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Leon County, FL

RANK #775 / 996  ·  POP 294,128  ·  FL

PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.4%

Leon County ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why Leon County?

Leon County, Florida, stands out for its rolling hills, a contrast to much of the state's flat terrain, and its numerous canopy roads, which offer scenic drives under arching trees. Located in the Florida Panhandle, with Tallahassee as its county seat and the state capital, the county is approximately halfway between Pensacola and St. Augustine. The community has a feel influenced by its role as a political center and home to Florida State University and Florida A&M University. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with over 700 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and paddling, alongside numerous parks and natural springs like Wakulla Springs State Park.

Life in Leon County offers a blend of urban amenities and access to natural spaces. The public school system is highly rated, with several elementary and middle schools receiving top rankings. Commute times average around 21.1 minutes, with many residents driving alone, though public transportation via StarMetro buses, carpooling, and biking are also options. The economy, while historically rooted in government and education due to the presence of the state capital and universities, is experiencing growth in other sectors. Recent economic developments show investment in commercial and residential projects, contributing to a diversifying job market.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.0x

Below national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+4.7%

Well above national median

Home Prices
-0.3%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
1.8

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
14x

Above national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 4.0x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Leon County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
294,128
+1.09% YoY
Median Household Income
$61,317
Median Home Value
$256,900
-0.29% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,157
Average Annual Pay
$61,906
+4.6% YoY
Employment
163,754
+2.8% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2387
Near national average
Migration Inflow
7.01%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$333,500
Days on Market
88
Slower market
Months of Supply
4.7
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.6%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
18.8%
Listings w/ Price Drops
17.8%
Building Permits (2024)
1,765
Single-Family Permits
768

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$1,194M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Pecan Prairie Solar Project
Repsol Renewables
$595M Planned
Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center
Amazon.com, Inc.
$200M Completed
Park Place PUD Concept Plan (Residential & Commercial)
Undisclosed
$150M Planned
Tallahassee-Leon County Infrastructure Projects (Penny Sales Tax)
Tallahassee-Leon County
$125M Under Construction
Tallahassee Solar Farms (I & II)
Origis Energy (for City of Tallahassee)
$62M Completed
Danfoss Turbocor Manufacturing Facility Expansion
Danfoss
$62M Completed

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +4.7% 81 percentile
Population Growth +1.1% 74 percentile
Income Growth +6.9% 16 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.4% 24 percentile
Home Price Change -0.3% 28 percentile
Rent Growth +1.9% 33 percentile
Price/Rent 14x 40 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Leon County, FL a good place to move to?

Leon County has a Boom Town Index score of 22/100, ranking #775 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.8% and a median household income of $61,317, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Leon County affordable?

The median home value in Leon County is $256,900 with median rent at $1,157/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2387, which is less affordable than the national average.

Is Leon County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +1.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.8%. Home values changed -0.3% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Leon County?

Yes — 7.01% of Leon County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Coconino County, AZ 32 Madera County, CA 32 Barrow County, GA 32 Tehama County, CA 32 Liberty County, TX 32 Webb County, TX 32 Pierce County, WA 32 Hennepin County, MN 32