Palm Beach
Florida

What stands out

If you had to describe Palm Beach County in numbers, start here: the average temperature is among the warmest in America (76°F), natural-hazard risk is among the riskiest in America (100 of 100), and the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 3% of American counties ($1,668 a month). Within Florida it ranks 5th of 67 counties for the average temperature.

Where you are

You live in Palm Beach County, Florida. 1,494,805 people live here with you, which makes it one of the country's big urban counties. The population grew 0.9% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -162).

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 $76,066 a year, higher than 83% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $77,246. Unemployment runs 2.9%, lower than 69% of American counties. 12% 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 $471K, pricier than 92% of American counties, about 4.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,668 a month. Property tax is 0.91% of home value, roughly $3,362 a year on that median home, higher than 54% of American counties. 70% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 81% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 81.0 years, longer than 95% of American counties. There are 5,483 active physicians in the county, about 36.7 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.2 of 5 stars. 16.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.26 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 89% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted almost evenly. 74% 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 76°F, highs near 86 and lows near 67, warmer than almost every county in America. About 42 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 100 out of 100, riskier than almost every county in America; the county has had 41 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 287 Mbps down, faster than 91% of American counties. There are 12 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 8 breweries, 32 museums.