1st Advantage MortgageThe median Escambia County household earns $67,500, and 15% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Escambia County by the numbers
- Escambia County housing compared with Florida
- Paychecks and income spread in Escambia County
- Jobs and commutes in Escambia County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Escambia County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Room for a loan payment in Escambia County
- Local borrowing considerations for Escambia County
- People and households in Escambia County
- Checking a lender's license in Florida
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Escambia County by the numbers
With an estimated 325,923 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Escambia County ranks 21st of 67 in Florida for population. It covers 657 square miles of land, or about 496 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 13 places in the county (2 incorporated, 11 census-designated); the largest is Pensacola, with about 54,036 residents, or 17% of the county.
Escambia County housing compared with Florida
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,321 in Escambia County versus $1,669 statewide. 56% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 25% spend half or more. With a median value of $257,200, a typical Escambia County house costs 3.8 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 65% of homes. Median construction year: 1984.
| Home costs | Escambia County | Florida | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,321/mo | $1,669/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $257,200 | $359,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 65% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 56% | 60% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 35% | n/a |
High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Paychecks and income spread in Escambia County
At $67,500, the typical Escambia County household income is 3% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Band | Escambia County | Compared with Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.3% | +2.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.8% | +2.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.1% | -1.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.8% | -3.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 32% of Escambia County households make $100,000 or more, and 24% make less than $35,000. Census counts 14.7% of Escambia County residents in poverty, against 12.6% across Florida. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.456 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Escambia County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Jobs and commutes in Escambia County
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 12%. Education and health care stands out: 24% of workers here, versus 21% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Escambia County averages 5.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.8%). 11% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 14% work from home.
| Top industries | Escambia County share | +/- vs Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.3% | +3.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.4% | +0.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.4% | -2.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.0% | +0.1 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 9.9% | +1.8 pts |
| Construction | 7.8% | -0.5 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Escambia County
Here are the 13 most populous of the county's 13 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 73% of Escambia County residents live in one of the 13. Gonzalez has the highest median household income on the list ($82,062) and Century the lowest ($27,609), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Molino ($529) and steepest in Pensacola Station ($1,797). This guide covers each of the 13 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pensacola | city | 54,036 | $74,212 | $1,322 | 10 mi |
| Ferry Pass | CDP | 30,053 | $61,689 | $1,383 | 8 mi |
| Bellview | CDP | 26,488 | $69,890 | $1,344 | 5 mi |
| Brent | CDP | 23,813 | $49,167 | $1,161 | 6 mi |
| Ensley | CDP | 23,760 | $59,084 | $1,378 | 3 mi |
| West Pensacola | CDP | 20,665 | $40,511 | $1,138 | 8 mi |
| Warrington | CDP | 15,918 | $61,861 | $1,160 | 10 mi |
| Myrtle Grove | CDP | 15,595 | $67,647 | $1,391 | 8 mi |
| Gonzalez | CDP | 14,458 | $82,062 | $1,250 | 5 mi |
| Pensacola Station | CDP | 5,281 | $71,607 | $1,797 | 12 mi |
| Goulding | CDP | 3,734 | $29,368 | $1,106 | 8 mi |
| Century | town | 1,826 | $27,609 | $716 | 31 mi |
| Molino | CDP | 1,447 | $74,753 | $529 | 12 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Distances run center to center, from Santa Rosa County at 21 miles out to Conecuh County at 65. Income ranges from $41,327 in Conecuh County to $91,922 in Santa Rosa County; 3 of these neighbors top Escambia County's median. The list crosses into Alabama, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escambia County | - | $67,500 | $1,321/mo | 65% |
| Santa Rosa County, FL | 21 mi | $91,922 | $1,544/mo | 81% |
| Baldwin County, AL | 27 mi | $78,775 | $1,277/mo | 78% |
| Escambia County, AL | 42 mi | $48,225 | $766/mo | 71% |
| Okaloosa County, FL | 44 mi | $81,998 | $1,612/mo | 68% |
| Mobile County, AL | 53 mi | $58,880 | $1,052/mo | 66% |
| Conecuh County, AL | 65 mi | $41,327 | $834/mo | 74% |
Room for a loan payment in Escambia County
Here is the Escambia County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $5,625 gross per month ($67,500 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $1,321 uses 23%
- With a 35% ceiling, about $648 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,210 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $1,321, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Local borrowing considerations for Escambia County
Where the Escambia County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Medical bills. 12% of Escambia County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- 56% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
People and households in Escambia County
30% of Escambia County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 12% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Escambia County | Florida | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.1 | 42.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 29.7% | 34.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.1% | 10.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.7% | 11.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.0% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 13.6% | 15.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.7% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.9% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Escambia County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 43.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.3% |
| 60+ min | 6.0% |
Checking a lender's license in Florida
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Escambia County borrowers answers to the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Florida guide covers state rules in more detail.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Escambia County borrowers:
- Price the Escambia County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Florida borrowers.
- 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
Is Escambia County a high-income county?
Its $67,500 median ranks 34th of 67 Florida counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Escambia County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,321 a month; 56% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I live in a small Escambia County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Pensacola, Ferry Pass, Bellview, Brent, Ensley and 8 more.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Escambia County or elsewhere in Florida, the same rules apply.
Where can someone in Escambia 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.