🐊 These are the best counties in Florida

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#30. Flagler County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 718
- Population: 117,515
- Median household income: $69,251
- Median home value: $293,700 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,561 (21% rent)
- Top public schools: Old Kings Elementary School (grade A minus), Belle Terre Elementary School (grade B+), Indian Trails Middle School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: First Baptist Christian Academy (grade B minus), Christ the King Lutheran School (grade unavailable), St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Flagler Beach (grade B+), Palm Coast (grade B+), Bunnell (grade B)

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#29. Bay County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 680
- Population: 181,055
- Median household income: $65,999
- Median home value: $246,800 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,311 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: Rising Leaders Academy (grade A+), North Bay Haven Charter Academy High School (grade A), University Academy (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Covenant Christian School (grade A minus), Panama City Advanced School (grade B), Holy Nativity Episcopal School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Lynn Haven (grade A minus), Upper Grand Lagoon (grade A minus), Lower Grand Lagoon (grade A minus)

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#28. Pasco County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 674
- Population: 569,211
- Median household income: $63,187
- Median home value: $233,600 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,282 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: James W. Mitchell High School (grade A), Land O' Lakes High School (grade A), Wiregrass Ranch High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Academy at the Lakes (grade A+), Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School (grade A), Genesis Preparatory School (grade A)
- Top places: Wesley Chapel (grade A+), Odessa (grade A), Trinity (grade A)

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#27. Lafayette County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 610
- Population: 8,107
- Median household income: $57,852
- Median home value: $118,600 (81% own)
- Median rent: $853 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Lafayette High School (grade A minus), Lafayette Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Lighthouse Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Mayo (grade B+)

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#26. Walton County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 601
- Population: 76,618
- Median household income: $74,832
- Median home value: $327,000 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,463 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Freeport Senior High School (grade A minus), Van R. Butler Elementary School (grade A minus), Emerald Coast Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Ohana Institute (grade A+), Gateway Academy (grade unavailable), SOUTH WALTON ACADEMY (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Miramar Beach (grade A minus), DeFuniak Springs (grade B+), Freeport (grade B)

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#25. Sumter County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 594
- Population: 131,832
- Median household income: $70,105
- Median home value: $324,400 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,185 (13% rent)
- Top public schools: Villages Charter School (grade A), Lake Panasoffkee Elementary School (grade B+), Bushnell Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Maranatha Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Bushnell (grade B+), Lake Panasoffkee (grade B), The Villages (grade B)

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#24. Collier County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 538
- Population: 380,221
- Median household income: $82,011
- Median home value: $443,700 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,599 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Marco Island Academy (grade A), Gulf Coast High School (grade A), Pelican Marsh Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Community School of Naples (grade A+), St. John Neumann Catholic High School (grade A+), ES International School - Florida (grade A+)
- Top places: Naples (grade A), Pelican Bay (grade A), Vineyards (grade A)

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#23. Jackson County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 526
- Population: 47,704
- Median household income: $46,144
- Median home value: $113,300 (74% own)
- Median rent: $756 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Malone High School (grade A), Cottondale High School (grade A), Sneads Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Dayspring Christian Academy (grade B minus), Victory Christian Academy (grade unavailable), The Master's Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Graceville (grade B+), Marianna (grade B), Greenwood (grade A minus)

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#22. Manatee County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 504
- Population: 405,069
- Median household income: $71,385
- Median home value: $323,900 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,418 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: State College of Florida Collegiate School - Bradenton (grade A+), Palmetto Charter School (grade A minus), Rowlett Middle Academy (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: IMG Academy (grade A+), Saint Stephen's Episcopal School (grade A+), Edison Academics (grade A minus)
- Top places: Holmes Beach (grade A minus), Whitfield (grade B+), West Bradenton (grade B+)

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#21. Santa Rosa County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 503
- Population: 188,994
- Median household income: $84,715
- Median home value: $272,500 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,386 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Gulf Breeze High School (grade A), Gulf Breeze Elementary School (grade A minus), Gulf Breeze Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Lighthouse Private Christian Academy (grade A minus), West Florida Baptist Academy (grade B), Santa Rosa Christian School (grade C)
- Top places: Gulf Breeze (grade A+), Tiger Point (grade A), Oriole Beach (grade A)

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#20. Lee County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 494
- Population: 772,902
- Median household income: $69,368
- Median home value: $290,900 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,466 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Florida Southwestern Collegiate High School - Lee Campus (grade A+), Fort Myers High School (grade A+), North Fort Myers High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Canterbury School (grade A+), Bishop Verot Catholic High School (grade A+), Southwest Florida Christian Academy (grade A)
- Top places: Sanibel (grade A), Estero (grade A), Gateway (grade A)

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#19. Clay County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 466
- Population: 219,650
- Median household income: $82,242
- Median home value: $254,500 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,372 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Fleming Island High School (grade A), Orange Park Elementary School (grade A), Fleming Island Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Johns Country Day School (grade A+), Calvary Christian Academy (grade B+), Christian Home Academy (grade B minus)
- Top places: Fleming Island (grade A+), Oakleaf Plantation (grade A), Orange Park (grade A)

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#18. Monroe County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 415
- Population: 82,044
- Median household income: $80,111
- Median home value: $696,900 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,919 (38% rent)
- Top public schools: Treasure Village Montessori Charter School (grade A minus), Coral Shores High School (grade A minus), Big Pine Academy (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Basilica School of Saint Mary Star of the Sea (grade unavailable), Montessori Children's School of Key West (grade unavailable), Grace Lutheran School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Key West (grade A minus), Key Largo (grade A minus), Marathon (grade A minus)

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#17. Escambia County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 388
- Population: 321,296
- Median household income: $61,642
- Median home value: $206,400 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,170 (37% rent)
- Top public schools: West Florida High School of Advanced Technology (grade A), Pensacola Beach Charter School (grade A minus), A.K. Suter Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Trinitas Christian School (grade A minus), Pensacola Catholic High School (grade B+), East Hill Christian School (grade B)
- Top places: Pensacola (grade A minus), Ferry Pass (grade A minus), Gonzalez (grade B+)

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#16. Broward County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 356
- Population: 1,940,907
- Median household income: $70,331
- Median home value: $348,600 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,683 (37% rent)
- Top public schools: The College Academy at Broward College (grade A+), Cypress Bay High School (grade A+), Pompano Beach High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: American Heritage Schools, Broward Campus (grade A+), Pine Crest School - Fort Lauderdale Campus (grade A+), NSU University School (grade A+)
- Top places: Weston (grade A+), Downtown (grade A+), Parkland (grade A+)

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#15. Okaloosa County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 306
- Population: 212,021
- Median household income: $73,988
- Median home value: $295,400 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,382 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Collegiate High School at Northwest Florida State College (grade A+), Fort Walton Beach High School (grade A), Niceville Senior High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Rocky Bayou Christian School - Niceville Campus (grade A), Calvary Christian Academy & Preschool (grade A minus), Saint Mary Catholic School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Mary Esther (grade A), Valparaiso (grade A), Niceville (grade A)

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#14. Nassau County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 292
- Population: 91,538
- Median household income: $84,085
- Median home value: $306,800 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,171 (17% rent)
- Top public schools: Wildlight Elementary School (grade A), Hilliard Elementary School (grade A), Emma Love Hardee Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Faith Christian Academy (grade unavailable), St. Michael Academy (grade unavailable), Sonshine Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Fernandina Beach (grade A), Yulee (grade B+), Callahan (grade B)

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#13. Duval County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 270
- Population: 995,708
- Median household income: $65,579
- Median home value: $251,300 (58% own)
- Median rent: $1,293 (42% rent)
- Top public schools: Stanton College Preparatory (grade A+), Paxon School for Advanced Studies (grade A+), Darnell Cookman Middle/High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Episcopal School of Jacksonville (grade A+), The Bolles School (grade A+), Bishop Kenny High School (grade A)
- Top places: Deercreek (grade A+), Miramar (grade A+), Jacksonville Beach (grade A+)

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#12. Martin County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 268
- Population: 159,399
- Median household income: $77,894
- Median home value: $359,200 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,374 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Clark Advanced Learning Center (grade A+), Jensen Beach High School (grade A), Hidden Oaks Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Pine School (grade A+), Hobe Sound Christian Academy (grade A minus), Community Christian Academy (grade C+)
- Top places: Rio (grade A), Jensen Beach (grade A), Palm City (grade A)

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#11. Indian River County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 266
- Population: 160,986
- Median household income: $67,543
- Median home value: $284,400 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,183 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Indian River Charter High School (grade A), Osceola Magnet School (grade A), Rosewood Magnet School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Saint Edward's School (grade A+), Master's Academy of Vero Beach (grade A minus), St. Helen Catholic School (grade A+)
- Top places: South Beach (grade A), Indian River Shores (grade A), Vero Beach (grade A minus)

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#10. Pinellas County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 229
- Population: 959,918
- Median household income: $66,406
- Median home value: $284,300 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,389 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: St. Petersburg Collegiate High School (grade A+), Palm Harbor University High School (grade A), Osceola Fundamental High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Shorecrest Preparatory School (grade A+), Clearwater Central Catholic High School (grade A+), Admiral Farragut Academy (grade A+)
- Top places: Crescent Lake (grade A+), Euclid Heights (grade A), North Shore (grade A)

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#9. Palm Beach County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 200
- Population: 1,494,805
- Median household income: $76,066
- Median home value: $368,300 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,700 (30% rent)
- Top public schools: A.D. Henderson University School & FAU High School (grade A+), Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts (grade A+), Suncoast Community High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: American Heritage Schools, Palm Beach Campus (grade A+), Donna Klein Jewish Academy (grade A+), Saint Andrew's School (grade A+)
- Top places: Highland Beach (grade A+), Boca Raton (grade A+), Jupiter (grade A)

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#8. Brevard County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 171
- Population: 610,723
- Median household income: $71,308
- Median home value: $278,000 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,327 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: West Shore Junior/Senior High School (grade A+), Edgewood Junior/Senior High School (grade A+), Cocoa Beach Junior/Senior High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy (grade A+), Melbourne Central Catholic High School (grade A+), Florida Preparatory Academy (grade A)
- Top places: Melbourne Beach (grade A+), Satellite Beach (grade A+), Palm Shores (grade A)

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#7. Orange County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 141
- Population: 1,427,403
- Median household income: $72,629
- Median home value: $329,000 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,553 (43% rent)
- Top public schools: Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (grade A+), Timber Creek High School (grade A+), Winter Park High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Windermere Preparatory School (grade A+), Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+), The First Academy (grade A+)
- Top places: Audubon Park (grade A+), North Quarter (grade A+), Baldwin Park (grade A+)

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#6. Sarasota County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 128
- Population: 439,392
- Median household income: $77,213
- Median home value: $338,500 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,590 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Pine View School (grade A+), Riverview High School (grade A), Phillippi Shores Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: NewGate School (grade A+), The Out-of-Door Academy (grade A+), Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School (grade A+)
- Top places: Vamo (grade A), Siesta Key (grade A), South Sarasota (grade A)

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#5. Hillsborough County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 109
- Population: 1,468,560
- Median household income: $70,612
- Median home value: $294,900 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,413 (40% rent)
- Top public schools: Plant High School (grade A+), Steinbrenner High School (grade A+), Sickles High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Berkeley Preparatory School (grade A+), Tampa Preparatory School (grade A+), Carrollwood Day School (grade A+)
- Top places: Uptown (grade A+), Hyde Park - Spanishtown Creek (grade A+), Harbour Island (grade A+)

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#4. Leon County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 47
- Population: 294,128
- Median household income: $61,317
- Median home value: $256,900 (52% own)
- Median rent: $1,157 (48% rent)
- Top public schools: Florida State University School (grade A+), Lawton Chiles High School (grade A), Leon High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Maclay School (grade A+), Community Leadership Academy (grade A), North Florida Christian School (grade A)
- Top places: Tallahassee (grade A), Woodville (grade B)

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#3. Seminole County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 45
- Population: 471,321
- Median household income: $79,490
- Median home value: $329,300 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,545 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: Hagerty High School (grade A), Choices in Learning Charter School (grade A), Seminole Science Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Trinity Preparatory School of Florida (grade A+), Lake Mary Preparatory School (grade A+), The Geneva School (grade A+)
- Top places: Heathrow (grade A+), Oviedo (grade A+), Lake Mary (grade A+)

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#2. Alachua County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 40
- Population: 279,729
- Median household income: $57,566
- Median home value: $245,600 (55% own)
- Median rent: $1,191 (45% rent)
- Top public schools: Micanopy Academy (grade A+), P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School (grade A), Gainesville High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Oak Hall School (grade A+), Saint Francis Catholic Academy (grade A), Cornerstone Academy (grade A minus)
- Top places: Gainesville (grade A), Alachua (grade A), High Springs (grade A minus)

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#1. St. Johns County, Florida

- Overall Rank: 29
- Population: 278,722
- Median household income: $100,020
- Median home value: $416,100 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,601 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: Ponte Vedra High School (grade A+), Freedom Crossing Academy (grade A), Durbin Creek Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Joseph Academy (grade A), Beacon of Hope Christian School (grade B minus), St. John's Academy (grade A minus)
- Top places: Nocatee (grade A+), Palm Valley (grade A+), Fruit Cove (grade A+)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.