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Palm Beach County, FL

RANK #896 / 996  ·  POP 1,494,805  ·  FL

PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.6%

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

[01] Why Palm Beach County?

Palm Beach County, Florida, is often recognized for its distinctive coastal towns, such as Palm Beach, known for its historic estates and upscale shopping along Worth Avenue, and Jupiter, a popular spot for families and celebrities. Located on Florida's southeastern coast, the county is part of the Miami metropolitan area and is approximately 46 miles north of Fort Lauderdale and 73 miles north of Miami. The community offers a blend of urban centers and natural landscapes, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Everglades. Residents and visitors have access to 47 miles of beaches, as well as numerous parks and nature preserves like Green Cay Nature Center and Okeeheelee Park, which provide opportunities for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing. The climate allows for year-round outdoor recreation. Commute options include Palm Tran bus services, Tri-Rail, and the high-speed Brightline train, connecting to other South Florida cities.

Life in Palm Beach County attracts a mix of young professionals, families, and retirees, drawn by the outdoor environment and diverse communities. The School District of Palm Beach County is one of the largest in the nation and Florida, with highly rated public schools. The economy has experienced growth, with significant investment in commercial and residential development. While specific projects are numerous, broad sectors like finance, technology, healthcare, and logistics contribute to the area's economic landscape. The county's population has expanded, with notable growth in younger demographics, contributing to a dynamic environment.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
5.0x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+2.0%

Below national median

Home Prices
-4.3%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
5.1

Favorable climate & terrain

Price/Rent
12x

Strong rental yield

Housing is fairly valued at 5.0x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Palm Beach County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
1,494,805
+0.92% YoY
Median Household Income
$76,066
Median Home Value
$368,300
-4.31% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,700
Average Annual Pay
$77,246
+3.2% YoY
Employment
666,889
+1.3% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2065
Near national average
Migration Inflow
2.09%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$530,000
Days on Market
93
Slower market
Months of Supply
7.7
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
94.9%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
5.1%
Listings w/ Price Drops
24.5%
Building Permits (2024)
4,089
Single-Family Permits
2,897

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

[05] Capital Investment

$2,648M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Project Tango AI Data Center Campus
PBA Holdings (Palm Beach Aggregates & Phillips Inc.)
$1,000M Proposed
Renewable Energy Facility 2 (Waste-to-Energy)
Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County
$600M Operating
Avenir Master-Planned Community
Various (DiVosta, Toll Brothers, Kenco Communities)
$500M Under Construction
FPL Solar Energy Centers (Holopaw, Silver Palm, Sabal Palm, Hibiscus)
Florida Power & Light Co.
$298M Operating
Singer Island Gateway
Continuum Company
$150M Proposed
Central Park Commerce Center (Warehouse component)
WPB Logistics Owner LLC (TPA Group)
$100M Under Construction

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

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +2.0% 34 percentile
Population Growth +0.9% 69 percentile
Income Growth +10.4% 85 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.3% 29 percentile
Home Price Change -4.3% 4 percentile
Rent Growth +1.7% 29 percentile
Price/Rent 12x 70 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Palm Beach County, FL a good place to move to?

Palm Beach County has a Boom Town Index score of 10/100, ranking #896 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.3% and a median household income of $76,066, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Palm Beach County affordable?

The median home value in Palm Beach County is $368,300 with median rent at $1,700/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2065, which is less affordable than the national average.

Is Palm Beach County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.9% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.3%. Home values changed -4.3% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Palm Beach County?

Yes — 2.09% of Palm Beach County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

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