1st Advantage MortgageAbout 80% of Liberty County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $58,671. 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 Liberty County
- Work, industries and travel time in Liberty County
- Paychecks and income spread in Liberty County
- Renting and owning in Liberty County
- Liberty County next to its neighbors
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Liberty County
- A Liberty County household budget, worked through
- Liberty County households compared
- Local borrowing considerations for Liberty County
- Before you sign
- Licensing and complaints for Liberty County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Liberty County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Liberty County's population at 7,687; only 66 of Florida's 67 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 836 square miles, that works out to roughly 9.2 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Liberty County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 4 Census places inside Liberty County, Bristol leads by population with about 1,020; 1 of the 4 are incorporated. Because Liberty County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Work, industries and travel time in Liberty County
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Liberty County residents work in education and health care and 16% in construction. The sharpest difference from the state is in public administration, at 15% locally and 4% for Florida. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 6.6% in Liberty County. 42% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. Only 8.7% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Liberty County | Difference from Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.8% | +1.8 pts |
| Construction | 15.5% | +7.3 pts |
| Public administration | 15.1% | +10.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.3% | -1.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.8% | +1.4 pts |
| Other services | 6.9% | +1.9 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Paychecks and income spread in Liberty County
The median household income in Liberty County is $58,671; statewide it is $74,568, so Liberty County runs 21% below Florida as a whole. Only 48 Florida counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Liberty County | +/- vs Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.2% | +8.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.0% | +1.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.5% | -3.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.3% | -6.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 27% of Liberty County households make $100,000 or more, and 31% make less than $35,000. Census counts 17.5% of Liberty County residents in poverty, against 12.6% across Florida. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Liberty County median.
Renting and owning in Liberty County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $943 in Liberty County versus $1,669 statewide. 43% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 28% spend half or more. Home values center on $127,300, or 2.2 years of median income. Owners occupy 80% of homes.
| Measure | Liberty County | Florida | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $943/mo | $1,669/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $127,300 | $359,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 60% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 35% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 37.0% | 8.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 21% | 15% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Liberty County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (22 to 40 miles). Wakulla County leads the group on income ($81,895), Gadsden County trails ($48,801), and Liberty County out-earns 2 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty County | - | $58,671 | $943/mo | 80% |
| Calhoun County, FL | 22 mi | $50,517 | $779/mo | 79% |
| Gadsden County, FL | 27 mi | $48,801 | $851/mo | 71% |
| Wakulla County, FL | 33 mi | $81,895 | $1,108/mo | 82% |
| Gulf County, FL | 37 mi | $61,179 | $1,187/mo | 81% |
| Leon County, FL | 38 mi | $66,287 | $1,291/mo | 53% |
| Franklin County, FL | 40 mi | $64,105 | $1,049/mo | 81% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Liberty County
4 Census places fall mainly inside Liberty County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 2,649 residents, leaving about 66% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $97,386 at the median in Hosford, $47,689 in Bristol. No Liberty County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 4.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | city | 1,020 | $47,689 | $935 | 13 mi |
| Hosford | CDP | 982 | $97,386 | $956 | 11 mi |
| Lake Mystic | CDP | 601 | $60,476 | $850 | 12 mi |
| Sumatra | CDP | 46 | n/a | n/a | 18 mi |
A Liberty County household budget, worked through
Liberty County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Liberty County: $4,889
- 19% goes to median rent ($943)
- At 36%, room after rent is $817 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Liberty County households compared
Degree holders: 17% of adults over 25. 8.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| Liberty County | Florida | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.7 | 42.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.5% | 34.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 20.3% | 10.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.2% | 11.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.7% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.1% | 15.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.5% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.6% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Liberty County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 22.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 21.7% |
| 60+ min | 20.2% |
Local borrowing considerations for Liberty County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Liberty County borrowers.
- Commuter costs. 42% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Mobile home upkeep. 37% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Before you sign
A short checklist for Liberty County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Liberty County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Florida.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Licensing and complaints for Liberty County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Liberty County resident can confirm its license with the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. See the Florida state guide for the statewide picture.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Florida guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Liberty County?
$58,671 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $74,568 for Florida. It ranks 49th of 67 in the state.
How does Liberty County rent compare with Florida?
$943 locally versus $1,669 for the state, 43% below.
I own my home in Liberty County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 80% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Liberty County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Bristol, Hosford, Lake Mystic, Sumatra.
Is the fit check different in Liberty County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.