1st Advantage MortgageThe median Taylor County household earns $49,073, and 17% of residents live below the poverty line. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Florida license first.
On this page
- Taylor County, FL: the basics
- Income in Taylor County compared with Florida
- Jobs and commutes in Taylor County
- What it costs to live in Taylor County
- Towns and communities in Taylor County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Who lives in Taylor County, in numbers
- Reading the Taylor County data as a borrower
- Budget math at the Taylor County median
- Florida rules that apply in Taylor County
- Checklist for Taylor County applicants
- More guides for Taylor County
- Frequently asked questions
Taylor County, FL: the basics
Taylor County is home to about 21,503 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 54th most populous of 67 county-level areas in Florida. It covers 1,043 square miles of land, or about 21 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Taylor County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Perry is the biggest of its 2 Census places, at roughly 7,068 people (33% of the county total).
Income in Taylor County compared with Florida
Taylor County households have a median income of $49,073 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 63rd of 67 in Florida.
| Yearly household income | Taylor County | Gap to Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 36.4% | +14.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.6% | +3.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.3% | -9.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.7% | -8.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 19% of Taylor County households make $100,000 or more, and 36% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 17.3%, 5 points higher than the state's 12.6%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.514 here. For a borrower in Taylor County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Jobs and commutes in Taylor County
Education and health care employs 19% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 15%. Compared with Florida, the county leans toward public administration (10% against 4%). The survey's unemployment rate for Taylor County averages 5.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.8%). About 75% drive to work alone and 14% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry | Share of Taylor County workers | vs Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 18.9% | -2.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.9% | +2.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.8% | -0.2 pts |
| Public administration | 9.8% | +5.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.7% | +2.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.0% | +2.7 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Taylor County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
What it costs to live in Taylor County
A typical Taylor County rental runs $988 a month including utilities, which is 41% below Florida. By the Census definition, 52% of Taylor County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $114,600, about 2.3 times the median household income. 76% of Taylor County households own their home and 24% rent. Median construction year: 1986.
| Cost | Taylor County | Florida figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $988/mo | $1,669/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $114,600 | $359,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 60% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 35% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 40.1% | 8.0% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Taylor 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?
Towns and communities in Taylor County
The table lists the 2 largest of 2 Census places in Taylor County, by population. Together all 2 hold about 7,824 people, so roughly 64% of residents live outside any named place. No Taylor County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 2.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perry | city | 7,068 | $40,898 | $986 | 10 mi |
| Steinhatchee | CDP | 756 | $50,000 | n/a | 25 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (28 to 44 miles). Income ranges from $48,485 in Madison County to $81,895 in Wakulla County; 5 of these neighbors top Taylor County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor County | - | $49,073 | $988/mo | 76% |
| Lafayette County, FL | 28 mi | $62,757 | $896/mo | 77% |
| Jefferson County, FL | 34 mi | $61,212 | $898/mo | 76% |
| Madison County, FL | 35 mi | $48,485 | $874/mo | 73% |
| Dixie County, FL | 37 mi | $50,110 | $695/mo | 85% |
| Suwannee County, FL | 42 mi | $56,658 | $884/mo | 75% |
| Wakulla County, FL | 44 mi | $81,895 | $1,108/mo | 82% |
Who lives in Taylor County, in numbers
College graduates make up 17% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 11.2%, against 11.5% for Florida.
| Taylor County | Florida | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.9 | 42.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.5% | 34.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.8% | 10.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.2% | 11.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.0% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.0% | 15.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.3% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.4% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Taylor County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 50.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.8% |
| 60+ min | 9.5% |
Reading the Taylor County data as a borrower
Where the Taylor County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Uninsured care. 11% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 40% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- 52% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Budget math at the Taylor County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Taylor County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Taylor County: $4,089
- Median rent: $988, or 24 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 36% ceiling, about $484 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Florida rules that apply in Taylor County
Consumer lenders serving Taylor County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Florida that is the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. Statewide data and rules: Florida guide.
Checklist for Taylor County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the Florida license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask a Taylor County credit union about member loans.
More guides for Taylor County
For statewide rules and data, see the Florida guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Taylor County earn?
The median is $49,073; 19% earn $100,000 or more and 36% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Taylor County rent compare with Florida?
$988 locally versus $1,669 for the state, 41% below.
I own my home in Taylor County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 76% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Perry?
Yes, along with the other 1 Census place in Taylor County, such as Steinhatchee.
Does living in Taylor County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Taylor County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.