Palatka, FL

Florida

Palatka is a small city in Florida with a population of 10,558. Residents earn $33,628 per year, which is 55% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
10,558 Population 1,072/sq mi density
$33,628 Median Income $19,217 per capita
$112,300 Home Value $204,123 Zillow
$914 Median Rent
70°F Avg Temperature
640 Violent Crime/100K 5,263 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$33,628 median income, 3.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$112,300 home value, $914/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
640 violent crimes/100K (68% above avg)
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $33,628
55% lower than US avg
Home Value $112,300
60% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 640/100K
68% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.1%
64% lower than US avg
Median Rent $914
21% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.4%
20% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.1%
14% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 29.4%
137% higher than US avg

How Palatka Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population10,558
Median Age37.0 yrs
Density1,072/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 47%

Economy

C
Median Income$33,628
Per Capita$19,217
Unemployment3.1%
Poverty29.4%
County GDP$3,499M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$112,300
Rent$914
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$204,123

Crime

F
Violent640/100K
Property5,263/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault478/100K
Burglary1,022/100K

Health

Obesity38.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.0%
Heart Disease8.1%

Climate

Avg Temp70°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain51.4 in/yr
Elevation67 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+12.1%
High School+79.3%
School Score5.60

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 26%
Commute23 min
EV Stations6
Libraries5

Is Palatka a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Palatka receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Palatka has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Palatka is $33,628, 55% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.1%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 29.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Palatka is $112,300, 60% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $914 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 640 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,263 per 100,000, 169% above the national average.

Education

12.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 79.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Palatka enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 70°F. Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Palatka has a population of 10,558 with a density of 1,072 people per square mile. The median age is 37.0 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (46.8%), with 1.1% Hispanic, 44.7% Black.

Population

10,558
Total Population
1,072
People / sq mi
37.0yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
9.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.7%
Female 55.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Palatka vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.0%
20% above US avg
Spanish6.0%
55% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Palatka vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Palatka is $33,628, which is 55% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 29.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Palatka vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$33,628
55% below US avg
Per Capita Income$19,217
Avg Weekly Wage$992
IRS Avg AGI$51,965

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.1%
14% below US avg
Poverty Rate29.4%
137% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,593
County GDP$3,499M

Business (County)

Restaurants116
Healthcare154
Retail209
Manufacturing40

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,798
37% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.27%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.3 min
Work from Home4.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Palatka is $112,300, 60% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $914 (21% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $204,123.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$112,300
60% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$204,123
Median List Price$249,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$249,000
$/Sq Ft$166
Homes Sold7
Sale-to-List Ratio93.6%
Price Drops32.2%
Inventory59

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$914
21% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,367

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,212
1 Bedroom$1,296
2 Bedrooms$1,526
3 Bedrooms$1,971
4 Bedrooms$2,261

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied46.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,798
37% above US avg
Effective Rate4.27%
In Palatka, 38.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.0% report depression. 36.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Palatka vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.4%
20% above US avg
Diabetes17.1%
Heart Disease8.1%
High Blood Pressure41.5%
Asthma12.4%
COPD11.6%
Stroke5.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking12.9%
Physical Inactivity36.8%
Depression20.0%
Mental Distress23.2%
Physical Distress19.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.2%
Checkup Rate77.3%
Premature Death15,843/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.0/10
Exercise Access56.5%
Healthcare Facilities154
Palatka has a violent crime rate of 640 per 100,000 residents, 68% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,263 per 100,000 (169% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Palatka vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent640.0/100K
68% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery162.4/100K
Assault477.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,263.2/100K
169% above US avg
Burglary1,022.1/100K
Theft4,174.2/100K
Vehicle Theft66.9/100K
Arson19.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)32

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Palatka has an average annual temperature of 70°F (21°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 51.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

56°F Jan (13°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average70.0°F
30% above US avg
January Average56°F (13°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.4 inches
35% above US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation67 ft (20 m)
Area9.9 sq mi (25.5 km²)
Population Density1,072/sq mi
Coordinates29.6449°N, 81.6767°W
County FIPS12107
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 12.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (64% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 47.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.6%
D 25.8%

Winner: Republican by 47.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.1%
64% below US avg
High School+79.3%
School Test Score5.60
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,072/sq mi
Total Area9.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations6
Alt Fuel Stations7
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities154
Restaurants116
Retail Stores209

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)32
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.3 min
Work from Home4.9%

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