Escambia
Florida

What stands out

If you had to describe Escambia County in numbers, start here: natural-hazard risk is in the top 2% of American counties (98 of 100), home internet speed is in the top 5% of American counties (299 Mbps), and the overdose death rate is in the top 6% of American counties (39 per 100,000). Within Florida it ranks 15th of 67 counties for natural-hazard risk.

Where you are

You live in Escambia County, Florida. 321,296 people live here with you. The population grew 0.9% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +2,464).

Florida has no income tax and no estate tax, and its Save Our Homes cap limits assessed-value growth to 3% a year for homesteaded owners. The trade-off is insurance: home, wind and flood premiums are the highest in the country and several national carriers have left the market. The state has added more residents than any other since 2020.

Money

The typical household here brings in $61,642 a year, higher than 53% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $60,268. Unemployment runs 3.0%, lower than 64% of American counties. 12% of workers work from home.

Florida has no state income tax, so none of that goes to the state.

Home

The median home costs $282K, pricier than 65% of American counties, about 2.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,125 a month. Property tax is 0.63% of home value, roughly $1,301 a year on that median home, lower than 74% of American counties. 63% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 60% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 39 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 73.1 years, shorter than 80% of American counties. There are 1,253 active physicians in the county, about 39.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.7 of 5 stars. 12.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.10 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 63% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 24 points. 70% of eligible voters turned out. Under Florida law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 68°F, highs near 79 and lows near 58, warmer than 93% of American counties. About 53 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 98 out of 100, riskier than 98% of American counties; the county has had 40 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 299 Mbps down, faster than 95% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 4 breweries, 1 National Park Service site.