Sand road running through tall pine forest with Saw Palmetto dominating the understory.

Baker County

Rest from the Racket

Baker County is just 20 minutes west of Downtown Jacksonville. Here, residents enjoy a small-town atmosphere amid quiet woodlands, scenic swamps and open spaces. Named after James McNair Baker, this quaint community is home to just under 30,000 residents spread across a total area of 589 square miles, and offers everything from a lower cost of living and high quality healthcare to top Baker County Schools in Florida like Macclenny Elementary.

Adventures in nature run deep here, with Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge being a haven for 400+ species and the starting point to the scenic St. Mary’s River. If you’re looking for some of the best things to do in Macclenny, FL, over 200,000 acres of flatwoods and swampland at John M. Bethea State Forest and Osceola National Forest offer the perfect opportunities for fishing, hunting, paddling, waterskiing and more.

Looking for housing? The county seat of Macclenny — located just 35 miles from Jacksonville and six miles from the Georgia border — delivers historic charm with apartments, townhomes and well-kept subdivisions. Glen St. Mary adds single-family homes, gated communities and properties with generous acreage and median home values in the low $300Ks.

Baker County Resources

A gazebo / pergola with spanish architecture in a park in historical town square at St. Augustine, Florida, USA over a blue deep sky in a summer day.

Get to Know JAX

Explore the seven Northeast Florida counties with the Find Your JAX interactive map. From Clay County to Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns and Duval County, find the right fit for you.

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Communities in Baker County

Baker County's affordable living, a close-knit communities, outdoor recreation and proximity to Jacksonville create a relaxed lifestyle without sacrificing access to opportunity.

Affordable | Rural | Outdoor Recreation

Glen St. Mary

Baker County Budget-Friendly and Close to it All

Located about 30 miles west from Jacksonville, Glen St. Mary offers a true taste small town hospitality. The town's Westside Elementary is a top 25 school in the Jacksonville Area. Enjoy affordable living, quaint local shops and modern retail, and thousands of acres of natural beauty including St. Mary's Shoals Park with its river access, horseback riding, fishing, ATV trails, and more.

Historic | Peaceful | Family-Friendly

Macclenny

Baker County Proudly Rural and Community-Driven

Macclenny oozes small-town character with just more than 6,700 residents. Located 35 miles east of Jacksonville, Macclenny is the historic county seat of Baker County and is consistently ranked for its low cost of living and high quality of life - with community-based events like movies in the park, heritage tours and cookoffs at Heritage Park Village.

Featured Ambassador

Krystal Martz

“What I love most about JAX is that there is so much to explore and events to attend within a reasonable drive. I’m never out of options to plan something!”

The Current

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Jacksonville and Northeast Florida’s job market is growing, with full-time and part-time roles opening across financial services, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, transportation and technology services. Some of that growth comes from homegrown companies expanding, and some from businesses that chose the region as a hub for new operations. Either way, it’s good news if you’re eyeing your next career move! The market shifts year […]

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Blog Posts

Why Jacksonville is the Best City in Florida for Young Professionals

Jacksonville is the strongest choice in Florida for young professionals building a career. On take-home pay, cost of living, commute and a job market with real depth, it holds its own against Miami, Tampa, Orlando and more, all without giving up what makes the Sunshine State worth living in! Those cities might have name recognition, […]