countyscore
56.2
County Score
Safety 97.5Cost of Living 70.4Property Tax 60.1

County Report Card

About Suwannee County, Florida

Suwannee outperforms national median

Suwannee County's composite score of 56.2 sits above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top half of U.S. counties. However, this score masks a deeply uneven profile—exceptional in some dimensions, weak in others.

Above-average within Florida

Suwannee scores 56.2 compared to Florida's state average of 45.1, making it an above-average performer within the state. The county demonstrates livability strengths that distinguish it from typical Florida counties.

Safety and affordability are exceptional

Suwannee boasts an outstanding safety score of 97.5, the highest in this group, plus exceptional affordability with median rents of just $849/month and median home values of $160,900. The cost score of 70.4 reflects some of Florida's most accessible housing.

Income and health outcomes severely lag

The county's income score of 26.4 with a median household income of only $55,479 reflects economic hardship, while the health score of 26.0 signals significant public health challenges. School performance at 33.2 also indicates educational gaps.

Suited for retirees on limited budgets

Suwannee works best for retirees or remote workers with independent income, seeking extremely low housing costs and a very safe community. Families concerned about job opportunities, health care quality, or schools should look to more balanced Florida counties.

Score breakdown

Tax60.1Cost70.4Safety97.5Health26Schools33.2Income26.4Risk28.7Water58.6Weather15.8
🏛60.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠70.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡97.5
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤26
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓33.2
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡28.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧58.6
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤15.8
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨25.7
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱20.1
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

Lafayette County
Florida
62.9
Columbia County
Florida
44.2
Hamilton County
Florida
43.3
Gilchrist County
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Madison County
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Taylor County
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Union County
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Echols County
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Deep Dives

Suwannee County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Suwannee County

via TaxByCounty

Suwannee's tax burden falls well below national average

Suwannee County's effective rate of 0.727% aligns closely with the national median, but its median tax bill of just $1,169 is 57% lower than the national median of $2,690. The difference reflects Suwannee's lower home valuations ($160,900 vs. the national $281,900), offsetting its slightly elevated tax rate.

Suwannee's taxes are among Florida's most affordable

At 0.727%, Suwannee's effective rate nearly matches Florida's 0.731% statewide average, but its median annual tax of $1,169 is 38% below the state median of $1,885. Suwannee homeowners enjoy some of Florida's lowest absolute tax bills due to more modest home values in this rural north-central region.

Suwannee taxes less than Union County on similar homes

Suwannee's 0.727% rate is higher than Union County's 0.580%, but Suwannee's median bill of $1,169 beats Union's $931 due to slightly higher home values. Both counties remain among Florida's most tax-friendly regions for homeowners.

A $160,900 home costs about $1,169 yearly

The median Suwannee home, valued at $160,900, incurs an annual property tax of $1,169. With mortgage taxes included, homeowners pay $1,425; without a mortgage, the bill drops to $1,000.

Even modest Suwannee homes may be overassessed

Property tax appeals are free in Florida, and assessment errors affect homeowners at all price points. If you believe your Suwannee home is valued above its fair market value, filing an appeal could reduce your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Suwannee County

via CostByCounty

Suwannee offers deep affordability discounts

Suwannee County's 18.4% rent-to-income ratio stands among the nation's most affordable, with median rents of just $849 against a median household income of $55,479. Housing here consumes far less of paychecks than national norms, making it ideal for cost-conscious relocators.

Florida's affordability champion

Suwannee's 18.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks as one of Florida's lowest, falling well below the state average of 22.5%. With median rent of $849—far below the statewide median of $1,233—the county offers unmatched affordability across the state.

Beats rural peers on rent, matches on ratio

Suwannee's $849 rent undercuts Union ($846) and Taylor ($878) slightly, while its 18.4% ratio edges out Union's 15.6% due to lower incomes. All three northern counties offer exceptional value compared to coastal alternatives.

Rock-bottom housing across the board

Renters pay $849 monthly (18.4% of income) and homeowners just $557 (12% of income), among the lowest absolute costs statewide. The median home value of $160,900 makes homeownership genuinely accessible for first-time buyers.

Suwannee for budget-first relocators

If your household earns under $60,000 and housing affordability is paramount, Suwannee ranks as Florida's most welcoming county. Remote workers, retirees, and downsizers should prioritize this unbeatable combination of low costs and rural charm.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Suwannee County

via IncomeByCounty

Suwannee significantly below national

Suwannee County's median household income of $55,479 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 26%. The county faces real earnings challenges compared to national averages, requiring households to stretch budgets further.

Lower-income Florida county

Suwannee County's $55,479 median income runs $9,989 below Florida's state average of $65,468, placing it in the lower third of the state's 67 counties. Per capita income of $26,484 also falls significantly below state norms.

Struggles against region

Suwannee's $55,479 median income lags all nearby comparables, including Union County ($64,922) and Sumter County ($73,297). The county's earnings gap reflects limited access to high-wage employment opportunities.

Rents are relative bargain

Suwannee's rent-to-income ratio of just 18.4% offers relief, with housing costs low relative to earnings. A median home value of $160,900 means housing remains affordable, though lower median incomes limit overall buying power.

Every dollar counts here

Suwannee households earning $55,479 should prioritize building emergency reserves and eliminating high-interest debt before investing. Even small contributions to retirement accounts yield meaningful growth over decades of compounding.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Suwannee County

via CrimeByCounty

Suwannee Reports Low Crime Levels

Suwannee County currently shows a safety score of 100.0, though this is based on limited reported data for the cycle. The recorded crime rate of 0.0 per 100,000 indicates a significant lack of reported incidents to national databases.

Data Gaps in State Reporting

While Florida's average crime rate is 1027.9, Suwannee's reported rate of 0.0 suggests that its 8 reporting agencies may not have submitted full data. Residents should look to historical local trends for a clearer picture of safety.

Comparing Reported Data to Neighbors

Suwannee appears safer on paper than Taylor County, which reports a crime rate of 354.8. However, the lack of data makes direct comparisons difficult for the 2022 period.

Interpreting Zero Crime Statistics

The reporting of zero violent and property crimes likely reflects a documentation gap rather than the total absence of crime. Local law enforcement continues to operate across the county despite the lack of centralized data.

Staying Vigilant Despite Data Gaps

Because official data is currently limited, homeowners should follow standard safety protocols like installing high-quality locks. Maintaining good relationships with neighbors is the best way to monitor local safety trends.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Suwannee County

via HealthByCounty

Suwannee County faces severe health disparities

At 72.9 years, Suwannee County's life expectancy is nearly 3.5 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With 20.5% of residents reporting poor or fair health—far above the national 17.3% average—the county confronts serious health challenges.

Among Florida's weakest health outcomes

Suwannee County's 72.9-year life expectancy trails Florida's 75.8-year average by 2.9 years, and its 15.7% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 14.4%. The county ranks among Florida's bottom performers on health and coverage metrics.

Significantly worse health than all regional peers

Suwannee County residents live 6.2 years fewer than St. Johns County (81.0 years) and 5.5 years fewer than Seminole County (79.1 years). Its 15.7% uninsured rate is the highest among neighboring counties, compounding access barriers.

Severe shortage of healthcare providers

Suwannee County has only 14 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents—one of Florida's lowest densities—and 80 mental health providers per 100,000. Combined with 15.7% uninsured, residents face critical gaps accessing basic healthcare services.

Getting covered is urgent in Suwannee County

With 15.7% uninsured and severe provider shortages, Suwannee County residents without coverage must act immediately: call 211 or visit FloridaHealthFinder.gov to apply for Medicaid, ACA insurance, or charity care programs. Coverage is your critical first step toward better health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Suwannee County

via SchoolsByCounty

Thirteen Schools Serving a Close-Knit Community

Suwannee County operates 13 public schools, which includes four elementary, one middle, and three high schools. A single district manages the education of 5,935 students across the county. The infrastructure also includes specialized alternative and special education facilities.

High Graduation Rates Beat State Benchmarks

Suwannee boasts a 91.0% graduation rate, outperforming both the Florida average and the national 87.0% benchmark. This success comes despite a per-pupil expenditure of $5,714, which is lower than the state average. The school score of 51.3 remains competitive with the statewide average of 51.5.

A Traditional Single-District System

The Suwannee district serves all 5,935 students in the county without any charter school presence. This traditional structure ensures all public funding stays within the main district schools. The county focuses its resources on a small number of well-established campuses.

Town-Centered Learning with Small Class Sizes

Suwannee's schools are primarily located in town settings, with 11 schools serving these central communities. Suwannee High School is the largest campus with 1,177 students, but the overall average school size is a manageable 540 students. This creates a personal learning environment where students and teachers are often well-acquainted.

Settle in a Community That Values Results

Suwannee County offers a high graduation rate and a supportive, town-focused school environment. Families looking for a traditional educational setting with strong student outcomes will find great value here. Research homes in Live Oak or Branford to be near the county's primary educational hubs.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Suwannee County

via RiskByCounty

Suwannee's risk remains elevated

Despite a "Relatively Low" rating, Suwannee County's composite risk score of 71.34 still exceeds the typical U.S. county's baseline hazard exposure. Hurricane and wildfire risks remain meaningful concerns even as the county's overall profile is more favorable than many peers.

Below Florida's elevated state average

Suwannee's 71.34 score falls modestly below Florida's 75.74 state average, making it one of the state's lower-risk counties. Its tornado risk of 51.72 is particularly low compared to statewide patterns, though hurricane and wildfire exposure remain present.

More favorable than inland neighbors

Suwannee's 71.34 risk score is notably lower than Seminole County (91.44) and Sumter County (87.60), though it exceeds Union County (10.88). The county's more northern location provides some tornado and hurricane relief versus central Florida's highest-risk zones.

Hurricanes and wildfires are primary hazards

Hurricane risk scores 93.37 in Suwannee, indicating significant exposure despite the county's relatively low overall composite score. Wildfire risk reaches 81.87, reflecting forested terrain and seasonal fire conditions, while tornado risk is comparatively modest at 51.72.

Standard coverage meets Suwannee needs

Suwannee homeowners should secure basic homeowners insurance with wind and hail coverage, plus flood insurance if in a mapped risk zone. Maintain vegetation clearance around your home and a basic emergency kit, as the county's overall risk profile is more manageable than Florida's coastal hotspots.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Suwannee County

via WeatherByCounty

Strong southern warmth year-round

Suwannee County averages 71.2°F, nearly 20 degrees warmer than the national median temperature. This subtropical environment delivers consistent warmth throughout the year.

Matching the Florida state average

The county's 71.2°F average matches the Florida state average of 71.1°F almost perfectly. It represents the quintessential North Florida climate.

Hotter than northern neighbors

Suwannee is warmer than northern neighbor Taylor (69.1°F) and faces more extreme heat. It receives 51.9 inches of rain, which is slightly below the state average of 54.8 inches.

Intense summer heat peaks

Summer heat is intense with a whopping 116 days reaching 90°F or higher. Winters stay comfortable with a 58.4°F average and zero recorded snowfall.

Hydration and drainage are key

Residents must prepare for nearly four months of extreme heat by maintaining cooling systems and staying hydrated. The 51.9 inches of annual rain suggest a need for reliable drainage during summer thunderstorms.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Suwannee County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic soils of the northern panhandle

Suwannee County has an average soil pH of 5.03, which is slightly less acidic than the state average of 4.88. Like most of Florida, it remains far below the national median of 6.5. This acidity is a defining characteristic of the local terrestrial ecosystem.

Extremely sandy soil textures

At 89.3% sand, this is one of the sandiest counties in the region. With only 3.5% silt and 3.0% clay, the soil is very porous and has minimal structure. This composition leads to very fast drainage and requires careful nutrient management.

Lower organic matter and water capacity

Organic matter is lower here at 4.23%, which is about half the state average of 8.03%. Consequently, the available water capacity is just 0.078 in/in, falling well below the state average of 0.108. The resulting soil score is 25.7, indicating a need for soil building.

Fast-draining soils with low retention

Specific drainage classes are not provided, but the nearly 90% sand content implies very high permeability. A low water capacity of 0.078 means plants may stress quickly during a drought. This soil is excellent for building sites but requires heavy irrigation for agriculture.

Gardening in hardiness zone 9a

Suwannee County sits in zone 9a, allowing for a mix of temperate and subtropical plants. Since organic matter is low, you should focus on adding compost and mulch to help your garden thrive. Native plants like Saw Palmetto or Coontie are excellent choices for these sandy conditions.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Suwannee County

via LawnByCounty

North Florida Lawn Challenges

Suwannee County scores a 20.1 on the lawn difficulty scale, placing it slightly above the Florida average of 19.2. As part of Zone 9a, the county experiences more distinct seasonal changes than southern Florida, but remains far more difficult than the national average. Homeowners here face a unique blend of high heat and rapid drainage.

Intense Heat and Moderate Rainfall

With 116 extreme heat days annually, Suwannee is significantly hotter than the state average of 92 days. The 51.9 inches of annual precipitation is near the top of the ideal range, but the intense heat can quickly dry out the landscape. Lawns here require constant monitoring to balance irrigation with the 7,858 growing degree days.

Extremely Sandy Suwannee Soils

At 89.3% sand, Suwannee County has some of the highest sand content in the state, meaning soil holds very little water. The pH of 5.03 is quite acidic, requiring amendments to reach the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for healthy grass growth. Without adding clay or organic matter, your fertilizer will likely wash away before the grass can use it.

Facing Total Severe Drought

The county is currently 100.0% covered by severe drought conditions, following 28 weeks of drought in the past year. In such sandy soil, these conditions are critical and can lead to total lawn dormancy or death. Implement strict water conservation by using mulch in garden beds and ensuring your irrigation system is leak-free.

Starting Fresh in Zone 9a

Centipede and Bermuda grass are excellent choices for Suwannee’s sandy soil and Zone 9a climate. Your target start date for planting is after February 20, once the risk of spring frost has largely passed. With a long growing season ahead, early spring is the best time to establish a deep root system.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Suwannee County's county score?
Suwannee County, Florida has a composite county score of 56.2 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 Suwannee County rank among counties in Florida?
Suwannee County ranks #7 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 Suwannee County, Florida?
The median annual property tax in Suwannee County is $1,169, with an effective tax rate of 0.73%. This earns Suwannee County a tax score of 60.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Suwannee County?
The median household income in Suwannee County, Florida is $55,479 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Suwannee County earns an income score of 26.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Suwannee County, Florida a good place to live?
Suwannee County scores 56.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #7 in Florida. The best way to evaluate Suwannee 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 Suwannee 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.