxes than most Americans.

St. Lucie tops Florida's tax rate rankings

St. Lucie's 0.946% effective rate is the highest among the eight counties profiled here and significantly exceeds Florida's 0.731% average. The median tax bill of $2,893 is 53% above the state median of $1,885, reflecting an unusually steep tax burden for the region.

St. Lucie taxes far more than nearby Sumter County

St. Lucie's 0.946% rate dwarfs Sumter County's 0.826%, making St. Lucie the tax leader in its tier. Despite similar home values ($305,800 vs. $356,000), St. Lucie residents pay roughly $800 more annually due to the higher rate.

A $305,800 home costs about $2,893 yearly

The median St. Lucie home, valued at $305,800, incurs an annual property tax of $2,893. With mortgage taxes included, the figure rises to $3,063, while homes owned outright pay $2,626.

St. Lucie homeowners should seriously consider appeals

With property tax rates among the nation's highest, St. Lucie residents stand to gain significantly from challenging their assessments. Filing a free appeal with the county property appraiser could reduce your annual burden substantially.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in St. Lucie County

via CostByCounty

St. Lucie stretches modest incomes thin

St. Lucie County's 25.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the highest in our comparison, reflecting a median household income of just $69,027 against median rents of $1,489. Housing costs here consume a larger share of paychecks than the national average, signaling affordability pressure.

Least affordable county in our group

St. Lucie's 25.9% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Florida's statewide average of 22.5%, placing it among the state's more strained counties. Despite median rents under the highest-cost neighbors, lower incomes here create sharper affordability challenges.

Worse affordability than Seminole or Volusia

St. Lucie renters face higher affordability pressure than Seminole (24.4% ratio) and Volusia (24.7%), despite having lower median rent. The county's $69,027 median income—the weakest among coastal counties—tilts the affordability equation unfavorably.

Renters squeezed, homeowners stable

Renters pay $1,489 monthly (25.9% of income), while homeowners owe $1,236 (21.4% of income), showing why renters face more acute affordability stress. Median home values of $305,800 remain within reach for those able to save a down payment.

St. Lucie for homeowners seeking value

Renters should consider moving inland to Sumter or Suwannee counties, where housing consumes a smaller income share. Prospective homebuyers, however, may find St. Lucie's $305,800 median home value and coastal access worthwhile if securing a mortgage.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in St. Lucie County

via IncomeByCounty

St. Lucie lags national average

St. Lucie County's median household income of $69,027 falls 8% short of the U.S. median of $74,755. The county faces headwinds compared to national earning trends, requiring households to be more deliberate about budgeting.

Middle of Florida's pack

St. Lucie County's $69,027 median income sits $3,559 above Florida's average of $65,468, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 67 counties. The per capita income of $35,125 aligns closely with the state average.

Comparable to regional peers

St. Lucie's $69,027 income tracks closely with Volusia County ($66,581) and Union County ($64,922). The county earns noticeably less than Seminole County ($83,030) and significantly less than St. Johns County ($106,169).

Housing costs squeeze budgets

St. Lucie County's rent-to-income ratio of 25.9% approaches the 30% affordability ceiling, suggesting housing costs are rising relative to household earnings. A median home value of $305,800 requires careful financial planning for median-earning households.

Strategic saving pays off

St. Lucie households earning $69,027 should prioritize building emergency savings and taking advantage of employer 401(k) matches. Even modest, consistent investing can compound significantly over 20–30 years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in St. Lucie County

via HealthByCounty

St. Lucie faces significant health challenges

At 78.2 years, St. Lucie County's life expectancy falls short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years by only 1.8 years, but 19.0% of residents report poor or fair health—significantly above the national rate of 17.3%. This gap signals underlying health disparities despite average life expectancy.

Below state average on key health measures

St. Lucie County's 78.2-year life expectancy trails Florida's 75.8-year average by 2.4 years, but its 14.1% uninsured rate closely mirrors the state's 14.4%, indicating coverage challenges persist. The county's 19.0% poor/fair health rate ranks among Florida's worst.

Struggles compared to surrounding counties

St. Lucie County residents have higher poor/fair health rates (19.0%) than Seminole (14.6%) and St. Johns (11.3%), reflecting localized health equity concerns. Its 14.1% uninsured rate also exceeds most regional peers except Suwannee County.

Primary care access is a critical gap

St. Lucie has only 34 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents—less than half the density in neighboring counties—making routine preventive care harder to access. With 14.1% uninsured and limited primary care availability, residents face real barriers to addressing health issues early.

Coverage is your first step toward better health

St. Lucie County residents without insurance should prioritize enrollment through the Florida Health Insurance Marketplace or Medicaid—coverage opens doors to the primary care this county needs. Call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit FloridaHealthFinder.gov to explore options today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in St. Lucie County

via RiskByCounty

St. Lucie is among America's riskiest

St. Lucie County's composite risk score of 96.06 places it in the "Relatively High" category, significantly outpacing the national average for natural disaster risk. This near-96 score reflects acute, multi-dimensional exposure that demands proactive resident preparedness.

Highest hurricane risk in Florida

St. Lucie's 96.06 score far exceeds Florida's 75.74 state average, and its hurricane risk of 99.21 is the highest in the entire state. This exceptional Atlantic exposure makes St. Lucie a national hotspot for coastal storm hazard.

Distinctly riskier than regional peers

St. Lucie's 96.06 risk score substantially exceeds nearby Seminole County (91.44), St. Johns County (87.53), and Taylor County (65.43). Its near-99 hurricane risk is unmatched among neighboring counties, reflecting its prime Atlantic coast position.

Hurricanes dominate St. Lucie exposure

With a hurricane risk score of 99.21—the state's highest—St. Lucie residents face extraordinary exposure to Atlantic tropical cyclones, storm surge, and wind damage. Flooding is also critical at 89.31, affecting coastal and inland low-lying areas during heavy precipitation events.

Hurricane preparedness is non-negotiable

St. Lucie homeowners must obtain comprehensive flood insurance and ensure hurricane coverage is included in or separate from their homeowners policy. Install hurricane shutters, reinforce roof-to-wall connections, trim trees to reduce wind damage risk, and maintain an updated emergency kit and evacuation plan given the county's extraordinary coastal risk.

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.