About Jacksonville
Start Here.
Go Anywhere.
At the Jacksonville Public Library.
Population
City/County: 778,879
Metropolitan area: over 1,000,000
Jacksonville has a Consolidated City/County government, making it the largest city by area in the contintental US at 840 square miles.
Climate
The Northeast Florida climate is mild with seasonal changes. The average annual temperature for Jacksonville is between 68 and 69 degrees. Jacksonville has the lowest occurence of hurricanes in the state. There is a 4% chance of experiencing a tropical storm and less than a 1% chance of experiencing a severe storm. For more information about Jacksonville's climate, see NOAA's Climate Page.
Cost of Living
Jacksonville is the most affordable major city in Florida, according to a report released by the American Chambers of Commerce Research Association. See "River City measures up well in cost index" (Florida Times-Union article published 02/07/2001) for more information about Jacksonville's cost of living.
Jacksonville also has one of the lowest tax loads in the country. According to a 2004 national survey conducted by the District of Columbia's Department of Finance and Revenue, the estimated state and local taxes paid by a family of four is 5%, the fourth lowest tax load of all the cities surveyed.
Education
Within Jacksonville are several outstanding institutes of higher learning including two private colleges (Jacksonville University and Edward Waters College), Florida State College at Jacksonville, University of North Florida, and Florida Coastal School of Law.
Stanton College Preparatory School, a local magnet school, was named the Number One Public School in the Nation by Newsweek in March 2000. Paxon School for Advanced Studies was Number Seven.
Transportation
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority offers transportation services including bus shuttles, Bikes on Buses, Park-N-Ride lots and a downtown Skyway system.
According to a TRIP (The Road Information Program) research report, Jacksonville ranks third best for condition of roads in a major metropolitan area in the country (criteria being 75% of the area's roads are in good condition). See "Bumpy Roads Ahead: Cities with the Roughest Rides and Strategies to Make our Roads Smoother" for comparisons.
Better Jacksonville Plan
Jacksonville has made great progress toward completing The Better Jacksonville Plan, a $2.25 billion comprehensive growth management strategy that provides road and infrastructure improvements, environmental preservation and targeted economic development, and new and improved public facilities.
Recreation and Entertainment
Numerous museums and other organizations provide educational and entertainment opportunities, including Cummer Art Museum & Gardens, Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville (MOCAJAX), Museum of Science and History (MOSH), Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (JSO), The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, Jacksonville Zoological Gardens, and St. Johns River City Band.
Jacksonville is the home of the National Football League's Jacksonville Jaguars, the annual PGA Tournament Players Championship, and the Jacksonville Suns (Southern League Baseball).
Jacksonville is now home to the largest urban park system in the United States. Abundant natural resources in Northeast Florida offer many recreational opportunities. Miles of sandy beaches, beautiful tidal marshes, the mighty St. Johns River and its tributaries all provide opportunities for swimming, surfing, boating, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking.
To learn more about Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, visit the Jacksonville and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau and the City of Jacksonville's Visitor Information websites. You can also check out our listing of recommended website at Jacksonville on the Web.
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