Fernandina Beach and Jacksonville Beach receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Measured values
| Metric | Fernandina Beach | Jacksonville Beach | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,420 | 23,654 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $97,903 | $120,698 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $65,868 | $79,262 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,133/sq mi | 3,233/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $555,400 | $575,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,259 | $1,848 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 80.5% | 68.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 4.9% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.5% | -0.5% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 53.3% | 59.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.3% | 4.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 55 | 86 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 4.1 | 3.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -46.6% | 56.4% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 89°F | 91°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 43°F | 45°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 47.2" | 51.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 18 mi | 22 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 23.5 min | 24.5 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 58.6 | 46.1 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 7 | 4 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 16.33 | 20.04 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 70.7% | 77.3% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 68.5% | 74.5% | 2019-20 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 35.7% | 22.9% | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Fernandina Beach
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane, wildfire, coastal flooding.
Jacksonville Beach
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Your best match
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Full profiles: Fernandina Beach, FL · Jacksonville Beach, FL · How this is calculated: methodology