Manatee
Florida

What stands out

Against every county in America, Manatee County is unusual in three ways: the average temperature is among the warmest in America (74°F), natural-hazard risk is in the top 2% of American counties (98 of 100), and winter sunshine is in the top 3% of American counties (2.0 on the USDA scale). Within Florida it ranks 19th of 67 counties for the average temperature.

Where you are

You live in Manatee County, Florida. 405,069 people live here with you. The population grew 2.8% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +11,300).

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 $71,385 a year, higher than 77% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $60,844. Unemployment runs 2.9%, lower than 71% of American counties. 13% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 23 minutes each way.

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

Home

The median home costs $409K, pricier than 87% of American counties, about 3.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,351 a month. Property tax is 0.82% of home value, roughly $2,657 a year on that median home, lower than 54% of American counties. 75% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 73% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 20 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 80.0 years, longer than 91% of American counties. There are 1,158 active physicians in the county, about 28.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 15.1% 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 70% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 23 points. 73% 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 74°F, highs near 85 and lows near 63, warmer than almost every county in America. About 40 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 50 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 305 Mbps down, faster than 96% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 5 breweries, 5 museums, 1 National Park Service site.