countyscore
36.6
County Score
Income & Jobs 64.4Water Quality 56.1Health 49.6

County Report Card

About St. Lucie County, Florida

St. Lucie struggles against national benchmarks

St. Lucie County's composite score of 36.6 falls well below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the bottom quarter of U.S. counties. Multiple dimensions score below 50, signaling systemic livability challenges that residents and policymakers should address.

Below-average performance in Florida

St. Lucie's score of 36.6 lags significantly behind Florida's state average of 45.1, making it one of the weaker performers in the state. The county faces more livability challenges than most of its Florida peers.

Affordability is the silver lining

St. Lucie offers the most affordable housing in this group, with a cost score of 11.7, median rents of $1,489/month, and median home values of $305,800. These relatively lower costs provide some access for cost-conscious renters and first-time buyers.

Income, health, and safety all lag badly

The county struggles with a median household income of just $69,027 (income score 64.4), health score of 49.6, and safety score of 38.9. Tax burden is also elevated at 0.946%, squeezing household finances further.

Best for budget-conscious, independent adults

St. Lucie suits older adults or independent individuals prioritizing low housing costs over safety and health amenities. Families with children or those seeking robust community health and safety services should prioritize other Florida counties with stronger overall profiles.

Score breakdown

Tax42Cost11.7Safety38.9Health49.6Schools46.8Income64.4Risk3.9Water56.1Weather21.4
🏛42
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠11.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼64.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡38.9
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤49.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓46.8
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡3.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧56.1
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤21.4
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨39.7
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱29.6
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Martin County
Florida
41.6
Indian River County
Florida
45
Okeechobee County
Florida
31.6
Highlands County
Florida
48.5
Glades County
Florida
54.1
Palm Beach County
Florida
37.5
Brevard County
Florida
41.3
Osceola County
Florida
31.8

Deep Dives

St. Lucie County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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

Safety in St. Lucie County

via CrimeByCounty

St. Lucie Remains Safer Than National Average

With a safety score of 97.8, St. Lucie County provides a secure environment compared to the broader United States. The total crime rate of 1394.5 per 100,000 is significantly lower than the national figure of 2385.5.

Evaluating St. Lucie’s Florida Standing

St. Lucie’s safety score of 97.8 is just under the state average of 98.4. However, its violent crime rate of 271.0 is higher than the Florida average of 206.5, suggesting a need for localized awareness.

Competitive Safety Among Coastal Counties

St. Lucie maintains a lower total crime rate than Volusia County to the north, which reports 1594.3 per 100,000. Nine local agencies work to manage safety across the county's growing population.

Analyzing Violent vs Property Crime

The county sees 1123.5 property crimes per 100,000 people, roughly four times the violent crime rate of 271.0. This distribution is typical for Florida coastal communities where theft is the most common issue.

Deterring Property Crime in St. Lucie

Homeowners should prioritize securing outdoor belongings and installing alarm systems to deter property theft. Regular community watch participation can help address the slightly elevated violent crime rate in specific areas.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

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

Schools in St. Lucie County

via SchoolsByCounty

Fifty-Three Schools Serving the Treasure Coast

St. Lucie County operates 53 public schools, including 30 elementary, 4 middle, and 13 high schools. A single district manages the education of 47,121 students across the county. The infrastructure includes seven alternative schools to support diverse learning needs.

Strong Results and Competitive Funding

The graduation rate stands at 93.0%, outperforming the Florida state average of 89.8% and the national average of 87.0%. Per-pupil expenditure is $6,163, which is slightly above the state average of $6,118. These metrics contribute to a solid school score of 53.3, surpassing the national median.

Significant Charter School Presence

The St. Lucie district is the primary operator, overseeing 52 schools and 45,661 students. Charter schools play a major role here, representing 15.1% of all schools with 8 institutions active in the county. This variety offers parents multiple pathways and specialized curriculum choices for their children.

Urban Centers and Large High Schools

Schools are concentrated in city and suburban settings, with 24 and 20 schools respectively. Massive campuses define the high school experience, with Fort Pierce Central and Treasure Coast High each enrolling over 3,000 students. The average school size of 906 students reflects a system designed for a growing, modern population.

Growth and Opportunity in St. Lucie Schools

Strong academic performance and diverse school choices make St. Lucie County a rising star for families moving to the Treasure Coast. The high graduation rates and competitive school scores are key drivers for local property values. Consider homes near the top-rated magnet and high schools to benefit from the area's educational growth.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Weather & Climate in St. Lucie County

via WeatherByCounty

Tropical Warmth All Year

St. Lucie County averages 73.3°F, placing it among the warmest regions in the United States. Its proximity to the Atlantic keeps the air humid and the winters very mild.

Above the Florida Average

The county's average temperature of 73.3°F is over two degrees warmer than the state average of 71.1°F. It remains one of the more consistently warm counties in Florida.

Warm Winters Compared to Neighbors

St. Lucie has a winter average of 64.3°F, making it the warmest winter spot in this group. It also enjoys fewer extreme heat days than inland counties like Polk or Seminole.

Stable Temperatures Year-Round

The difference between summer (81.1°F) and winter (64.3°F) is less dramatic than in North Florida. Despite the high average temp, extreme heat over 90°F only occurs on 69 days.

Prepare for Constant Humidity

Outdoor lifestyles thrive here as extreme heat is limited to just 69 days annually. Use dehumidifiers to manage the 53.5 inches of annual rainfall and the persistent coastal moisture.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in St. Lucie County

via SoilByCounty

Higher pH levels in the Treasure Coast

St. Lucie County soil averages a pH of 5.43, which is significantly higher than the Florida state average of 4.88. While still acidic compared to the national 6.5 median, it is among the more balanced soils in the state. This makes it a prime location for various agricultural pursuits.

Heavy sand dominates the landscape

The soil is 83.2% sand, with 2.4% silt and 3.1% clay. This high sand percentage facilitates rapid drainage, which is vital during heavy Florida rainstorms. However, the low clay content means the soil lacks natural stickiness and structural strength.

Strong soil score with moderate water capacity

The county boasts a soil score of 39.7, well above the Florida average of 31.1. Organic matter is healthy at 8.46%, though the available water capacity of 0.093 in/in is lower than the state average of 0.108. Frequent irrigation may be necessary despite the good organic levels.

Efficient drainage for tropical storms

No specific drainage class is recorded, but the high sand content ensures water moves quickly through the profile. The 39.7 soil score indicates this land is high-performing for the region. This efficiency is a major asset for avoiding standing water in residential landscapes.

Year-round growing in zone 10a

The 10a hardiness zone allows for year-round growth of avocados, mangoes, and citrus. Because the pH is a relatively mild 5.43, you have more flexibility in plant selection than in other counties. Start your tropical orchard today in these high-performing soils.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in St. Lucie County

via LawnByCounty

Subtropical Success in St. Lucie

St. Lucie County holds a lawn difficulty score of 29.6, making it one of the more manageable regions in Florida compared to the state average of 19.2. Located in Zone 10a, your lawn experiences a tropical growth cycle with no true winter dormancy. While easier than much of the state, it still presents more challenges than the national median of 50.0.

Consistent Heat and Heavy Rains

Your lawn faces 69 days of extreme heat over 90°F, paired with 53.5 inches of annual rain. The high 8,527 growing degree days mean your grass grows rapidly for most of the year. This requires a consistent mowing schedule and vigilant weed management to keep the turf from becoming overgrown.

Managing High Sand Content

The soil is extremely sandy at 83.2%, which provides excellent drainage but poor nutrient retention. At a pH of 5.43, your soil is acidic and falls below the 6.0-7.0 ideal range for most grass species. Regular soil testing and targeted fertilization are necessary to prevent nutrient deficiencies in this fast-draining environment.

Severe Drought Challenges

Despite the high annual rain, the county has seen 25 weeks of drought this year, and 100.0% of the area currently faces severe drought (D2+). Sandy soils exacerbate these dry periods by allowing moisture to slip past the root zone. Focus on soil amendments that increase water retention to help your lawn weather these frequent dry spells.

Growing Year-Round in Zone 10a

St. Augustine and Zoysia are the preferred grass types for the heat and sandy conditions of Zone 10a. With the last frost usually passing by January 24, the planting window opens very early in the year. Start your lawn projects in late winter to give roots time to settle before the summer rainy season begins.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is St. Lucie County's county score?
St. Lucie County, Florida has a composite county score of 36.6 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 St. Lucie County rank among counties in Florida?
St. Lucie County ranks #52 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 St. Lucie County, Florida?
The median annual property tax in St. Lucie County is $2,893, with an effective tax rate of 0.95%. This earns St. Lucie County a tax score of 42/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in St. Lucie County?
The median household income in St. Lucie County, Florida is $69,027 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. St. Lucie County earns an income score of 64.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is St. Lucie County, Florida a good place to live?
St. Lucie County scores 36.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #52 in Florida. The best way to evaluate St. Lucie 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 St. Lucie County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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