Skip to content
Submit

St. Johns County

FL · Pop. 292,243 · Mixed County

52/100Homestead Score

St. Johns County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Florida, spanning 601 square miles with 292,243 residents at a density of 486.3 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on cabbage, potatoes, corn. A median home price of $458,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.78% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 318-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.8°F and average winter lows of 47.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 49 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Flagler Hospital is 5.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.78%
Growing Season: 318 days
Broadband: 98.7%
Density: 486.3/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 318-day growing season in USDA zone 9b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.78% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Flagler Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • A median home price of $458,000 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

St. Johns County, FL is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
52/100
Median home price
$458k
Property tax
0.78%
Growing season
318 days (zone 9b)
Annual rainfall
49"
Broadband
98.7%
Nearest hospital
Flagler Hospital, 5.3 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.78%
Median Household Income$106,169
Poverty Rate6.7%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$458K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone9b
Growing Season318 days
Annual Rainfall49 inches
Avg Summer High89.8°F
Avg Winter Low47.9°F
Top CropsCabbage, Potatoes, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought4/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado9/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalFlagler Hospital (5.3 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage98.7%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in St. Johns County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in St. Johns County?
St. Johns County is in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 318-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.8°F, and average winter lows of 47.9°F. The established crops are cabbage, potatoes, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $458,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.78%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Flagler Hospital is 5.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

Explore Florida Resources

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

LandWatch

Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.

Browse Land Listings

Lands of America

The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.

Search Rural Properties

AcreTrader

Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.

Explore Farmland Investments

More counties in Florida

All Florida counties

Nearby counties

The closest counties to St. Johns County by distance, including across state lines.

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.