1st Advantage MortgageIn Gulf County, Florida, the typical household earns $61,179 a year and the typical rent is $1,187. 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
- Who lives in Gulf County
- Gulf County housing compared with Florida
- How much Gulf County households make
- Work, industries and travel time in Gulf County
- Places inside Gulf County
- How Gulf County compares with nearby counties
- Budget math at the Gulf County median
- People and households in Gulf County
- Reading the Gulf County data as a borrower
- Florida rules that apply in Gulf County
- A Gulf County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Gulf County
Gulf County is home to about 15,131 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 60th most populous of 67 county-level areas in Florida. Land area is 553 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 27 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Gulf County is not part of any metropolitan area. Port St. Joe is the biggest of its 2 Census places, at roughly 3,616 people (24% of the county total).
Gulf County housing compared with Florida
Renters in Gulf County pay a median of $1,187 a month, 29% below the Florida figure of $1,669. By the Census definition, 59% of Gulf County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $250,000, about 4.1 times the median household income. 81% of Gulf County households own their home and 19% rent. Median construction year: 1995.
| Cost | Gulf County | Florida figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,187/mo | $1,669/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $250,000 | $359,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 59% | 60% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 35% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Gulf 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.
How much Gulf County households make
The median household income in Gulf County is $61,179; statewide it is $74,568, so Gulf County runs 18% below Florida as a whole. Only 44 Florida counties post a higher median.
| Band | Gulf County | Compared with Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.4% | +2.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.9% | +5.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.8% | -5.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.9% | -2.1 pts |
Some 24% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 29% have six-figure incomes. 12.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.6%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Gulf County median.
Work, industries and travel time in Gulf County
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Gulf County residents work in education and health care and 14% in construction. Compared with Florida, the county leans toward construction (14% against 8%). The survey's unemployment rate for Gulf County averages 2.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.8%). Long commutes are common here: 19% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | Gulf County share | +/- vs Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.1% | +1.1 pts |
| Construction | 14.2% | +6.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.2% | +1.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.8% | -4.3 pts |
| Public administration | 9.0% | +4.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.4% | -3.6 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Gulf County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Places inside Gulf County
2 Census places fall mainly inside Gulf County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 5,500 residents, leaving about 64% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Gulf County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 2.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port St. Joe | city | 3,616 | $55,542 | $1,433 | 4 mi |
| Wewahitchka | city | 1,884 | $43,674 | $825 | 19 mi |
How Gulf County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (26 to 57 miles). Income ranges from $50,517 in Calhoun County to $81,895 in Wakulla County; 3 of these neighbors top Gulf County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf County | - | $61,179 | $1,187/mo | 81% |
| Bay County, FL | 26 mi | $73,533 | $1,484/mo | 67% |
| Franklin County, FL | 30 mi | $64,105 | $1,049/mo | 81% |
| Liberty County, FL | 37 mi | $58,671 | $943/mo | 80% |
| Calhoun County, FL | 37 mi | $50,517 | $779/mo | 79% |
| Washington County, FL | 56 mi | $58,210 | $888/mo | 80% |
| Wakulla County, FL | 57 mi | $81,895 | $1,108/mo | 82% |
Budget math at the Gulf County median
Here is the Gulf County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $61,179 a year is $5,098 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $1,187 uses 23%
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $648 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Gulf County's.
People and households in Gulf County
24% of Gulf County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 8.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Gulf County | Florida | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.9 | 42.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.5% | 34.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.0% | 10.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.3% | 11.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.7% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.3% | 15.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.5% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.6% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 38.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.4% |
| 60+ min | 12.1% |
Reading the Gulf County data as a borrower
Where the Gulf County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Commuter costs. 19% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Mobile home upkeep. 18% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Fixed incomes. Gulf County's median age is 46.9. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Renters under pressure. When 59% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Florida rules that apply in Gulf County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Gulf County resident can confirm its license with the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Florida state guide for the statewide picture.
A Gulf County borrower's checklist
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Gulf County-area credit union.
- A Florida license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Florida guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gulf County a high-income county?
Its $61,179 median ranks 45th of 67 Florida counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Gulf County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,187 against $1,669 statewide, and 59% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Port St. Joe?
Yes, along with the other 1 Census place in Gulf County, such as Wewahitchka.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Gulf County or elsewhere in Florida, the same rules apply.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Gulf County?
Start with the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.