1st Advantage MortgageAbout 81% of Levy County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $56,750. 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
- Levy County by the numbers
- Renting and owning in Levy County
- Paychecks and income spread in Levy County
- Employment and commuting in Levy County
- Places inside Levy County
- Levy County and the counties next door
- Debt-to-income at Levy County's medians
- Who lives in Levy County, in numbers
- Reading the Levy County data as a borrower
- Steps before you apply in Levy County
- Florida rules that apply in Levy County
- More guides for Levy County
- Frequently asked questions
Levy County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Levy County's population at 45,391; only 42 of Florida's 67 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 1,118 square miles, that works out to roughly 40.6 residents per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Gainesville, FL metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 15 Census places inside Levy County, Rainbow Lakes Estates leads by population with about 3,762; 7 of the 15 are incorporated.
Renting and owning in Levy County
A typical Levy County rental runs $850 a month including utilities, which is 49% below Florida. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 46% of renter households here. With a median value of $190,600, a typical Levy County house costs 3.4 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 81%. The median year built is 1993.
| Housing | Levy County | Florida statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $850/mo | $1,669/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $190,600 | $359,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 60% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 34% | 35% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 42.8% | 8.0% | n/a |
Because most Levy County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Paychecks and income spread in Levy County
Half of Levy County households take in less than $56,750 a year and half take in more, 24% below the Florida median of $74,568.
| Households earning | Levy County | +/- vs Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.4% | +11.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.1% | +1.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.3% | -5.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.2% | -6.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 24% of Levy County households make $100,000 or more, and 33% make less than $35,000. Census counts 17.4% of Levy County residents in poverty, against 12.6% across Florida. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.475 (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.
Employment and commuting in Levy County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Levy County residents work in education and health care and 13% in retail trade. Construction stands out: 12% of workers here, versus 8% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 26% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home.
| Where residents work | Levy County | Difference from Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.6% | -0.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.3% | +1.4 pts |
| Construction | 12.4% | +4.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.9% | -2.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.1% | -6.0 pts |
| Public administration | 8.0% | +3.7 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.
Places inside Levy County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 15 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 55% of Levy County residents live in one of the 15. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $11,692 in East Williston to $79,662 in Williston Highlands. Median rent ranges from $344 in Inglis to $1,112 in Andrews. This guide covers each of the 15 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Lakes Estates | CDP | 3,762 | $50,429 | $1,030 | 21 mi |
| Williston Highlands | CDP | 3,666 | $79,662 | $723 | 18 mi |
| Williston | city | 3,154 | $61,111 | $969 | 25 mi |
| East Bronson | CDP | 2,649 | $51,898 | n/a | 19 mi |
| Manatee Road | CDP | 2,426 | $51,708 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Chiefland | city | 1,909 | n/a | $845 | 15 mi |
| Inglis | town | 1,742 | $56,500 | $344 | 19 mi |
| Bronson | town | 1,600 | $61,923 | $869 | 17 mi |
| Andrews | CDP | 1,275 | $52,955 | $1,112 | 19 mi |
| Cedar Key | city | 875 | $64,375 | $873 | 15 mi |
| Yankeetown | town | 675 | $60,865 | $1,108 | 17 mi |
| East Williston | CDP | 520 | $11,692 | $779 | 26 mi |
| Raleigh | CDP | 499 | $70,129 | $482 | 25 mi |
| Otter Creek | town | 142 | $63,295 | n/a | 5 mi |
Levy County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Levy County's, from 31 to 53 miles away. Income ranges from $50,110 in Dixie County to $66,058 in Hernando County; 4 of these neighbors top Levy County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levy County | - | $56,750 | $850/mo | 81% |
| Dixie County, FL | 31 mi | $50,110 | $695/mo | 85% |
| Gilchrist County, FL | 31 mi | $63,523 | $926/mo | 86% |
| Citrus County, FL | 32 mi | $56,546 | $1,107/mo | 85% |
| Alachua County, FL | 40 mi | $61,949 | $1,339/mo | 54% |
| Marion County, FL | 48 mi | $61,010 | $1,277/mo | 77% |
| Hernando County, FL | 53 mi | $66,058 | $1,298/mo | 83% |
Debt-to-income at Levy County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Levy County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,729 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $850, takes 18% of that
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,042 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Who lives in Levy County, in numbers
17% of Levy County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 13.1%, against 11.5% for Florida.
| Levy County | Florida | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.7 | 42.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.5% | 34.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.9% | 10.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.1% | 11.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.2% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.5% | 15.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.4% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.1% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.8% |
| 60+ min | 11.9% |
Reading the Levy County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the Levy County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Hospital bills in Levy County. For the 13% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Commuter costs. 26% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- 43% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 47, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
Steps before you apply in Levy County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Levy County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Levy County-area credit union.
- A Florida license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Florida rules that apply in Levy County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Levy County, check the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Florida guide.
More guides for Levy County
The Florida guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Levy County household make?
About $56,750 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 24% below the Florida median.
How does Levy County rent compare with Florida?
$850 locally versus $1,669 for the state, 49% below.
Which towns does the Levy County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 15 Census places: Rainbow Lakes Estates, Williston Highlands, Williston, East Bronson, Manatee Road.
Is the fit check different in Levy County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Levy 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.