CountyScore

Suwannee County

Florida · FL

#19 in Florida
67.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Suwannee County, Florida

Suwannee ranks among nation's most livable

Suwannee County achieves a composite score of 75.4, the highest among these eight counties and 51% above the national median of 50.0. This exceptional performance places the county in the upper echelon of U.S. livability rankings.

Leading Florida's livability rankings

At 75.4, Suwannee County exceeds Florida's state average of 69.4 by 6.0 points, ranking it among the state's top-performing counties. The county stands out as a genuine livability leader within Florida.

Outstanding cost advantage and low taxes

Suwannee County boasts a cost score of 84.6 and median gross rent of just $849/month—the lowest in this group. The tax score of 81.8 and effective tax rate of 0.727% further cement this county as exceptionally affordable, with median home values of only $160,900.

Significantly lower household incomes

The income score of 19.6 reflects median household income of just $55,479, substantially below state and national medians. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions remain unavailable, preventing a complete livability assessment.

Perfect for budget-first retirees

Suwannee County is best suited for retirees, remote workers, and others with fixed or modest incomes who prioritize affordability above all else. The county's exceptional cost advantage makes it ideal for those stretching limited financial resources across housing and living expenses.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.8Cost84.6SafetyComing SoonHealth59.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.6Risk28.7WaterComing Soon
🏛81.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡28.7
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 Suwannee County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Shelby County
Alabama
67.5
Median income: $93,543
Kusilvak Census Area
Alaska
67.5
Median income: $48,233
Appling County
Georgia
67.5
Median income: $43,728
Baldwin County
Georgia
67.5
Median income: $55,413
Candler County
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67.5
Median income: $50,431

Deep Dives

Suwannee County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

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

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

ByCounty Network

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