St. Augustine
RANK #791 / 996 NAT · #22 / 41 FL · POP 278,722
1YR FORECAST: -0.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +16%
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.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| 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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 20/100, St. Johns County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $100,020 combined with job growth of +2.9% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
St. Johns County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $416,100 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.24 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,601/month on average.
St. Johns County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +4.9% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.9% clip. Home values shifted -3.5% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.74% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests St. Johns County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.