Santa Rosa
Florida

What stands out

What stands out about Santa Rosa County: population growth is in the top 4% of American counties (+2.5% a year), the school test score is in the top 5% of American counties (3.47 where 3.0 is grade level), and natural-hazard risk is in the top 5% of American counties (96 of 100). Within Florida it ranks 26th of 67 counties for population growth.

Where you are

You live in Santa Rosa County, Florida. 188,994 people live here with you. The population grew 2.5% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +4,703).

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 $84,715 a year, higher than 91% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $51,217. Unemployment runs 2.7%, lower than 76% of American counties. 11% of workers work from home.

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

Home

The median home costs $352K, pricier than 79% of American counties, about 2.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,130 a month. Property tax is 0.62% of home value, roughly $1,698 a year on that median home, lower than 74% of American counties. 78% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 61% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 14 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.8 years, longer than 61% of American counties. There are 260 active physicians in the county, about 13.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 9.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.43 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 95% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 54 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 78% 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 52 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 96 out of 100, riskier than 95% of American counties; the county has had 43 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 292 Mbps down, faster than 93% of American counties. There are 15 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.