1st Advantage MortgageIn Calhoun County, Florida, the typical household earns $50,517 a year and the typical rent is $779. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Florida before sharing details.
On this page
- Calhoun County at a glance
- Paychecks and income spread in Calhoun County
- What it costs to live in Calhoun County
- The Calhoun County job picture
- The counties around Calhoun County
- Calhoun County towns compared
- A Calhoun County household budget, worked through
- Before borrowing in Calhoun County
- Who lives in Calhoun County, in numbers
- Checking a lender's license in Florida
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Calhoun County at a glance
Roughly 13,492 residents live in Calhoun County, Florida, 63rd by population among the state's 67 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 567 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 24 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Calhoun County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (2 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Blountstown, with about 3,136 residents, or 23% of the county.
Paychecks and income spread in Calhoun County
The median household income in Calhoun County is $50,517; statewide it is $74,568, so Calhoun County runs 32% below Florida as a whole. That places it 58th among Florida's 67 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Calhoun County | Gap to Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 37.2% | +14.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.3% | +2.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.7% | -10.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.9% | -7.1 pts |
Some 37% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 20% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 20.7%, 8 points higher than the state's 12.6%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.463 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Calhoun County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
What it costs to live in Calhoun County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $779 in Calhoun County versus $1,669 statewide. By the Census definition, 62% of Calhoun County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $145,300, about 2.9 times the median household income. Owners occupy 79% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1986.
| Housing | Calhoun County | Florida statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $779/mo | $1,669/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $145,300 | $359,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 62% | 60% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 35% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 34.3% | 8.0% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Calhoun County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
The Calhoun County job picture
The biggest employer of Calhoun County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by public administration (12%). Compared with Florida, the county leans toward public administration (12% against 4%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 8.0% in Calhoun County. About 83% drive to work alone and 26% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 5.7% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Calhoun County workers | vs Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.7% | +3.7 pts |
| Public administration | 11.7% | +7.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.1% | -0.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.8% | -1.1 pts |
| Construction | 9.7% | +1.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.4% | -5.8 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
The counties around Calhoun County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (22 to 37 miles). 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Calhoun County; Bay County is highest at $73,533 and Gadsden County lowest at $48,801.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calhoun County | - | $50,517 | $779/mo | 79% |
| Liberty County, FL | 22 mi | $58,671 | $943/mo | 80% |
| Bay County, FL | 26 mi | $73,533 | $1,484/mo | 67% |
| Jackson County, FL | 28 mi | $49,149 | $865/mo | 76% |
| Washington County, FL | 31 mi | $58,210 | $888/mo | 80% |
| Gulf County, FL | 37 mi | $61,179 | $1,187/mo | 81% |
| Gadsden County, FL | 37 mi | $48,801 | $851/mo | 71% |
Calhoun County towns compared
2 Census places fall mainly inside Calhoun County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 3,593 residents, leaving about 73% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blountstown | city | 3,136 | $51,762 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Altha | town | 457 | $29,583 | $900 | 13 mi |
A Calhoun County household budget, worked through
Calhoun County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $4,210 a month: gross income for a household at the Calhoun County median
- Less median rent of $779, which is 19% of it
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,031 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Calhoun County's.
Before borrowing in Calhoun County
What the Calhoun County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Uninsured care. 18% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Commuter costs. 26% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Manufactured homes. 34% of Calhoun County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- 21% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
Who lives in Calhoun County, in numbers
Degree holders: 14% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 17.6%, against 11.5% for Florida.
| People and households | Calhoun County | Florida | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.2 | 42.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.6% | 34.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 17.4% | 10.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 17.6% | 11.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.1% | 15.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.7% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.0% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Calhoun County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 14.9% |
| 60+ min | 11.5% |
Checking a lender's license in Florida
Before sharing details with a lender, a Calhoun County resident can confirm its license with 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.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Calhoun County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Florida guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Calhoun County household make?
About $50,517 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 32% below the Florida median.
Is Calhoun County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $779 against $1,669 statewide, and 62% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Calhoun County?
By population: Blountstown, Altha. The county has 2 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Calhoun County or elsewhere in Florida, the same rules apply.
Where can someone in Calhoun County check a lender's license?
With the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.