Fernandina Beach 72 Excellent
Fernandina Beach Livability #369 ranked city in Florida#6,484 ranked city in the USARanks better than 77% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Fernandina Beach

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.

What's it like Living in Fernandina Beach?

Located in the state of Florida, Fernandina Beach is a mid-sized city with a population of 13,006 residents. At 81%, the majority of the Fernandina Beach population is White; this is followed by 13% Black and 2% Asian. Fernandina Beach is considered to be a city with an aging population. The average age of all residents is 55, which is well beyond the United States median age average. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Fernandina Beach your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 23 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Fernandina Beach could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Florida if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. With useful information like cost of living, commute, education, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Fernandina Beach and in the areas around Fernandina Beach is a much easier task.

Using data and statistics Fernandina Beach has received a livability score of 72/100. This score is ranked in the 81st percentile when compared to all other cities. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Fernandina Beach has been rewarded with high marks for crime (A+), education (A+), employment (A+) and housing (A+). Fernandina Beach does not fare well for the following: amenities (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

The Fernandina Beach unemployment rate of 2.5% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

Parents and families tend to prioritize school test scores when choosing educational institutions. Test score data can be a critical factor in evaluating and comparing schools. In Fernandina Beach, the average school test scores are an impressive 70%, well above the national average. This achievement reflects the educational system's dedication to providing students with the essential knowledge and tools for success. It ensures that your children will receive the support and resources needed to excel academically and thrive in their educational pursuits.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Fernandina Beach apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Fernandina Beach is real estate affordability. The median home price for Fernandina Beach homes is $601,037, which is 100.6% higher than the Florida average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Fernandina Beach, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.2, which is 23.8% higher than the Florida average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Fernandina Beach

See all the best places to live around Fernandina Beach

How Do You Rate The Livability In Fernandina Beach?

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Compare Fernandina Beach, FL Livability

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      Fernandina Beach transportation information

      Statistic Fernandina Beach Florida National
      Average one way commute23min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work82.1%79.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.2%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.5%2.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.9%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.5%1.5%2.8%
      Working from home8.6%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Fernandina Beach, FL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.