Gilchrist
Florida

What stands out

If you had to describe Gilchrist County in numbers, start here: the school test score is in the top 2% of American counties (3.59 where 3.0 is grade level), population growth is in the top 3% of American counties (+3.1% a year), and the average temperature is in the top 4% of American counties (70°F). Within Florida it ranks 3rd of 67 counties for the school test score.

Where you are

You live in Gilchrist County, Florida. 18,070 people live here with you. The population grew 3.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +575).

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 $56,823 a year, lower than 62% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $46,829. Unemployment runs 3.0%, lower than 65% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home.

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

Home

The median home costs $308K, pricier than 71% of American counties, about 2.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $705 a month. Property tax is 0.73% of home value, roughly $1,212 a year on that median home, lower than 62% of American counties. 83% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 72% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 26 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 75.6 years, shorter than 52% of American counties. There are 13 active physicians in the county, about 7.2 per 10,000 people. 14.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.44 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 98% of American counties. 86% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 67 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 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 70°F, highs near 82 and lows near 58, warmer than 96% of American counties. About 47 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 49 out of 100, safer than 51% of American counties; the county has had 37 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 283 Mbps down, faster than 90% of American counties. There are 8 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.