The Jacksonville metropolitan area, also known as the First Coast or Northeast Florida, spans Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Nassau, and Baker counties. It has a population of approximately 1.7 million residents and serves as a major economic, cultural, and transportation hub in the region.
Counties and Communities
Duval County: Home to the core city of Jacksonville—the largest city in the contiguous U.S. by land area—as well as beach communities like Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, and Jacksonville Beach.
St. Johns County: Located south of Duval, featuring historic St. Augustine and rapid-growth areas like Nocatee.
Clay County: Situated southwest of Jacksonville, including suburban communities like Orange Park, Fleming Island, and Middleburg.
Nassau County: Positioned to the north, containing Fernandina Beach and Yulee.
Baker County: Located to the west, featuring Macclenny.
Economy and Environment
Transportation Hub: Features a major deep-water port, international airport, and heavy interstate access (I-95, I-10, and I-295).
Quality of Life: Known for its warm climate, extensive river and coastal waterways along the St. Johns River and Atlantic Ocean, and below-average cost of living compared to major national metros.
