Volusia County

Florida · FL

#50 in Florida
61.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Volusia County, Florida

Volusia scores solidly above national norm

Volusia County scores 66.7 on the CountyScore composite index, 33% above the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates respectable livability fundamentals that exceed the typical U.S. county.

Slightly below Florida's strong average

At 66.7, Volusia County falls just below Florida's state average of 69.4 by 2.7 points, placing it in the solid middle range of the state's 67 counties. The county maintains respectable standing despite slight underperformance relative to state median.

Reasonable taxes and moderate housing costs

Volusia County offers a tax score of 80.2 and effective tax rate of 0.784%, alongside a cost score of 66.5. With median gross rent at $1,368/month and median home values of $278,000, the county provides balanced affordability for middle-income households.

Below-average incomes and incomplete data

The income score of 26.8 reflects median household income of $66,581, trailing both state and national medians. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions remain unavailable, limiting comprehensive livability evaluation.

Suitable for middle-income families

Volusia County appeals to middle-income families and individuals seeking balanced living costs with reasonable taxes and moderate housing values. The county offers a practical middle ground between affordability and economic opportunity without premium amenities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.2Cost66.5SafetyComing SoonHealth67.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.8Risk3.8WaterComing Soon
🏛80.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠66.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼26.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
67.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
3.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Volusia County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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.

Cost of Living in Volusia County

via CostByCounty

Volusia balances coastal access and affordability

Volusia County's 24.7% rent-to-income ratio reflects moderate affordability pressure, despite a median household income of $66,581 and median rents of $1,368. Residents earn slightly below the national median of $74,755, making higher rents a noticeable budget squeeze.

Slightly above average affordability strain

Volusia's 24.7% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Florida's state average of 22.5%, placing it among moderately strained counties. At $1,368, median rents run above the statewide median of $1,233, reflecting the county's appeal as a beach destination.

Pricier than rural counties, cheaper than St. Johns

Volusia's $1,368 median rent sits between coastal Seminole ($1,686) and rural Sumter ($1,225), positioning it as a mid-market option. The county's 24.7% affordability ratio mirrors Seminole (24.4%), despite slightly lower incomes.

Renter strain exceeds homeowner comfort

Renters pay $1,368 monthly (24.7% of income), while homeowners owe $1,105 (20%), showing sharper affordability stress for renters. The median home value of $278,000 remains accessible for those with modest down payments and stable incomes.

Volusia suits beach-loving homebuyers

Renters earning under $70,000 should consider moving inland to Sumter or Suwannee for lower housing costs. Homebuyers with $65,000+ household income may find Volusia's beach lifestyle and $278,000 median home price worth the affordability trade-off.

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.

Health in Volusia County

via HealthByCounty

Volusia County life expectancy near national average

At 75.0 years, Volusia County residents live near the U.S. average of 76.4 years, though 16.4% report poor or fair health—slightly below the national rate of 17.3%. The county maintains moderate health outcomes.

Below Florida's health benchmarks overall

Volusia County's 75.0-year life expectancy falls slightly below Florida's 75.8-year average, and its 12.8% uninsured rate beats the state's 14.4% average. The county shows mixed health indicators across different metrics.

Lower outcomes than wealthier regional counties

Volusia County residents live 6.0 years fewer than St. Johns County (81.0 years) and 4.1 years fewer than Seminole County (79.1 years). Its 12.8% uninsured rate is slightly lower than Seminole's 11.5%, indicating comparable coverage challenges persist.

Moderate provider access supports most residents

Volusia County has 68 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents and 176 mental health providers per 100,000, offering decent access for a Florida coastal county. With 12.8% uninsured, most residents can seek routine and preventive care.

Secure coverage to maintain your health trajectory

Volusia County's 12.8% uninsured rate represents roughly 40,000 residents without coverage; those without insurance should explore options through the Florida Health Insurance Marketplace or Medicaid. Annual enrollment ensures continuous protection for your health and financial security.

Disaster Risk in Volusia County

via RiskByCounty

Volusia ranks among America's riskiest

Volusia County's composite risk score of 96.22 places it in the "Relatively High" category, matching or exceeding risk in most American counties. This near-96 score reflects acute exposure across hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, and wildfire—a comprehensive hazard profile.

Second-highest risk in Florida

Volusia's 96.22 score substantially exceeds Florida's 75.74 state average and ranks as the state's second-riskiest county. Tornado risk of 98.28 is among Florida's highest, while hurricane risk of 98.46 reflects Atlantic exposure rivaling St. Lucie County.

Highest risk in eastern Florida

Volusia's 96.22 score substantially exceeds St. Johns County (87.53) and nearly matches St. Lucie County (96.06), making it the most hazard-prone in eastern Florida. Its tornado risk of 98.28 particularly distinguishes it from neighboring coastal counties.

Hurricanes and tornadoes are dual threats

Volusia faces hurricane risk of 98.46—the state's second-highest—and tornado risk of 98.28, making it a dual hotspot for severe wind events. Flooding also reaches 95.23, and wildfire risk of 96.28 reflects forested inland areas vulnerable to seasonal fire activity.

Comprehensive protection is imperative

Volusia homeowners must secure both homeowners insurance with wind/hail coverage and separate flood insurance through the NFIP or private providers, given the 95.23 flood risk. Install hurricane shutters, reinforce roof connections, maintain 30+ feet of vegetation clearance, and keep an updated evacuation plan given this county's extraordinary multi-hazard exposure.

ByCounty Network

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