Jefferson County, Florida: A Look at The Housing Market and Some Community Facts That Ultimately Affect The Market
�� Jefferson County Housing Market
In November 2025, Jefferson County home prices were up 10% year-over-year, with a median sale price of $303K Homes averaged 123 days on market up significantly from 62 days the prior year though 8 homes sold in November, up from 5 the year before Redfin That's a thin but growing market. The longer days-on-market reflects the statewide trend: Florida's inventory reached 127,109 units statewide in Q3 2025, a 24.5% increase from Q3 2024, giving buyers more leverage and negotiating power. Housecanary
Median Property Value (2023)
$198,800 — well below the national average of $303,400
Homeownership Rate
75.1% — notably higher than the national average of 65%
That high homeownership rate speaks to the rural, established nature of the county. Data USA
Market Character
Rural, established county with high owner-occupancy reflecting deep community roots
�� Population & Demographics
Population Snapshot
Jefferson County's 2024 population is approximately 15,091, making it the 61st most populated county in Florida out of 67. The 2026 projected population is 15,487, reflecting an annual growth rate of about 1.3%
Florida Demographics
Racial / Ethnic Composition
White: 60.3%
Black: 27.8%
Hispanic: 5.1%
Median age: 47.6 years Florida Demographics
�� Income & Poverty
$61,212
2024 Median Household Income
Up from $51,573 in 2022 to $56,984 in 2023 a 10.5% increase in just one year
15.5%
Families in Poverty
Despite income growth, 15 5% of Jefferson County families still live in poverty
Florida Demographics | Data USA | Jeffersoncountyfl
24.5%
Children in Poverty (2024)
Declined 7.9% since 2014, but still a significant number pointing to underlying economic fragility
25% Transfer Payment Income
About 25% of total county income comes from transfer payments (Social Security, disability, SNAP, etc.) — a meaningful share of the local economy
�� Commute & Occupations
Jefferson County is fundamentally a bedroom community for Tallahassee Almost half of the non-farm workforce commutes outside the county for employment primarily to professional, academic, state government, service, and trade jobs in Tallahassee. Consumers in Jefferson County also depend heavily on Tallahassee and Thomasville, Georgia (20 miles north) for hospitals, specialized healthcare, consumer durables, automobiles, and specialized retail. Jeffersoncountyfl
The average commute time is 29.4 minutes, and residents primarily drive alone to work, with an average of 2 cars per household. Data USA
Top-Paying Industries Men
Professional/Scientific/Management & Administrative Services: $57,232
Transportation & Warehousing: $57,000
Wholesale Trade: $56,204
Top-Paying Industries Women
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate: $61,319
Transportation & Warehousing: $55,230
Public Administration: $44,911 Data USA
Business & Economic Base
Agriculture as Foundation
Agriculture has been the traditional base of Jefferson County's economy, with 24% of county income derived directly from agriculture and forestry.
Jeffersoncountyfl
Small Business Dominance
Over 90% of non-farm private employment is in small business — double the state rate. The county has very few large employers; it is an economy of small operators, farms, and government workers who commute.
Jeffersoncountyfl
Persistent Low-Income Classification
Jefferson County has historically been classified as a persistent low-income county — one of only 6 in Florida with per capita income consistently in the bottom quintile of counties since the 1950 census. Jeffersoncountyfl
�� Is Growth Happening?
Yes — and it appears to be accelerating. Signs of local population growth are evident in building permit reports and increased traffic around Monticello. The city's Interim City Manager recently told the City Council: "With all the growth in Monticello, more customers make for more sludge," as he pursued a grant for wastewater treatment plant upgrades. A resurrected plan for a massive subdivision just west of town has also emerged. ECB Publishing, Inc.
Housing Permits
Housing units permitted in Jefferson County jumped from 70 in 2020 to 112 in 2021 and 88 in 2022. Population projections show steady growth from roughly 15,800 in 2025 to 17,300 by 2050.
Florida County Profiles
Statewide Migration Trends
Moves from California and New York lead inflow into Florida, accounting for 20% of all in-state moves from other states for three consecutive years. Movebuddha For Jefferson County specifically, the pattern mirrors what drives people to smaller rural Florida counties people priced out of Tallahassee looking for more affordable land and homes while keeping their Leon County jobs
The Big Picture for You
Jefferson County is a classic affordability-driven growth story. It's one of Florida's historically poorest counties, but it's being lifted by Tallahassee spillover — people who want acreage, lower price points, and a rural lifestyle while still commuting to the capital.
10% YoY Home Price Appreciation
A real signal that the growth story is taking root
Rising Income, Declining Poverty
Planned Mega-Subdivision
West of Monticello — further evidence of accelerating development momentum
Income is rising, poverty is declining slowly, and the bedroom community dynamic keeps demand tethered to Tallahassee's employment base
