More counties in the United States experienced population growth in the last year, according to the latest Census data, even as pandemic-related moving trends begin to normalize.
Counties in the South continued to experience growth, particularly in Florida, where 96% of its 67 counties gained new residents. Polk County, Florida, a suburb of Orlando, added the most, with 26,000 people moving there in 2023.
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Meanwhile, counties in the Midwest and Northeast continued to lose population, but at slower rates than the year before. Some of the biggest losses were in counties home to large cities, including Cook County, Illinois (home of Chicago) and the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York.
Many counties are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or relatively affordable housing costs. Others are favored for their historic or well-designed downtowns or access to cultural opportunities.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Florida using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by various factors including public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.
Keep reading to see if your county made the list.
#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)
#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)
#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)
#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+)
#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)
#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)
#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)
#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)
#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+)
#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)
#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)
#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)
#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)
#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+)
#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+)
#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)
#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)
#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+)
#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)
#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)
#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)
#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)
#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)
#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+)
#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)
#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+)
#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)
#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+)
#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)
#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.