1st Advantage MortgageBaker County households have a median income of $79,836 and median rent of $1,302 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Baker County by the numbers
- Household income in Baker County
- Baker County housing compared with Florida
- How Baker County residents earn a living
- Counties near Baker County
- Towns and communities in Baker County
- Who lives in Baker County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for Baker County borrowers
- Debt-to-income at Baker County's medians
- Lender oversight for Baker County
- Checklist for Baker County applicants
- More guides for Baker County
- Frequently asked questions
Baker County by the numbers
With an estimated 28,430 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Baker County ranks 50th of 67 in Florida for population. It covers 585 square miles of land, or about 49 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Jacksonville, FL metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Macclenny is the biggest of its 2 Census places, at roughly 7,748 people (27% of the county total).
Household income in Baker County
At $79,836, the typical Baker County household income is 22% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 14th of 67.
| Yearly household income | Baker County | Gap to Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 16.6% | -5.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.4% | +2.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.7% | +6.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.3% | -2.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 40% of Baker County households make $100,000 or more, and 17% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 11.8%, 1 point lower than the state's 12.6%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.388 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Baker County housing compared with Florida
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,302 in Baker County versus $1,669 statewide. 45% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 26% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $256,700, about 3.2 times the median household income. Owners occupy 85% of homes.
| Housing | Baker County | Florida statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,302/mo | $1,669/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $256,700 | $359,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 85% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 60% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 35% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
How Baker County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Baker County residents work in education and health care and 13% in public administration. Compared with Florida, the county leans toward public administration (13% against 4%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.5% in Baker County. Long commutes are common here: 22% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 4.8% of the total (6.0% statewide).
| Top industries | Baker County share | +/- vs Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.7% | +0.7 pts |
| Public administration | 12.8% | +8.5 pts |
| Construction | 11.3% | +3.1 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 8.8% | +0.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.3% | -2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.9% | -4.0 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Counties near Baker County
Distances run center to center, from Union County at 19 miles out to Nassau County at 37. Income ranges from $59,205 in Columbia County to $89,804 in Nassau County; 2 of these neighbors top Baker County's median. The list crosses into Georgia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baker County | - | $79,836 | $1,302/mo | 85% |
| Union County, FL | 19 mi | $64,146 | $894/mo | 75% |
| Columbia County, FL | 20 mi | $59,205 | $976/mo | 72% |
| Bradford County, FL | 27 mi | $63,050 | $863/mo | 73% |
| Charlton County, GA | 33 mi | $61,276 | $540/mo | 80% |
| Clay County, FL | 35 mi | $87,820 | $1,551/mo | 76% |
| Nassau County, FL | 37 mi | $89,804 | $1,526/mo | 83% |
Towns and communities in Baker County
Here are the 2 most populous of the county's 2 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 29% of Baker County residents live in one of the 2. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macclenny | city | 7,748 | $73,942 | $1,384 | 11 mi |
| Glen St. Mary | town | 612 | $59,167 | $1,000 | 9 mi |
Who lives in Baker County, in numbers
Degree holders: 18% of adults over 25. About 12% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Baker County | All of Florida | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.1 | 42.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.8% | 34.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.9% | 10.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.8% | 11.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.6% | 15.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.8% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.5% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 28.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.4% |
| 60+ min | 11.3% |
What the numbers mean for Baker County borrowers
What the Baker County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Health costs. With 12% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Keeping the car running. At 22% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Baker County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Mobile home upkeep. 30% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Six-figure budgets. For the 40% earning $100,000 or more, lifestyle creep, not approval, is the usual problem.
Debt-to-income at Baker County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Baker County's medians:
- Start: $6,653 gross per month ($79,836 / 12)
- Less median rent of $1,302, which is 20% of it
- $1,093: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,559 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Baker County's.
Lender oversight for Baker County
Baker County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Florida guide covers state rules in more detail.
Checklist for Baker County applicants
Steps that save money for Baker County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask a Baker County credit union about member loans.
More guides for Baker County
The Florida guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Baker County household make?
About $79,836 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 7% above the Florida median.
How does Baker County rent compare with Florida?
$1,302 locally versus $1,669 for the state, 22% below.
I own my home in Baker County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 85% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Macclenny?
Yes, along with the other 1 Census place in Baker County, such as Glen St. Mary.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Baker County or elsewhere in Florida, the same rules apply.