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St. Lucie County, FL

RANK #915 / 996  ·  POP 334,682  ·  FL

PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.9%

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

[01] Why St. Lucie County?

St. Lucie County, situated on Florida's Treasure Coast, is known for its extensive natural amenities, including 21 miles of Atlantic coastline and over 20,000 acres of public parks and preserves. Fort Pierce, the county seat, offers a historic downtown with cultural attractions like the Sunrise Theatre, while Port St. Lucie is recognized for its golf courses, including the PGA Village. The county is located about 60 miles north of West Palm Beach, with commutes to larger cities possible via I-95 and the Florida Turnpike. The community maintains a relaxed atmosphere, with opportunities for boating, fishing, kayaking, and exploring diverse ecosystems like the Savannas Preserve State Park.

Life in St. Lucie County appeals to families, retirees, and remote workers seeking a balance of outdoor activity and community. The public school system serves over 45,000 students across more than 50 schools, with a high school graduation rate of 91.5 percent in recent years. The local economy is diversifying, with growth in sectors such as manufacturing, distribution, and logistics. The county also offers public transportation through Area Regional Transit, including fixed bus routes and a micro-transit program for areas not on main routes, aiming to connect residents to employment and services.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
7.2x

Overvalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+1.8%

Below national median

Home Prices
-3.9%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
5.0

Favorable climate & terrain

Price/Rent
10x

Strong rental yield

Housing looks overvalued at 7.2x — home prices are high 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

St. Lucie County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
334,682
+3.11% YoY
Median Household Income
$66,154
Median Home Value
$275,900
-3.88% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,363
Average Annual Pay
$53,238
+3.7% YoY
Employment
90,334
+1.8% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2398
Near national average
Migration Inflow
3.77%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$380,500
Days on Market
87
Slower market
Months of Supply
7.7
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.5%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
7.6%
Listings w/ Price Drops
26.8%
Building Permits (2024)
4,869
Single-Family Permits
4,571

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

[05] Capital Investment

$14,495M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Sentinel Grove Technology Park (Proposed Data Center)
Timberline Real Estate Partners
$13,500M Proposed
FPL Solar Energy Center Portfolio (8 projects)
Florida Power & Light (FPL)
$745M Operating/Planned
Amazon Fulfillment Center (Port St. Lucie)
Amazon
$100M Operating
Amazon Delivery Station (Tradition)
Amazon
$50M Completed
Accel International Manufacturing Facility
Accel International
$50M Operating
Meyer Utility Structures Spun Concrete Plant
Meyer Utility Structures (subsidiary of Arcosa)
$50M Operating

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

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +1.8% 31 percentile
Population Growth +3.1% 96 percentile
Income Growth +10.6% 87 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.5% 23 percentile
Home Price Change -3.9% 5 percentile
Rent Growth +1.5% 26 percentile
Price/Rent 10x 90 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

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

St. Lucie County has a Boom Town Index score of 8/100, ranking #915 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.8% and a median household income of $66,154, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is St. Lucie County affordable?

The median home value in St. Lucie County is $275,900 with median rent at $1,363/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2398, which is less affordable than the national average.

Is St. Lucie County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +3.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.8%. Home values changed -3.9% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to St. Lucie County?

Yes — 3.77% of St. Lucie County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Escambia County, FL 18 Monterey County, CA 18 Arlington County, VA 18 Clallam County, WA 18 Mohave County, AZ 18 Cherokee County, GA 18 Baltimore city, MD 18 Henderson County, NC 18