With over 900,000 residents, Jacksonville is the most populous city in Florida. Located along the Atlantic shore, Jacksonville is a hot spot for beach lovers looking to soak in the sun. With its zoo, museums, golf courses, and planetarium, there’s never a shortage of great activities to partake in here. Those who want to live near this great city without being surrounded by so many people have the option of choosing excellent nearby suburbs to call home. We’ve compiled a list of the 10 best suburbs to help inform your decision.
10. Oakleaf Plantation
Population: 20,315
Median Home Value: $211,500
Mean Travel Time to Work: 33 minutes
School Ranking: A-
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 2,336
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 394
Oakleaf Plantation is a planned community located southwest of Jacksonville. Amenities include recreation centers, clubhouses, waterparks and playgrounds. Oakleaf Plantation also resides next to a 20,000-acre state forest, which is perfect for hiking and observing wildlife.
9. Lakeside
Population: 30,943
Median Home Value: $160,000
Mean Travel Time to Work: 31 minutes
School Ranking: A-
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 2,646
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 446
As its name implies, Lakeside lies along the shore of Doctors Lake south of Jacksonville, which means it’s the perfect place to live if you want to spend your days boating and fishing. Aside from waterfront views, Lakeside offers all the other amenities you’d expect in a suburb, such as parks, restaurants, and coffee shops.
8. Yulee
Population: 11,491
Median Home Value: $173,700
Mean Travel Time to Work: 30 minutes
School Ranking: A-
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 178
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 29
Drive 24 miles north of Jacksonville and you’ll find yourself in Yulee. Not only does Yulee have the St. Marys River for all of your boating needs, but multiple coastal beaches are just a short drive away, making this suburb ideal for beach lovers. Additionally, Yulee is home to the White Oak Conservation Center, which spans over 17,000 acres and is dedicated to wildlife conservation. Find your new home in Yulee today!
7. Fernandina Beach
Population: 12,558
Median Home Value: $316,500
Mean Travel Time to Work: 24 minutes
School Ranking: A-
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 280
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 19
Fernandina Beach is located on Amelia Island at the northern tip of Florida, right along the Atlantic coast. If beachside views aren’t enough to tempt you, Fernandina Beach also offers a great education system, golfing, sports amenities and museums. The historic district has rows of restaurants and retail stores to explore as you enjoy the summer sunshine. Your new home in Fernandina Beach is waiting for you!
6. St. Augustine
Population: 15,415
Median Home Value: $260,800
Mean Travel Time to Work: 20 minutes
School Ranking: A-
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 571
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 93
Known as the nation’s oldest city, St. Augustine sits 40 miles southeast of Jacksonville, along the coast. When residents aren’t hitting the beach, they’re exploring the historic downtown with its cafes, bars and antique stores, or perhaps visiting one of the museums. History buffs will enjoy visiting Fort Matanzas, which was built by the Spanish in the 1740s. Homebuilders are hard at work here, so check out what they have to offer!
5. Fleming Island
Population: 27,126
Median Home Value: $255,800
Mean Travel Time to Work: 30 minutes
School Ranking: A
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 307
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 20
Located just southeast of Lakeside, Fleming Island sits along the shore of the St. Johns River. Although Fleming Island is primarily a residential community, it still has all of the amenities you’d look for, including a shopping mall, places of worship and restaurants. Additionally, Fleming Island has multiple parks and recreation centers to enjoy. Search for your new Fleming Island home!
4. Kingsland, Georgia
Population: 17,949
Median Home Value: $147,500
Mean Travel Time to Work: 22 minutes
School Ranking: A
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 227
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 20
Kingsland is 35 miles north of Jacksonville, located just past the Florida-Georgia border. It is home to multiple parks, including the Kingsland Veterans Memorial Park, which features the yearly Memorial Day Parade. The community is also a short drive away from other favorite sights, such as Crooked River State Park and Cumberland Island. Take a look at the homes available in Kingsland.
3. Nocatee
Population: 13,266
Median Home Value: N/A
Mean Travel Time to Work: 33 minutes
School Ranking: A+
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 801
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 135
Nocatee is a planned community primarily within St. Johns County. Home to a wide variety of parks, Nocatee residents can enjoy everything from dog parks to splash parks (which include a zip line). Those seeking additional outdoor adventures can visit the Nocatee Preserve, which encompasses 2,400 acres of open land. Take a look at the new home options available here.
2. Fruit Cove
Population: 29,362
Median Home Value: $325,600
Mean Travel Time to Work: 31 minutes
School Ranking: A+
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,023
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 173
Fruit Cove is located approximately 25 miles south of Jacksonville. Like other suburbs, there’s no shortage of lovely parks here, including Julington Creek Plantation Park. The community is situated along the St. Johns River and Old Bull Bay, providing residents ample choices in waterfront homes and boating opportunities. With a low violent crime rate, Fruit Cove is a great, safe place to call home. Browse the house listings in Fruit Cove!
1. Palm Valley
Population: 20,019
Median Home Value: $461,500
Mean Travel Time to Work: 24 minutes
School Ranking: A+
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 958
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 162
The top suburb on our list is Palm Valley. Located 27 miles southeast of Jacksonville, Palm Valley is close to the Atlantic coast, with beaches only a short drive away; Mickler’s Landing is a local favorite! Palm Valley also has a wide variety of restaurants, shops and parks to be enjoyed. With a low violent crime rating and short mean travel time to work, why wouldn’t you want to live here?
Additional Suburbs
| Suburb | Pop. | Median Home Value | Mean Travel to Work | School Rank | Property Crimes | Violent Crimes |
| Jacksonville Beach | 23,669 | $348,100 | 23 minutes | B+ | 915 | 143 |
| Middleburg | 13,008 | $126,800 | 41 minutes | B+ | 247 | 55 |
| Atlantic Beach | 13,831 | $353,500 | 27 minutes | B | 246 | 30 |
| Palatka | 10,465 | $78,100 | 19 minutes | C | 630 | 110 |
| Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace | 13,343 | $120,600 | 26 minutes | N/A | 2,823 | 476 |
| St. Marys, Georgia | 18,567 | $180,100 | 22 minutes | B- | 170 | 14 |
It’s Easier Here
With its sandy beaches, palm trees and golfing opportunities, Florida is a popular place to retire. However, plenty of families seek to move to the state every year to enjoy these very same features. It’s truly easy living in Florida, including in and around a big city like Jacksonville.
NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. These factors were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each suburb.
Other Florida Resources
Your Complete Relocation Guide to Punta Gorda, FL
The complete guide to relocating to Melbourne, FL
Best Small Cities for Retirees in Florida
10 Healthiest Cities in Florida
The Top 10 Best Places to Live in Florida
Cost to Build a House in Florida
10 Most Affordable Cities in Florida
Complete Guide to Closing Costs in Florida
The 10 Best Places to Retire in Florida
Popular Master Planned Communities in Tampa
Master Planned Communities Near Orlando, Florida
The Best Suburbs Near Melbourne, Florida
Best Modular Home Builders in Florida
Best Tiny Home Builders in Florida
2021 Best Suburbs Surrounding Miami
2021 Best Suburbs Surrounding Sarasota, Florida
First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Florida
Sarah Scott
Sarah graduated from Trinity University in 2012 with a degree in International Relations and Political Science. She writes blogs on new homes, decor, communities, and more for NewHomeSource. When she's not writing, you can find her spending time with her three cats.