In the first article of our series on "How to Buy Land and Turn it Into a Homesite in Baker County Florida", we share how to find land for sale, how to find a good land agent, plus helpful facts and information on the local area.

Are you looking for rural land within close proximity to a major city, with unspoiled affordable land, lower property taxes than the city, beautiful weather, good schools and a close-knit community to build your dream home?

If this sounds too good to be true, that's because it usually is.

However, Baker County, Florida, is an exception.

Located within an easy 20-30 minute commute from bustling metropolitan Jacksonville and its beaches and 140 miles from the state capital, Tallahassee, this community is known for its small-town Southern feel with big-city conveniences. 

This picturesque slice of rural America boasts magnificent forests like the Osceola National Forest, wide-open spaces for agriculture and recreation, abundant fresh waterways, easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, excellent schools and a safe, active and friendly community.

If you’re looking for the freedom and peace of rural living without sacrificing big city conveniences, Baker County is your kind of place.

In the first of this article series on how to buy land and turn it into a homesite in Baker County, Florida, you'll learn:

• How to find land in Baker County
• Tips on finding a good land agent or real estate agent who specializes in land 
• And some helpful facts about the area such as communities and towns, temperatures, rainfall, schools, hurricane info, recreational opportunities, and more

How To Find Land For Sale In Baker County, Florida

In Baker County, as in most places, the search for land typically starts with some exploring. Here are some helpful websites to browse: 

• RaydientPlaces.com: Our company, Raydient Places + Properties, is the real estate subsidiary of Rayonier, a large landowner in the county. While most of Rayonier’s land is commercial timberland, properties that are ideal for real estate are made available for sale. Narrow your search by county, budget and number of acres, or use the map to browse.
• LandWatch.com: LandWatch is a national website that provides a vast database of rural properties available throughout the U.S. Narrow your search by state, county, acreage, budget and land specifically (so you don’t end up with properties with structures on them). A word of advice: use caution if you search by use. While most land properties will be suited to camping, for example, only a few may be listed under the camping heading.
• LandFlip.com: LandFlip is another popular site for rural land buyers because it makes it easy to narrow in on specific classes of parcels. It includes a map feature where you can browse and click on properties.
• LandsofAmerica.com: Lands of America, another “top-tier rural property marketplace,” allows you to search for a range of price points and property sizes simultaneously within the county.
• Get more tips on finding your perfect property in: How to Find Land for Sale. 

When you’re ready to narrow your search, work with a land agent or a real estate agent who is experienced with land. 

This person will know what land is available, understand what factors to consider as you look at properties and have a network of contacts, such as institutions that finance land purchases. 

An agent familiar with land sales will also be familiar with the local land purchase prices and can pull a comparative market analysis (CMA) to ensure you make the right offer on the property.

How do you find a good agent for a land purchase?

• Contact the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors for a recommendation.
• Ask others who have recently purchased land in the area for referrals.
• Find out who is listing land for sale in the area. This person may also work with land buyers.
•  If you have a home builder in mind, that company may recommend an agent it regularly works with.

Learn more about the value of a land agent in: Why Hire A Land Agent Rather Than A Residential Realtor?

Baker County Facts At-A-Glance

Wouldn't it be amazing if you could go to one place for answers to all your basic Baker County, Florida questions?

We've got you covered with these Baker County facts at-a-glance.

With magnificent forests, friendly small towns and close proximity to some of the state’s most historic parks, Baker County is a nature lover’s and sportsman’s paradise. It’s just 20-30 minutes to Florida’s largest city by land area, Jacksonville, with its picturesque beaches, vibrant economy and convenient international airport.

• Population: 28,259
• Households: 8,693
• Median household income: $45,921
• Spans square miles: 293.96
• Population per Square mile: 97.0

Sources: US Census Bureau State & County QuickFacts

Baker County Communities by Zip Code:

• 32040 - Glen St. Mary
  • 122 square miles
• 32063 - Macclenny 
  • 102 square miles
• 32072 - Olustee
  • 27 square miles
• 32087 - Sanderson

  • 135 square miles 

Sources: United States Census Bureau, Proximity One 

Baker County Climate:

Baker County enjoys pleasant to warm temperatures year-round.

Average Temperature (in degrees F):

Source: National Weather Service

Total Normal Rainfall (in inches) in Baker County:

• January – 3.68
• February – 3.51
• March – 3.71
• April – 3.10
• May – 2.87
• June – 8.64
• July – 6.76
• August – 7.12
• September – 5.84
• October – 3.65
• November – 1.93
• December – 2.63
• Annual - 53.22

Source: National Weather Service

What about hurricanes in Baker County?

While Florida is known for its hurricane seasons, Baker County is considered a low-risk hurricane zone partly due to its inland location. 

Source: Northeast FL Regional Council Statewide Regional Evacuation Study Program

Did you know?

Moving to a rural area usually means a one to two-hour drive to any decent recreation or entertainment. Not so in Baker County, which is known for both its rural and big-city amenities.

The world-class shopping, dining, sports, beaches and other metropolitan conveniences of Jacksonville are a mere 20-30 minutes away.

University of Florida in Gainesville is about an hour’s drive. Historic St. Augustine is less than a two-hour drive, with great shops and restaurants, beautiful beaches and water sports. Orlando is less than four hours away....perfect for weekend getaways and outlet shopping.

Looking for local fun and recreation? Here are some of the area’s sought-after highlights:

• St. Mary’s Shoals Park ― Nearly 2,600 acres, featuring white shoals and offering hiking, ATV trails, fishing, cycling and equestrian trails.
• Ocean Pond ― 1,760-acre freshwater lake in western Baker County with a white sand beach, picnic areas and modern campsites. This area is known for its unspoiled wilderness views and swimming.
• Osceola National Forest ― Though the smallest of Florida’s three national forests, Osceola National Forest was created by President Hoover in 1931. It now offers visitors 266,000 acres of some of the best hiking and hunting in Florida amongst old-growth longleaf pines.
• Osceola Trail ― This scenic, easy trail connects sites once inhabited by the Osceola and the Seminole Indians along the St. Marys River in St. Mary’s Shoals Park, John M. Bethea State Forest and Osceola National Forest.
• Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park ― Adjacent to the Osceola National Forest, Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park commemorates the largest civil war battle fought on Florida soil. A reenactment occurs every year on the second weekend in February, with a Civil War Expo staged at the battle site in late summer. A historically-marked mile-long trail, videos of the reenactment, and the Battlefield Memorial are free to the public every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• Heritage Park Village ― This park proudly displays Baker County’s history from its beginnings to the year 2000. Visitors can browse 20 mini-museums that showcase the lives and rich traditions of generations past. It also features a covered pavilion for picnicking and a shaded playground. The park is open seven days a week and hosts special events throughout the year. 

Sources: Visitflorida.com, Baker County Chamber of Commerce, BakerCountyFlorida.org

Major employers and Approximate number of employees in and around Baker County:

• Northeast Florida State Hospital: 1,000

• Walmart Distribution Center: 800

• Baker County School District: 568

• Baker Correctional Institution: 304

• Ray’s Nursery: 200

• Macclenny Nursing and Rehab Center: 156

• Earthworks of Northeast Florida, Inc.: 130

Sources: Baker County Chamber of Commerce, The Baker County School District

Interested in learning more about buying rural land in Baker County, Florida?

Click the link below to view available properties in Baker County and stay tuned for more articles about how to buy land and turn it into a homesite in Baker County, Florida.