RANK #763 / 1001 NAT · #30 / 41 FL · POP 97,859
1YR FORECAST: -0.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +15%
Fernandina Beach, on Amelia Island, stands out in Nassau County with its historic Victorian architecture and designation as the only place in the U.S. to have been governed under eight different flags. Located in the northeastern corner of Florida, Nassau County is about 25 miles from Jacksonville International Airport, offering a blend of coastal living and rural charm. The community maintains a small-town feel, with residents often appreciating the sense of connection and local events. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with miles of beaches on Amelia Island, kayaking and fishing opportunities in the St. Marys and Nassau Rivers, and extensive nature trails in areas like Four Creeks State Forest and Fort Clinch State Park.
Life in Nassau County appeals to families and retirees seeking a quieter pace. The public schools in Nassau County are highly rated, contributing to its appeal for families. While public transportation options exist, such as Nassau Transit and Nassau Express Select for commutes to Jacksonville, personal vehicles are generally necessary for most errands. The economy is experiencing growth, driven by tourism, manufacturing, and healthcare, with major investments flowing into industrial and commercial sectors. This development is bringing new businesses and amenities to the area.
Nassau County is one of 43 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +0.2% matches the profile's typical -0.0%.
See all 43 Sun Belt Exurban Boom counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 22.8x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Nassau County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
NextNRG Nassau County Data Center Campus & Smart Microgrid
NextNRG
|
$500M | Planned |
|
FPL Thomas Creek Solar Energy Center
Florida Power & Light (FPL)
|
$74M | Operating |
|
Nassau Solar Center
Florida Power & Light (FPL)
|
$74M | Operating |
|
Wildlight Development Natural Gas Infrastructure Expansion
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (Florida Public Utilities & Peninsula Pipeline Company)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Wildlight Master-Planned Community
Unknown
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 23/100, Nassau County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $89,804 combined with job growth of +1.1% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Nassau County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $382,800 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.23 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,526/month on average.
Nassau County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +3.4% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.1% clip. Home values shifted +0.2% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.06% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Nassau County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.