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St. Johns County, FL

RANK #890 / 996  ·  POP 278,722  ·  FL

PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.5%

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

[01] Why St. Johns County?

St. Johns County, Florida, is perhaps best known for St. Augustine, the nation's oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement, with its historic district, cobblestone streets, and landmarks like the Castillo de San Marcos. Located on Florida's northeast Atlantic coast, just south of Jacksonville, the county offers a blend of historic charm and coastal living. Commuting to Jacksonville is feasible, with express bus services available. The community offers a relaxed, outdoor-focused lifestyle with access to 42 miles of beaches, the St. Johns River, and numerous parks and preserves like Anastasia State Park and the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, providing opportunities for kayaking, hiking, and birdwatching.

Life in St. Johns County often appeals to families and retirees, drawn by the highly-rated public school system and a variety of communities, including master-planned developments like Nocatee and coastal towns such as Ponte Vedra Beach. The economy is experiencing growth, with significant investment in residential and commercial development, as well as infrastructure. This expansion is supported by a growing workforce and a focus on sectors such as advanced manufacturing, health sciences, and business services. While the county has seen rapid population growth, efforts are underway to manage this expansion while preserving its natural environment.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
8.0x

Overvalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+3.8%

Above national median

Home Prices
-3.5%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
3.0

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
16x

Above national median (13x)

Housing looks overvalued at 8.0x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

St. Johns County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
278,722
+4.89% YoY
Median Household Income
$100,020
Median Home Value
$416,100
-3.5% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,601
Average Annual Pay
$60,008
+1.8% YoY
Employment
98,819
+2.9% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2404
Near national average
Migration Inflow
3.74%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$480,000
Days on Market
94
Slower market
Months of Supply
4.8
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.4%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
8.6%
Listings w/ Price Drops
24.5%
Building Permits (2024)
5,575
Single-Family Permits
4,915

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

[05] Capital Investment

$2,445M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
SilverLeaf Master-Planned Community
Various Developers
$1,000M Under Construction
St. Johns County Infrastructure Program
St. Johns County
$820M Under Construction
"Agrihood" Community Development
Robinson Improvement Co. (Freehold Communities)
$500M Proposed
Amazon Last-Mile Distribution Center
Amazon
$50M Operating
Broward's Corner Mixed-Use Redevelopment
Local Owners behind Broward's Liquor
$50M Proposed
County Road 16 Widening and Improvements
St. Johns County
$25M Under Construction

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

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +3.8% 69 percentile
Population Growth +4.9% 100 percentile
Income Growth +12.6% 97 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.2% 36 percentile
Home Price Change -3.5% 7 percentile
Rent Growth +0.6% 15 percentile
Price/Rent 16x 23 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is St. Johns County, FL a good place to move to?

St. Johns County has a Boom Town Index score of 11/100, ranking #890 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.9% and a median household income of $100,020, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is St. Johns County affordable?

The median home value in St. Johns County is $416,100 with median rent at $1,601/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2404, which is less affordable than the national average.

Is St. Johns County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +4.9% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.9%. Home values changed -3.5% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to St. Johns County?

Yes — 3.74% of St. Johns 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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