countyscore
33.9
County Score
Income & Jobs 61.9Water Quality 61.2Property Tax 53.8

County Report Card

About Volusia County, Florida

Volusia lags behind national median

Volusia County's composite score of 34.2 falls significantly below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the bottom quarter of U.S. counties. Multiple critical dimensions score poorly, indicating systemic livability challenges.

Well below Florida state average

Volusia's score of 34.2 trails Florida's state average of 45.1 by more than 10 points, making it one of the state's weaker performers. The county faces more livability constraints than most of its Florida peers.

Water quality is the only bright spot

Volusia's water score of 61.2 represents its strongest dimension, reflecting decent environmental management. Beyond water, the county struggles across most other livability categories.

Schools, safety, and affordability all weak

Volusia's school score of just 22.1 is among the state's lowest, while safety (32.2) and cost (16.4) scores lag significantly, with median home values at $278,000 straining local incomes. Health (48.6) and income (58.2) metrics also lag national and state benchmarks.

Limited appeal except as affordable destination

Volusia is a challenging county for most demographic groups, offering few livability advantages despite some affordable pockets. Families with children should prioritize counties with stronger schools and safety; those seeking quality of life should explore other Florida options with higher composite scores.

2040608010053.814.832.248.622.161.93.861.226.6Tax53.8Cost14.8Safety32.2Health48.6Schools22.1Income61.9Risk3.8Water61.2Weather26.633.9/100
This county
National avg
1 above average5 below average

Volusia County DNA

Foverall

How Volusia County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Volusia County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Disaster Risk (3.8/100), though Income (61.9/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
53.8
Cost
14.8-33.2
Safety
32.2-22.799999999999997
Health
48.6
Schools
22.1-31.9
Income
61.9+10.899999999999999
Risk
3.8-43.2
Water
61.2
Weather
26.6-29.4
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Compare mortgage rates in Volusia County

Whether buying or refinancing in Volusia County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$313,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,467/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$313,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$58,680/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $70,044/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

16.0

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Volusia County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Volusia County

via TaxByCounty

Volusia's tax rate exceeds the national median slightly

Volusia County's effective rate of 0.784% sits above the national median, placing it in the higher bracket of American property tax counties. The median annual tax of $2,179 falls below the national median of $2,690, since Volusia homes ($278,000) are valued slightly below the national average ($281,900).

Volusia ranks above Florida's average tax burden

At 0.784%, Volusia's effective rate exceeds Florida's statewide average of 0.731%, placing it among the state's pricier counties for property taxation. The median annual tax of $2,179 is 16% above the state median of $1,885, reflecting a moderately elevated burden for homeowners in the region.

Volusia taxes more than Seminole, similar to St. Johns

Volusia's 0.784% rate edges out Seminole County's 0.698% and nearly matches St. Johns County's 0.775%, reflecting a mid-to-high tax position. In absolute dollars, Volusia's median bill of $2,179 falls below both neighbors due to lower home valuations.

A $278,000 home costs about $2,179 yearly

The median Volusia home, valued at $278,000, incurs an annual property tax of $2,179. With mortgage taxes included, homeowners pay $2,378; without a mortgage, the bill drops to $1,875.

Volusia homeowners should review their assessments

Property tax appeals in Florida are free, and many Volusia homeowners discover their properties are overvalued. Given the county's moderately elevated tax rate, challenging your assessment could unlock meaningful annual savings.

Income & Jobs in Volusia County

via IncomeByCounty

Volusia slightly below U.S. median

Volusia County's median household income of $66,581 falls 11% short of the U.S. median of $74,755. The county sits modestly below national average earnings, reflecting a working-class and service-oriented economy.

Near Florida average earnings

Volusia County's $66,581 median income exceeds Florida's state average of $65,468 by just $1,113. The county ranks in the middle tier of Florida's 67 counties, reflecting earnings typical of the state overall.

Competitive with regional peers

Volusia's $66,581 median income runs just above St. Lucie County ($69,027) and ahead of Union County ($64,922). The county earns substantially less than nearby Seminole County ($83,030) and trails St. Johns County significantly.

Housing costs rising pressure

Volusia County's rent-to-income ratio of 24.7% sits near the 30% affordability limit, showing housing is becoming tighter relative to earnings. A median home value of $278,000 requires disciplined budgeting for median-earning households.

Smart savings essential

Volusia households earning $66,581 must balance housing costs with retirement savings by automating contributions and reducing discretionary spending. Long-term wealth building requires conscious choices about investment and debt management.

Safety in Volusia County

via CrimeByCounty

Volusia Stays Safer Than National Average

Volusia County maintains a safety score of 97.5, which is commendable compared to national figures. The total crime rate of 1594.3 per 100,000 is well below the national average of 2385.5.

Volusia Safety Compared to Florida Avg

The county’s safety score of 97.5 is slightly lower than the Florida average of 98.4. Its violent crime rate of 346.5 is higher than the state average of 206.5, reflecting challenges in its urban and tourist centers.

Safety Trends in the Coastal Region

Volusia has a higher crime rate than neighboring St. Johns (698.5) and Seminole (1527.2). With 23 reporting agencies, it has the most extensive law enforcement coverage in this regional group.

A Closer Look at Volusia Crime Types

Property crime is the primary concern here, with a rate of 1247.8 per 100,000 residents. Violent crime, while higher than the state average at 346.5, still represents a smaller portion of total activity.

Boosting Your Home Defense in Volusia

Given the higher rates of property crime, residents should invest in robust home security systems. Visible deterrents like signage and alarm systems are particularly effective in busier coastal neighborhoods.

Weather & Climate in Volusia County

via WeatherByCounty

Atlantic influence warms the air

Volusia’s 71.4°F average temperature is significantly warmer than the national median. The Atlantic influence creates a distinct coastal subtropical environment.

Slightly warmer than state average

At 71.4°F, the county is just above the Florida state average of 71.1°F. It is one of the warmer coastal counties in the central-east region.

Benefiting from coastal breezes

Volusia is warmer than inland Sumter (69.6°F) but benefits from coastal breezes that limit extreme heat. It receives 52.7 inches of rain, which is consistent with the surrounding coastal belt.

Fewer extreme heat days

Coastal winds keep extreme heat days to just 64 per year, far fewer than inland neighbors. Winters are the warmest in this group, averaging 60.4°F with no snow.

Home maintenance and mild winters

The mild 64 days of extreme heat make outdoor planning easier than in the Florida interior. Homeowners should focus on salt-air resistant materials and standard HVAC for the 52.7 inches of rain.

Soil Quality in Volusia County

via SoilByCounty

Mildly acidic soils of Volusia

Volusia County's soil pH averages 5.10, which is higher and less acidic than the state average of 4.88. Though still below the national median of 6.5, it offers a more hospitable environment for many common garden plants. This chemical profile is consistent across the county's varied landscape.

Sandy soil with moderate clay content

The composition is 83.5% sand, 2.0% silt, and 3.6% clay. This high sand content ensures good aeration and rapid drainage for coastal and inland areas alike. The 3.6% clay is slightly higher than some neighbors, providing a tiny boost to nutrient-holding capacity.

Solid organic matter and state-average capacity

Organic matter is strong at 9.50%, exceeding both the state average of 8.03% and the national average of 2.0%. The available water capacity is 0.106 in/in, which is very close to the state average of 0.108. These metrics result in a healthy soil score of 34.3.

Productive soils above the state average

With a soil score of 34.3, Volusia's land is rated higher than the Florida average of 31.1. No specific drainage class is recorded, but the sand-heavy profile suggests water moves through the ground quickly. This makes it generally well-suited for development and residential landscaping.

Ready for growth in zone 9b

In hardiness zone 9b, Volusia gardeners can grow everything from citrus to sweet potatoes. The 9.50% organic matter provides a wonderful base for building a high-yield backyard vegetable patch. Get outside and start planting in these above-average Florida soils.

Lawn Care in Volusia County

via LawnByCounty

Coastal Complexity in Volusia County

Volusia County holds a lawn difficulty score of 24.5, which is more favorable than the state average of 19.2. Located in Zone 9b, the county's coastal position helps moderate some of the extreme heat found further inland. However, gardeners still face significant hurdles compared to the national average of 50.0.

Coastal Breezes and Ample Rain

Volusia enjoys only 64 extreme heat days per year, which is much lower than the Florida state average of 92. The 52.7 inches of annual precipitation provides a steady supply of water, but the 7,891 growing degree days mean your lawn is growing fast. You will need to balance this growth with regular mowing to maintain a healthy turf height.

Amending the Sandy Coastal Base

Your soil is 83.5% sand, making it highly permeable and prone to nutrient leaching. With a pH of 5.10, the soil is acidic and requires lime to reach the 6.0-7.0 range that most lawns prefer. Because clay content is low at 3.6%, adding organic matter is the best way to help your soil hold onto water and fertilizers.

Managing Drought Along the Coast

Volusia County has experienced 28 weeks of drought over the past year, with 70.5% of the area currently in severe drought. These dry spells are tough on sandy soil, which doesn't store water effectively between rain events. Implementing a smart irrigation system can help ensure your lawn gets exactly what it needs without wasting water.

Success in Zone 9b

St. Augustine and Bahia grass are the most reliable choices for Volusia’s sandy, coastal conditions. Plan to start your planting after the final frost, which typically occurs around February 3. With a long growing season ahead, getting your grass established in the spring will help it survive the heat of summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Volusia County's county score?
Volusia County, Florida has a composite county score of 33.9 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 Volusia County rank among counties in Florida?
Volusia County ranks #59 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 Volusia County, Florida?
The median annual property tax in Volusia County is $2,395, with an effective tax rate of 0.77%. This earns Volusia County a tax score of 53.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Volusia County?
The median household income in Volusia County, Florida is $70,044 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Volusia County earns an income score of 61.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Volusia County, Florida a good place to live?
Volusia County scores 33.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #59 in Florida. The best way to evaluate Volusia 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 Volusia County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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