Nassau County
FL · Pop. 94,653 · Mixed County
Nassau County sits in Florida across 649 square miles, home to 94,653 people at 145.8 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, broccoli. A median home price of $351,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.73% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 281-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.9°F and average winter lows of 43.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 52.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. UF Health North is 11.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 281-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.73% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 93.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- UF Health North, with an emergency room, is just 11.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A median home price of $351,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Nassau County, FL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 63/100
- Median home price
- $351k
- Property tax
- 0.73%
- Growing season
- 281 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 52.4"
- Broadband
- 93.6%
- Nearest hospital
- UF Health North, 11.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Nassau County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Nassau County?
- Nassau County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 281-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.9°F, and average winter lows of 43.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, broccoli.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $351,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.73%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- UF Health North is 11.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Florida Resources
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More counties in Florida
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.