Moving to & Living in Jacksonville, FL
Wade Skinner
Wade Skinner

Living in Jacksonville Beach 🐚☀️ | Tips + Guide to Moving to Jacksonville Beach FL

Jacksonville Beach, FL is a coastal resort city on the Northern Atlantic Coastline of Florida. Jax Beach, Fla, was incorporated as Pablo Beach in 1907 but later changed its name to Jacksonville Beach in 1925. Jacksonville Beach is known for its gorgeous beaches, luxury golf courses, and picturesque views from the Jacksonville Beach Pier. In this coastal town, you can expect a variety of aquatic activities, including surfing, fishing, and swimming.

The beaches in and near Jacksonville Beach are rated as some of the nicest in Florida! While the water isn’t crystal clear, that’s not to say it isn’t beautiful. Although the rip currents are stronger on the East Coast, the risk level of the rip currents on Jax Beach is typically low, meaning it’s a very safe place to swim and is dog-friendly. The motto of Jacksonville Beach is “It’s easier here,” meaning it is a very relaxed, good place to live!

Where is Jacksonville Beach?

Jacksonville Beach is located in Duval County and is a suburb of the Jacksonville Metropolitan Area. Many homes are nestled along the sandy shorelines, alongside the sound of crashing waves.

Jax Beach, Florida is located near numerous Florida attractions:

  • St. Augustine is 29.4 miles from Jacksonville Beach
  • It’s 89.6 miles from Daytona to Jacksonville Beach
  • Jacksonville Beach is 17 miles from Jacksonville, FL

Neptune Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach border the city of Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach is nearby.

Jacksonville Beach Population and Demographics

The population of the city of Jacksonville Beach is 23,830, compared to its 2010 population of 21,362; it’s the 2nd largest city in Duval County and has the 2nd highest median income, which is $99,933.

Notable People:

Demographics:

  • Median age: 49.1
  • Sex demographics: 53% male, 47% female
  • Racial make-up: 91.7% White (87.6% non-Hispanic), 5.4% Hispanic, 4.3% two or more races, 1.9% Asian, and 1.4% Black or African American
  • Foreign-born population: 6%
  • Education attainment: 96.2% have high school diplomas, and 58.1% have bachelor's degrees

According to the FBI, the crime rate in Jacksonville Beach is 3,557 per 100k people, 65.2% higher than the state and 51.6% higher than the country. The crime rate in Florida is 2,153 per 100k people, and the US violent crime rate is 2,346 per 100k people.

  • Jacksonville Beach violent crime rate: 540 per 100k people
  • Florida's violent crime rate: 384 per 100k people
  • US violent crime rate: 388 per 100k people
  • Jacksonville Beach property crime rate: 3,017 per 100k people
  • Florida’s property crime rate: 1,769 per 100k people
  • US property crime rate: 1,958 per 100k people

Although the Jacksonville Beach crime rate is higher than the state’s, that’s not to say there aren’t plenty of safe neighborhoods in Jacksonville Beach. It’s also important to keep in mind that crime rate stats aren’t the most accurate and don’t clearly indicate an area's overall safety.

The Police Department of Jacksonville Beach has 67 dedicated officers protecting its citizens.

Cost of Living in Jacksonville Beach

The cost of living in the city of Jacksonville Beach is lower than most coastal cities. According to Payscale, the COLI (Cost of Living Index) is 107, only 7% higher than the national average. 

For a family of four to live comfortably in Duval County, the Economic Policy Institute recommends an income of $77,179.

Typical Jacksonville Beach Living Expenses:

  • Loaf of bread: $3.79
  • Gallon of milk: $2.38
  • Carton of eggs: $2.20
  • Hamburger: $5.02
  • Average Jacksonville Beach utilities per month: $293

Source: Payscale

The Jacksonville Beach housing market is 55% more expensive than the national average, which is considered competitive. According to RentCafe, the average rent in Jacksonville Beach, FL, is $1,951 for a 1,033-square-foot rental.

The average house price is $605,000, which is equivalent to $410 a square foot. While the median home price is $605,000, plenty of attractive, affordable options exist. House hunting can feel daunting; here are a few beautiful Jacksonville Beach houses for sale to help you narrow down your choices!

Jacksonville Beach Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Jacksonville Beach

With countless neighborhoods any avid beach-goer would love to reside in, here are the slices of shore we suggest staking your claim.

The Beaches | Family-friendly Jacksonville Beach neighborhood

While Jax Beach, Florida, comprises multiple beach communities, The Beaches is among the most popular. It’s near numerous delicious eateries like Tokyo Ramen & Poké and ABBQ, and the neighborhood is less than half a mile from the ocean and family-friendly parks like Jarboe Park. 

The home prices are typical of any ocean-front community and typically will have a higher price point The homes in The Beaches are mid-size, typically one story, and sometimes placed on stilts to avoid potential flooding. They offer a coastal feel, emphasizing natural wood accents and pastel colors.

The Beach House Apartments | Ideal for young adults

The Beach House Apartments are ideal for younger adults or families. Positioned off 90, the area is a commuter's dream and is also located a few blocks from the #1 ranked elementary school in Florida, Jacksonville Beach Elementary. This neighborhood is one of the best places to live in Jacksonville Beach!

Atlantic Shores | Waterfront properties

Atlantic shores gained its name due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean – some homes in this desirable community have the ocean nearly in their backyard. This unique Jacksonville Beach real estate embodies a coastal ambiance, and you’ll find various nearby yoga studios like Pure Bar,  as well as numerous coffee shops like Cinotti's Bakery. With the entire ocean as your playground, you’ll never grow tired of living in this ocean-front neighborhood.

Jacksonville Beach Weather & Climate

Jacksonville Beach weather is like more coastal Florida cities. Expect humidity, lots of rain in the summer, mild winters, and sunshine all year round! According to its KĂśppen classification, the Jacksonville Beach, FL, weather is considered humid subtropical. The average temperature is 84 degrees in the warm season and 69 in the cold season. The annual rainfall in Jacksonville Beach is 42.3 inches; the annual snowfall is 0 inches.

The best time to visit Jax Beach, Florida, is March to late May or early October to mid-November. March and May provide optimal weather—the temperatures are warm, and the sun is always shining, minus the congestion and large crowds of summertime. The same goes for October to November. Temperatures begin to dip in October, and the crowds are minimal, making rates more affordable.

It’s important to note Jacksonville Beach is prone to hurricanes. 100 miles off Jax Beach is one of the most frequent areas in the Atlantic Basins hurricanes move to.

Thing To Do in Jacksonville Beach

Aside from the numerous Jacksonville beaches, there are many other things to do in Jacksonville Beach. Get too hot in the FL sun? Cool down at the South Beach Parkway Plaza or South Beach Regional indoor shopping mall.

South Beach Park and Sunshine Playground

Take a break from surfing the sea and hop on the half-pipe! South Beach and Sunshine Playground are one of Jacksonville Beach’s favorite parks and the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors (aside from the beach).

2514 S Beach Pkwy, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, (904) 247-6100

Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier

There are many activities in Jacksonville Beach, FL, but a local favorite is hanging at the Jax Beach pier. Whether you throw a cast or two, go on a romantic sunset date, or are looking for a family-friendly activity, Jacksonville Beach Pier is the spot! Jax Beach Pier has an excellent beach boardwalk with a variety of activities and accommodations. Enjoy a morning stroll on the beach or a relaxed bike along First Street.

Locals tip: there is a $2 admission to walk on the boardwalk and a $5 admission to fish.

503 1st St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, (904) 372-0798

Adventure Landing Jacksonville Beach

Adventure Landing Jacksonville is a top-notch waterpark and is one of the top attractions in Jacksonville Beach. It’s great for birthday parties, get-togethers, or casual family outings.

1944 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, (904) 246-4386

Additional attractions in Jacksonville Beach

The parks and beaches in Jacksonville Beach, FL, wouldn’t be as enjoyable without the dedicated Jacksonville Beach Parks and Recreation department. You can easily keep up with upcoming Jax beach events with the special events calendar!

Jacksonville Beach Restaurants

Best known for their seafood eateries, Jacksonville Beach restaurants won’t disappoint. Here are the best restaurants in Jax Beach!

Dockside Seafood Restaurant Jax Beach

Looking for Jacksonville Beach seafood restaurants worth trying? Enjoy intracoastal views amid sipping a refreshing cocktail at Dockside. Locals and tourists alike consider the smoked fish dip, grouper, and oysters at dockside the best in the area!

2510 2nd Ave N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, (904) 479-3474

The Bearded Pig - Jax Beach

The Bearded Pig is an excellent option to switch it up. Home to some of the best BBQs along the coast, this Jax Beach favorite serves up homemade cornbread paired with your choice of juicy pork, brisket, or ribs.

1700 3rd St S, Jacksonville, FL 32250, (904) 518-3915

Dwight's Bistro

Dwight’s is one of the most romantic restaurants in Jacksonville Beach. Enjoy their selection of Italian, Mediterranean, and French cuisine, including their highly renowned veal piccata, lamb chops, and fettuccine carbonara.

1527 Penman Rd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, (904) 241-4496

Jobs in Jacksonville Beach

The unemployment rate in Jacksonville Beach is 4.8, well below the US average of 6.0. The city of Jax Beach has a thriving economy with a job market increase of 2.7% since 2021 and a projected growth of 44.4% by 2033. The average hourly rate is $20 per hour, and the largest industries are accommodations and food services, health care, technical services, retail trade, and finance and insurance.

A few major employers are Amazon, Bank of America, and Mayo Clinic, and many residents commute to work.

We know job searching in a new city can feel overwhelming; if you’re looking for a new career, browse jobs in Jacksonville Beach, FL, and the City of Jacksonville Beach jobs.

Do you plan to work in any of these professions? Take a look at the average salary by job title.

  • Operations Manager: $71,546
  • Project Manager: $79,183
  • Mechanical Engineer: $67,636
  • Software Engineer: $82,651
  • Software Developer: $69,894
  • Office Manager: $51,909
  • Director of Operations: $87,359

Source: PayScale

Jacksonville Beach Schools

Jacksonville Beach is part of the Duval County school district. The city of Jax Beach has numerous top-rated schools in the nation!

Catch up on your studies or reading at Beaches Branch Library, which serves Jax Beach, Florida, and surrounding areas.

Jacksonville Beach Statistics & Information

  • County: Duval County
  • Jacksonville Beach Area: 22 square miles
  • Jacksonville Beach Zip Code: 32240, 32250
  • Jacksonville Beach Area Code: 904
  • Jacksonville Elevation: 10’
  • Jacksonville Time Zone: Eastern Daylight Time (GMT-4)
  • The closest airport to Jacksonville Beach: is Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), which is 31.2 miles from Jacksonville Beach

Map of Jacksonville Beach

Jacksonville Beach is one of the best beaches in Jacksonville and is a great place to live! Before moving to Jacksonville Beach, you’ll need top-rated Jacksonville Beach movers to help. Skinner Moving can make your relocation endeavor stress-free and affordable. If you’re considering

 

 

 

Wade Skinner
Wade Skinner
Hi my name is Wade Skinner, President and co-owner of Skinner Moving & Storage. As a family owned and operated business and a 5th generation Jacksonville family, we believe every customer should be treated like family. We live our Mission Statement and Core Values. This is the Skinner difference!

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