1st Advantage MortgageIn Hamilton County, Florida, the typical household earns $50,144 a year and the typical rent is $724. 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
- Getting oriented in Hamilton County
- Income in Hamilton County compared with Florida
- How Hamilton County residents earn a living
- Hamilton County housing compared with Florida
- The communities that make up Hamilton County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- People and households in Hamilton County
- Local borrowing considerations for Hamilton County
- Room for a loan payment in Hamilton County
- Licensing and complaints for Hamilton County
- Before you sign
- More guides for Hamilton County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Hamilton County
Roughly 13,616 residents live in Hamilton County, Florida, 62nd by population among the state's 67 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 514 square miles, that works out to roughly 26.5 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Hamilton County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 3 Census places inside Hamilton County, Jasper leads by population with about 3,072; 3 of the 3 are incorporated.
Income in Hamilton County compared with Florida
The median household income in Hamilton County is $50,144; statewide it is $74,568, so Hamilton County runs 33% below Florida as a whole. Only 58 Florida counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Hamilton County | vs Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 37.5% | +15.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.2% | +5.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.2% | -10.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.1% | -9.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 16% of Hamilton County households make $100,000 or more, and 38% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 20.1%, 8 points higher than the state's 12.6%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
How Hamilton County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 16%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 8% of workers here, versus 1% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 6.7% in Hamilton County. 28% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home.
| Industry | Share of Hamilton County workers | vs Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.4% | +1.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 16.0% | +4.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.4% | -3.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.0% | -0.9 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.3% | +7.5 pts |
| Public administration | 8.3% | +4.0 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.
Hamilton County housing compared with Florida
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $724 in Hamilton County versus $1,669 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 58% of renter households here. Home values center on $111,200, or 2.2 years of median income. The ownership rate is 80%. Half the housing stock was built before 1990.
| Hamilton County | Florida | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $724/mo | $1,669/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $111,200 | $359,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 58% | 60% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 37% | 35% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 42.4% | 8.0% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Hamilton 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. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
The communities that make up Hamilton County
3 Census places fall mainly inside Hamilton County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 5,155 residents, leaving about 62% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $49,500 at the median in Jasper, $23,243 in Jennings. Rent is cheapest in Jasper ($725) and steepest in Jennings ($812). Live in one of these Hamilton County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasper | city | 3,072 | $49,500 | $725 | 3 mi |
| Jennings | town | 1,164 | $23,243 | $812 | 11 mi |
| White Springs | town | 919 | $38,229 | $768 | 16 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (15 to 33 miles). Income ranges from $45,847 in Clinch County to $59,489 in Echols County; 4 of these neighbors top Hamilton County's median. Some neighbors are in Georgia. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Hamilton County resident follows Florida rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton County | - | $50,144 | $724/mo | 80% |
| Echols County, GA | 15 mi | $59,489 | $1,017/mo | 76% |
| Suwannee County, FL | 22 mi | $56,658 | $884/mo | 75% |
| Columbia County, FL | 27 mi | $59,205 | $976/mo | 72% |
| Lowndes County, GA | 30 mi | $58,541 | $1,052/mo | 57% |
| Madison County, FL | 31 mi | $48,485 | $874/mo | 73% |
| Clinch County, GA | 33 mi | $45,847 | $509/mo | 71% |
People and households in Hamilton County
Degree holders: 11% of adults over 25. About 14% go without health insurance.
| Hamilton County | Florida | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.2 | 42.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 11.0% | 34.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 18.4% | 10.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.5% | 11.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.6% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.1% | 15.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.1% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.7% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 17.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 16.3% |
| 60+ min | 12.1% |
Local borrowing considerations for Hamilton County
Based on the Hamilton County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Health costs. With 14% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Vehicle repairs. 28% of Hamilton County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 42% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Free help first. 20% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
Room for a loan payment in Hamilton County
Hamilton County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $4,179 gross per month ($50,144 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $724, takes 17% of that
- With a 36% ceiling, about $780 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,073 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $724, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Licensing and complaints for Hamilton County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Hamilton County, check the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Florida: Florida personal loans.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Hamilton County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Hamilton County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A Florida license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
More guides for Hamilton County
The Florida guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Hamilton County?
$50,144 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $74,568 for Florida. It ranks 59th of 67 in the state.
What do renters pay in Hamilton County?
$724 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
Does this page cover Jasper?
Yes, along with the other 2 Census places in Hamilton County, such as Jennings, White Springs.
Is the fit check different in Hamilton County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Hamilton 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.