Saint Augustine might feel like a small beach town in North Florida. But over the years, this popular tourist destination has grown into a busy suburb with the attractions and amenities of a larger city. Although St. Augustine has a population of around 15,600, the area hosts over 2 million annual visitors who come to explore its Spanish Renaissance architecture, historical sites and walkable downtown. Colonized by the Spanish in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied city in the United States. Historical buildings, museums and parks, most of which are downtown, showcase the area’s origins. The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, a fortress built from coquina limestone, dates to the 1600s. On Anastasia Island , a late-1800 lighthouse still stands a few hundred yards off the coast. “After I retired from the Navy, I would often visit Northeast Florida. I always remembered the breeze coming off the ocean,” says Sam Webber, a broker with Farrell International Realty, who lives nearby. “I’ve moved a dozen times for the military, but there’s no place like St. Augustine. It’s a good place to visit and a better place to live.”
With a median age of 48, many people retire here. Younger residents often work in the local tourism industry or the nearby Northrop Grumman aircraft production facility or commute to Jacksonville, 40 miles away. “The area has a higher population of retired folks. They like it here because of the weather, and we have a lot of programs for seniors. It’s an awesome resource,” Webber says. The Council on Aging is a partially state-funded nonprofit that offers community centers as well as meal and transport services. Webber says that the area also attracts families and retired military. “Compared to other coastal areas, the region is more affordable, and the market is good here,” Webber says. “Many of my clients also come for the St. Johns County School District.” Communities 15 miles outside of the city proper can still have a St. Augustine mailing address, aside from those inside the city of St. Augustine Beach. Anastasia Island is home to more coastal communities to the south, including Crescent and Butler Beaches. West St. Augustine, and much of St. Johns County, has been the focus of major commercial and residential development over the last 10 years.
Historic Downtown is just a quick trip over the Bridge of Lions in Anastasia Island.
Surf like the locals in St Augustine Beach.
You can find one-story, ranch-style homes in the St. Augustine South Shores neighborhood.
Head up the stares to see unique views at the Lighthouse Anniversary.
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St. Augustine offers Queen Annes, bungalows and waterfront homes
St. Augustine is known for the Spanish Renaissance architecture of Flagler College and the Casa Monica Resort and Spa. However, most homes near the Saint Augustine Historic District and Lincolnville are cottages, Queen Anne or Frame Vernacular styles with front porches. Midcentury modern, ranch-styles and bungalows are common in Anastasia Island neighborhoods. West Augustine offers contemporary homes and midcentury bungalows; over half of listings are residences built over the last ten years. The median single-family home price in St. Augustine is $516,106, higher than the national average of around $422,100. Buyers can expect to pay more for residences in the Historic District and properties near the water. Homes are less expensive to the north and west of downtown. Typically, houses can leave the market anywhere from $325,000 to $3.5 million, depending on the build date and location. Condos and townhouses can range between $300,000 and $1.2 million. Homes in nearby communities like Vilano Beach and St. Augustine Beach are generally higher in price, while West Augustine residences are lower.
Queen Anne homes are an easy find in Saint Augustine.
Colorful Bungalows paint Saint Augustine, whether beach or city side.
Find home in the brick homes of St Augustine South Shores.
Water front homes are your dream come true in Saint Augustine.
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Conserving history and nature in northern Florida
The waterside city has several marinas, fishing piers and boat ramps along the San Sebastion and Matanzas rivers. Over half of St. Augustine’s residents are within a 10-minute walk of one of the city’s 28 urban parks. There are historical spaces like Fort Mose Historic State Park in North City and the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. Kid-friendly parks include the Project SWING Playground and the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. The 1,600-acre preserve, Anastasia State Park, is another popular recreational destination. Fish Island Preserve is the city’s newest recreational spot; originally the site of Florida’s first orange grove, the 59-acre preserve is now home to waterfront hiking trails and untouched salt marshes. Vilano Beach and St. Augustine Beach provide public beach access 5 miles away.
Grab a bite from the food trucks at English Landing Marina in West Augustine.
Enjoy beautiful views of the marsh at the Fort Mose First Harvest.
Step into the historic Castillo de San Marcos in Saint Augustine
Head to the Alligator Farm in Saint Augustine for your photo op and a lesson in reptiles.
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St. Augustine's transportation challenge
Many historic houses of worship are downtown, including Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine and Memorial Presbyterian Church. St. Augustine's main highways are Route 1 and Route A1A, a state scenic highway that crosses the Bridge of Lions over the Matanzas River; Interstate 95 is about 10 miles west. Commuters should expect congestion during peak driving times, especially on A1A and Interstate 95. The Historic District is walkable, but its narrow one-way streets make driving and parking a challenge. The Sunshine Bus Company, a public bus serving all of St. Johns County, has two routes through the city, and cycling is popular despite the lack of bike lanes. The Northeast Florida Regional Airport, 5 miles away, has flights to nearby airports in Orlando and Jacksonville, as well as direct flights to U.S. cities like Newark and Portland, Maine; the Jacksonville International Airport is a 55-mile drive away. “There’s so many subdivisions coming to St. Johns County, and it’s almost outpacing the infrastructure; people are moving in, and we always have roads being widened to accommodate the growth,” Webber says. The city’s 2040 Mobility Plan aims to reduce the area's reliance on cars by adding more sidewalks, bike lanes and public transportation.
Enjoy the history and culture of the area at the St Augustine Romanza Festival.
Memorial Presbyterian Church boasts beautiful architecture and location in Saint Augustine.
Take a quick trip from the Northeast Regional Airport in Saint Augustine.
Use the bus in Lincolnville to get to surrounding shops and the beach.
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Shopping on St. George Street and Nights of Lights
The pedestrian-only St. George Street is 11 blocks’ worth of local boutiques, art galleries, museums, restaurants and bars in the Historic District. “Downtown St. Augustine is very touristy, so there’s awesome restaurants,” Webber says. “If you live here, you get the best of both worlds. You can work in Jacksonville and chill in St. Augustine.” Webber says that he often has date nights with his wife at seaside dining spots like River and Fort. The Uptown area, located on North San Marco Avenue offers a large selection of antique and vintage stores. Many of the restaurants in these popular areas honor St. Augustine’s history and coastal location by featuring Spanish-inspired cuisine and seafood. Residents can buy fresh produce from the St. Augustine Amphitheater Farmers Market each Saturday or head to Route 1 for big-box retailers and grocery chains like Publix. Many will head to the restaurants in Vilano Beach, to the north, or the eateries lining A1A in St. Augustine Beach.
Webber says that Nights of Lights, named one of the best holiday-themed displays by National Geographic, runs from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day. The time-honored tradition dates back to the city’s roots of placing a single candle in a window. The St. Augustine Art Association organizes frequent events, like the First Friday Art Walk, a monthly stroll around the art galleries in the Historic District, Uptown and Anastasia Island. Spring brings the St. Augustine Lions Seafood Festival and the Florida Man Games. The area’s iconic museums, including the Lightner Museum and the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center, offer memberships to residents, granting them free admission, invitations to special events and discounts in museum shops.
Grab a bite at Bull & Crown Publick House in St Augustine Historic District.
Brighten up your day with fresh wildflowers at the St Augustine Amphitheater Farmers Market.
Big box shopping is just off of US-1 in Saint Augustine.
Cozy up by the Christmas tree with family at Night of LIghts.
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One of Florida’s top school districts
Local kids can attend St. Johns County Public School District. The district earns an overall A rating from Niche and ranks as Florida’s third-best school system. Starting in Grade 8, students can apply to over 28 high school Career Academies in subjects like design, architecture and biotechnology. Flagler College, located in the center of the Historic District, enrolls over 2,400 students; its main building is the original Ponce de Leon Hotel, a former luxury resort renowned for its Spanish Renaissance architecture. The city is also home to a satellite campus for The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.
Finish your degree on the marsh at Saint Augustine University.
St. Augustine High School can be found at 3205 Varella Ave, St Augustine Beach.
Welcome to Sebastian Middle School, home of the Eagles.
Ketterlinus Elementary School welcomes locals.
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Crime rates and weather in St. Augustine
In 2023, the St. Augustine Police Department reported a property crime rate slightly lower than the national average, while the violent crime rate was higher. These crime rates are attributed to a high number of nonresidents visiting the area. However, according to a 2024 interview with the St. Johns County Sherriff, crime rates for the region have reduced by 10% between 2020 and 2024.
Almost all of St. Augustine’s residents live in a floodplain, so flooding is common. "Sunny day” tidal flooding, where areas flood during a high tide, typically occurs up to 16 times per year. Most of the city lies in a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area; residents here must get special permits for new construction projects and are required to purchase flood insurance. Flooding and high winds from hurricanes and tropical storms can be particularly damaging; Hurricane Milton in 2024 was the last storm to cause significant flooding, especially downtown. In 2022, Tropical Storm Nicole damaged neighborhoods on Anastasia Island. To reduce flooding risk, St. Augustine has several ongoing capital improvement projects, including building a new stormwater pump and floodwall south of Lake Maria Sanchez in the Lincolnville area. A new flooding Vulnerability Assessment is underway and will provide updated suggestions for future projects.
Watch the clouds roll in from the beach in Saint Augustine.
The dam on Maria Sanchez Lake helps regulate flooding in much of Saint Augustine.
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