Are you visiting the Jacksonville area or thinking about making Jacksonville your new home? As amazing as the city is, Florida’s First Coast has many other charming cities and towns worth exploring.
There are dozens of cities near Jacksonville FL ranging from amenity-packed master-planned communities and luxury golf resorts to quiet, historic cities and beach towns. Here’s a look at the many cities and towns near Jacksonville Florida within a 35-mile radius in Duval, Nassau, St. Johns, Clay, and Baker counties.
There are nine cities near Jacksonville within a 35-mile radius with a population of at least 20,000, although not even the largest have more than 34,000 people.
Seven of these cities aren’t actually incorporated cities or towns – they’re unincorporated communities or CDPs. That doesn’t mean much as a visitor, but as a resident, that means services are provided by the county and/or neighboring communities. That includes park services and school districts.
Jacksonville Beach is the nearest city to Jacksonville Florida with a population of at least 20,000. Nestled on Florida's northeastern coast, it’s a quintessential beach town that encapsulates the charm of the Sunshine State. Boasting miles of wide, sandy beaches, it's a haven for water enthusiasts and known for its prime conditions for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing.
Beyond its stunning shoreline, Jacksonville Beach is also home to a vibrant arts scene with numerous galleries. The Beaches Museum is a fun museum focusing on the history of Northeast Florida.
The iconic Jacksonville Beach Pier extends nearly a quarter mile into the ocean and provides spectacular views and fishing opportunities. It’s also home to Adventure Landing, a family-friendly amusement park with water slides, mini-golf, and go-karts.
Check out what living in Jacksonville Beach is really like with our complete guide.
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Oakleaf Plantation is a bustling community with a blend of residential life and lush natural landscapes, making it an appealing destination if you want to enjoy the quieter side of the Jacksonville area. It’s one of the largest cities close to Jacksonville FL even though it’s not an incorporated community.
This family-friendly locale is known for its sprawling parks and well-maintained recreational facilities, including the Oakleaf Village Athletic Center, which offers sports fields and courts for a variety of activities. A key attraction here is the Jennings State Forest, a vast expanse of protected woodland that invites nature enthusiasts for hiking, bird watching, and exploring Florida’s diverse ecosystems.
Lakeside, a serene city near Jacksonville Florida, offers residents and visitors a peaceful retreat with its scenic views and relaxed atmosphere. This area is celebrated for its natural beauty, featuring numerous parks and lakes that provide the perfect backdrop for outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking, and picnicking. Among its top attractions is the majestic Doctors Lake, a popular spot for boating and water sports, not to mention breathtaking sunsets.
Lakeside’s blend of natural attractions and community-oriented spaces makes it an inviting destination for families and outdoor lovers alike.
Fleming Island isn’t actually a city or even an island, but this unincorporated community is one of the most desirable suburbs of Jacksonville. It’s also one of the largest cities surrounding Jacksonville FL with nearly 30,000 residents.
Fleming Island packs a rich blend of leisure activities, verdant landscapes, and community spirit just 21 miles from downtown Jacksonville. It’s known for its world-class golf courses. Fleming Island Golf Club is open to golf enthusiasts of all skill levels. The sprawling 3,000-acre Eagle Harbor planned golf community features an award-winning 18-hole golf course amid 60-foot pine trees plus an expansive water park for families.
Find out more about Fleming Island and what living in this beautiful suburb is really like.
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Fruit Cove, situated along the eastern bank of the St. Johns River, is a picturesque community known for its lush landscapes and tranquil living environment. It’s also the closest city to Jacksonville FL in St. Johns County. This idyllic suburb is celebrated for its top-notch schools and scenery, making it an attractive location for families and retirees alike.
Fruit Cove’s biggest draw is the Alpine Groves Park with over 50 acres of recreation and open space. The dog-friendly park features a fishing pier, boating, freshwater creeks, and butterfly gardens. The local Julington Creek Plantation Park is popular with families with a large playground and a golf course.
The nearby Julington Creek Marina provides boating enthusiasts with access to the expansive and scenic St. Johns River, offering a perfect setting for water sports, fishing, or simply enjoying a serene sunset over the water.
Is living in Fruit Cove right for you? Check out our full guide to this wonderful suburb.
Palm Valley is one of the most unique large towns around Jacksonville FL. For most of its history, it was a tucked-away community in the swampy land between St. Augustine and Jacksonville, split by the Intracoastal Waterway with a two-lane drawbridge. It’s faced significant development in recent years. One of the latest editions is the Palm Valley Bridge replacing the old drawbridge.
Even though it’s not an incorporated city, there are half a dozen formal neighborhoods in Palm Valley. The most well-known is a portion of the Sawgrass community. As golf courses and new home communities have started to pop up in Palm Valley, the community has also grown wealthier. The median household income was $68,200 in 2000, which rose to $84,275 in 2007. As of the 2020 census, the community has a median household income of $118,250, far higher than the Jacksonville metro median of $77,500.
Nocatee is one of America’s best-selling master-planned communities with new neighborhoods that opened in 2023 and 2024. This 6,000-acre development, while unincorporated, is one of the largest towns near Jacksonville and one of the best suburbs for families.
Nocatee combines modern living with a strong emphasis on outdoor activities and green spaces. At the heart of this community is the Nocatee Splash Water Park, a family favorite known for its thrilling water slides, lazy river, and splash pad, all designed to provide endless fun under the sun. The resort-style water playground is open only to Nocatee residents and their guests.
The community is also home to the Nocatee Preserve, a sprawling 2,400-acre natural retreat along the Intracoastal Waterway perfect for hiking, kayaking, and wildlife observation.
With its blend of recreational amenities, eco-friendly initiatives, and family-friendly subdivisions, Nocatee offers a great blend of suburban charm and natural wonder. Learn more about what living in Nocatee is really like!
World Golf Village is one of the most unique cities near Jacksonville and a top destination for golf enthusiasts and families alike. The community surrounds the King & Bear and Slammer & Squire golf courses, two award-winning championship golf courses. The King & Bear is the world’s only course co-designed by legends Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. It’s the official golf course of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
There are about 20 neighborhoods in World Golf Village with homes set amid the verdant courses and nature preserves. Homes range from the $200s to more than $2 million including condos, patio homes, and custom estate homes.
The final location on this list of nine large cities outside Jacksonville FL with more than 20,000 people is also one of just two that is actually a city. Fernandina Beach is Florida’s northernmost city on the Atlantic and located on Amelia Island. It’s is part of the rapidly growing Nassau County, anticipated to grow another 45% by 2035.
What makes the city and greater Nassau County region of Jacksonville so desirable? It's home to one of the best school districts in the state with beautiful master-planned communities, sandy beaches, and plentiful job opportunities.
Renowned for its picturesque beaches and vibrant historic district, Fernandina Beach boasts a wealth of activities and attractions. A landmark of the city is Fort Clinch State Park, where history enthusiasts can explore a well-preserved 19th-century fort set against the backdrop of scenic shoreline and dense coastal forests. The 1,400-acre park is a gorgeous backdrop for hiking, camping, and hunting for shark teeth.
Main Beach Park is Amelia Island’s most-visited beach with sand volleyball, a shaded playground, and a wooden boardwalk. Another must-visit spot is the Amelia Island Lighthouse, Florida’s oldest lighthouse, offering guided tours that provide insight into its storied past.
With its beautiful beaches, compelling history, and welcoming community, Fernandina Beach is truly one of the best places to visit near Jacksonville FL.
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Along with the nine larger communities above, there are six Jacksonville towns and cities with a population of 10,000 to 20,000.
This short list includes some great highlights. Atlantic Beach is part of the desirable and fast-growing area known as “The Beaches” or the “Jacksonville Beaches.” Along with Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach, these communities are on the northern part of the barrier island and separated from Jacksonville by the Intracoastal Waterway. It’s one of the most visited areas in Florida’s First Coast region with gorgeous beaches, parks, and resorts.
The unassuming suburb of Yulee is expected to grow rapidly over the next few years thanks to the large Wildlight master-planned community. The development has started with 4,200 acres but will eventually sprawl over 24,000 acres to include medical facilities, shopping centers, light industrial facilities, and additional schools.
If you’re looking for lake towns near Jacksonville Florida without turning to one of the many sprawling master-planned communities in the area, Lake Asbury is a great choice. This community isn’t planned; it’s made up of many neighborhoods surrounding three lakes. The oldest of the neighborhoods, Glenhaven, features 400 homes built in the early 2000s. The newest neighborhood is Rolling Hills with single-family homes in the high $300s to low $400s.
Kingsland, Georgia, is the closest Georgia city near Jacksonville. This coastal city is a gateway to the outdoors and close to attractions like Crooked River State Park, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, and the Cumberland Island National Seashore.
| Cities Around Jacksonville Florida Population of 10,000 to 20,000 Within 35 Miles |
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| Community | Type | County | Population | Miles from Jacksonville |
| Atlantic Beach | City | Duval | 13,513 | 16.2 mi |
| Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace | CDP | Clay | 14,482 | 17.4 mi |
| Yulee | CDP | Nassau | 14,195 | 23.7 mi |
| Asbury Lake | CDP | Clay | 11,036 | 29.2 mi |
| Middleburg | CDP | Clay | 12,881 | 29.5 mi |
| Kingsland, GA | City | Camden | 18,837 | 35.8 mi |
Small Cities & Towns Near Jacksonville FL
Finally, there are 12 small towns and cities close to Jacksonville Florida, with a population under 10,000.
The largest of these small towns around Jacksonville FL is Orange Park. Close to the big city, it’s nestled between Doctors Lake and St. Johns River, with fantastic outdoor amenities and historic attractions. Residents love the Orange Park Farmers’ & Arts Market and Clarke House Park. This historical gem set amidst sprawling oak trees features a circa-1900 home, lake, gardens, and a playground.
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Small Cities Near Jacksonville FL |
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| Community | Type | County | Population | Miles from Jacksonville |
| Orange Park | Town | Clay | 9,089 | 15.5 mi |
| Nassau Village-Ratliff | CDP | Nassau | 5,561 | 16.2 mi |
| Neptune Beach | City | Duval | 7,217 | 16.7 mi |
| Callahan | Town | Nassau | 1,526 | 20.1 mi |
| Baldwin | Town | Duval | 1,396 | 21.3 mi |
| Sawgrass | CDP | St. Johns | 5,395 | 24.6 mi |
| Green Cove Springs | City | Clay | 9,786 | 27.9 mi |
| Macclenny | City | Baker | 7,304 | 29.7 mi |
| Hilliard | Town | Nassau | 2,967 | 30.9 mi |
| Glen St. Mary | Town | Baker | 463 | 32.3 mi |
| St. George, GA | CCD | Charlton | 2,237 | 32.4 mi |
| Penney Farms | Town | Clay | 821 | 33.6 mi |
Major Cities Near Jacksonville, FL
Situated near the Atlantic coast in Northeast Florida, Jacksonville is one of the major cities of the Southeast. It’s just 12 miles from the Georgia state line and within 400 miles of 10 major cities of the Southeast, including the largest cities in Florida and Atlanta, Georgia.
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Major Cities Near Jacksonville Florida |
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| City | Population | Miles from Jacksonville |
| Gainesville, FL | 141,000 | 72 miles |
| Savannah, GA | 148,000 | 139 miles |
| Orlando, FL | 308,000 | 141 miles |
| Tallahassee, FL | 196,000 | 164 miles |
| Tampa, FL | 385,000 | 200 miles |
| Charleston, SC | 150,000 | 238 miles |
| Atlanta, GA | 499,000 | 346 miles |
| Miami, FL | 442,000 | 350 miles |
| Montgomery, AL | 201,000 | 360 miles |
| Mobile, AL | 187,000 | 404 miles |
Does settling down in the First Coast region sound like a dream come true? If you are ready to call one of these amazing cities near Jacksonville Florida home, the 5-star movers at Skinner Moving & Storage are ready to help. Call our team today at (904) 730-1545 to get started with your free, personalized moving estimate and the superior customer service you deserve!
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