CountyScore

Sumter County

Florida · FL

#24 in Florida
66.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Sumter County, Florida

Sumter exceeds national average convincingly

Sumter County scores 70.2 on the CountyScore composite index, substantially above the national median of 50.0—a 40% advantage. This strong performance indicates the county offers livability fundamentals that exceed most of the nation.

Right at the heart of Florida's median

Sumter County scores 70.2, just slightly above Florida's state average of 69.4, ranking it among the state's better-performing counties. The county nearly matches the state's central tendency, reflecting middle-to-upper tier performance.

Exceptional affordability and low taxes

Sumter County shines with a cost score of 73.3 and median gross rent at just $1,225/month—among the lowest in this group. The tax score of 79.0 and effective tax rate of 0.826% further enhance affordability, making it attractive for retirees and budget-conscious households.

Modest incomes and incomplete data

The income score of 31.2 reflects median household income of $73,297, below state and national medians. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions remain unavailable, limiting full evaluation of quality of life.

Ideal for cost-conscious retirees

Sumter County appeals most to retirees and fixed-income families seeking maximum affordability without sacrificing reasonable incomes and low tax burden. The county offers an excellent balance of economic value and living costs for those in their later years.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79Cost73.3SafetyComing SoonHealth73.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.2Risk12.4WaterComing Soon
🏛79
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡12.4
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 Sumter County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Benton County
Arkansas
66.2
Median income: $89,879
Phillips County
Arkansas
66.2
Median income: $38,874
Carroll County
Georgia
66.2
Median income: $72,327
Plaquemines Parish
Louisiana
66.2
Median income: $82,874
Queen Anne's County
Maryland
66.2
Median income: $113,347

Deep Dives

Sumter County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sumter County

via TaxByCounty

Sumter's tax rate exceeds the national median

Sumter County's effective rate of 0.826% ranks above the national median, placing it in the higher bracket of American property tax counties. The median annual tax of $2,940 also surpasses the national median of $2,690, despite homes being valued near the national average at $356,000.

Sumter ranks well above Florida's average tax rate

At 0.826%, Sumter's effective rate exceeds Florida's statewide average of 0.731%, making it one of the state's pricier counties for property taxation. The median tax bill of $2,940 is 56% above Florida's median of $1,885, indicating a notably high burden for homeowners in the region.

Sumter taxes more than Seminole, less than St. Lucie

Sumter's 0.826% rate sits between Seminole County's 0.698% and St. Lucie County's 0.946%, reflecting a mid-to-high position among the region's tax burdens. In absolute dollars, Sumter's median bill of $2,940 is higher than Seminole's $2,493 despite comparable home values.

A $356,000 home costs about $2,940 yearly

The median Sumter home, valued at $356,000, incurs an annual property tax of $2,940. With mortgage taxes included, homeowners pay $3,055; without a mortgage, the bill drops to $2,864.

Sumter homeowners can challenge inflated valuations

Property tax appeals in Florida are free and often successful, especially in counties with aging or inaccurate assessments. Given Sumter's elevated tax rates, reviewing your property assessment could unlock meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sumter County

via CostByCounty

Sumter offers rare housing affordability

Sumter County's 20.1% rent-to-income ratio delivers affordability rarely seen nationwide, despite a median household income of $73,297—just below the national median of $74,755. At $1,225 in median rent, the county punches above its weight for budget-conscious relocators.

Among Florida's most affordable counties

Sumter's 20.1% rent-to-income ratio matches St. Johns—Florida's wealthiest county—and beats the state average of 22.5%. This achievement reflects the county's modest rental market, where $1,225 median rent aligns closely with the statewide median.

Comparable to rural northern neighbors

Sumter's $1,225 rent and 20.1% ratio mirror Suwannee ($849 rent, 18.4% ratio) and Union ($846 rent, 15.6% ratio) for affordability, though Sumter's rents run higher. All three offer far better value than Seminole, St. Johns, or Volusia counties.

Balanced costs across renter and owner

Renters pay $1,225 (20.1% of income) and homeowners pay $837 (13.7% of income), both well within affordability guidelines. The median home value of $356,000 surprises—nearly matching Seminole's despite much lower housing costs—suggesting strong equity for long-term residents.

Sumter welcomes middle-income movers

Households earning $70,000–$85,000 should seriously consider Sumter for its rare combination of affordability and home value. Retirees and remote workers especially benefit; those prioritizing walkable downtowns should explore Seminole or St. Johns instead.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sumter County

via IncomeByCounty

Sumter slightly below U.S. median

Sumter County's median household income of $73,297 comes in 2% below the U.S. median of $74,755. The county sits just shy of national parity, reflecting earnings typical of mid-tier American counties.

Above-average within Florida

At $73,297, Sumter County's median income exceeds Florida's state average of $65,468 by $7,829. The county ranks in the upper half of Florida's 67 counties, signaling stronger-than-average earning power.

Strong showing among neighbors

Sumter's $73,297 median income outpaces nearby Union County ($64,922) and trades closely with state benchmarks. The county earns less than the wealthier Seminole ($83,030) and St. Johns ($106,169) counties to the east.

Housing costs manageable

With a rent-to-income ratio of 20.1%, Sumter County keeps housing expenses well within the 30% comfort zone. A median home value of $356,000 remains affordable for households earning $73,297 annually.

Invest in Sumter's future

Sumter households averaging $73,297 have headroom to build wealth beyond mortgage payments. Focus on automating retirement contributions and exploring tax-advantaged savings vehicles to grow assets over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sumter County

via HealthByCounty

Sumter County life expectancy approaches national average

At 78.4 years, Sumter County residents live near the U.S. average of 76.4 years, though 14.9% report poor or fair health—slightly below the national rate of 17.3%. The county maintains moderate health outcomes across key indicators.

Slightly above Florida's health benchmarks

Sumter County's 78.4-year life expectancy exceeds Florida's 75.8-year average by 2.6 years, and its 10.7% uninsured rate beats the state's 14.4% average. These numbers suggest solid health security and outcomes for most residents.

Better coverage than some, similar health outcomes

Sumter County's uninsured rate of 10.7% is lower than Seminole's 11.5% and significantly lower than Suwannee's 15.7%, though its primary care access (44 per 100K) lags behind neighboring Seminole County. Life expectancy matches regional patterns for small, rural Florida counties.

Moderate primary care but limited mental health resources

Sumter County has 44 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents and only 63 mental health providers per 100,000—the lowest ratio among regional comparisons. With 10.7% uninsured, most residents have insurance, but provider scarcity may limit care options.

Ensure continuous coverage protects your health

Sumter County's 10.7% uninsured rate leaves nearly 11,000 residents vulnerable; those without coverage should explore Florida Medicaid, the ACA marketplace, or community health centers immediately. Annual re-enrollment prevents gaps that interrupt care continuity.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sumter County

via RiskByCounty

Sumter's risk exceeds U.S. baseline

Sumter County's composite risk score of 87.60 puts it in the "Relatively Moderate" category, notably above the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county faces consistent multi-hazard risk across wildfire, tornado, and hurricane threats.

Above Florida's average across hazards

At 87.60, Sumter's risk score exceeds Florida's state average of 75.74, driven by elevated wildfire (92.30), tornado (91.60), and hurricane (95.83) risks. The county's inland location makes wildfire and tornado particularly acute concerns relative to some coastal Florida counties.

Moderate risk in central corridor

Sumter's 87.60 score places it between Suwannee County (71.34) and Seminole County (91.44) in the risk spectrum. Its wildfire and tornado risks are notably higher than Suwannee's, reflecting central Florida's forested terrain and storm exposure.

Wildfires and tornadoes are acute

Wildfire risk reaches 92.30 in Sumter County, reflecting extensive forested acreage and dry season conditions, while tornado risk scores 91.60 from spring convective activity. Hurricane risk of 95.83, though the county is inland, demonstrates Florida's statewide exposure to tropical cyclone impacts.

Wildfire and storm-resistant upgrades pay

Sumter residents should clear vegetation 30+ feet around their homes to reduce wildfire risk and ensure homeowners insurance explicitly covers wind and hail damage. Consider metal roofing, impact-resistant windows, and maintaining a defensible space as part of a comprehensive wildfire mitigation strategy.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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