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Living in Orange Park, FL
NAS Jacksonville's front porch — the closest-in suburb to the base, with Clay County schools and room to breathe.
Orange Park at a Glance
- Median sale price: $325,000
- $171 per square foot
- 37 days on market
- About 10–20 minutes to NAS Jacksonville (estimate)
- CrimeGrade overall: B+
- Cost of living index: 81
The Orange Park Market
The median sale price in Orange Park is $325,000 (September 2026, Realty.com/realMLS), at $171 per square foot, with a median list price of $335,000, 37 days on market, and 99.5% of asking price. The repeat-sales index is up 7.4% year over year. In Q1 2026 the median was $335,000 at 52 days on market — flat-to-soft early in 2026, turning positive by fall. Orange Park has the widest price spread around: older in-town stock to 1990s–2000s subdivisions.
Resale: What Holds Value in Orange Park
The NAS Jacksonville commute creates a permanent floor of military buyer and renter demand. Wells Road and Blanding Boulevard retail support daily life, and Doctors Lake frontage tops the market. Cautions: older town-core stock (roof age and inspections), flood insurance on lake and river parcels, and newer Clay County construction competing for the same buyers.
Schools in Orange Park
Orange Park is served by the Clay County school district, graded A by the Florida Department of Education in 2026 (district: oneclay.net). Schools include Grove Park Elementary (6/10), Lakeside Elementary (6/10), Lakeside Junior High (6–7/10), Orange Park Junior High (4/10), and Orange Park High School (5/10), whose JROTC program is tied to NAS Jacksonville. Western addresses may zone to Ridgeview High School (5/10).
Shopping, Food and Daily Life
Orange Park Mall offers 120+ stores and an AMC 24 theater, rated about 4.1 stars on Google (about 9,500 reviews). The Hilltop Restaurant, in a Victorian mansion, is a special-occasion institution, rated 4.4 stars (about 1,076 aggregated reviews). The Blanding Boulevard and Kingsley Avenue corridors, and the Orange Park Medical Center area, cover daily life.
Cost of Living in Orange Park
The cost of living index for Orange Park is 81 (BestNeighborhood, US = 100 — about 19% below national costs). AreaVibes gives the town a livability score of 76 and a cost grade of A+. Property taxes vary sharply by ZIP (Ownwell): ZIP 32065 is about 1.35% effective, versus about 0.86% in ZIP 32073 — quote taxes by ZIP. The Clay County median effective rate is 1.02%. Run the numbers for an Orange Park purchase with the affordability calculator.
Who Lives in Orange Park
The median age in Orange Park is 49.1, median household income is $77,106, 12.8% of workers are government workers, and 27.1% of residents are 65 or older. It is the most military- and retiree-weighted community in the Jacksonville area — a stable, established owner base.
Safety in Orange Park
CrimeGrade (town limits) gives Orange Park an overall grade of B+. Violent crime is graded C+ (2.97 per 1,000 residents, 49th percentile), and property crime is graded C+ (11.94 per 1,000). Note honestly: adjacent Lakeside rates A on the same source — grades here are boundary-sensitive.
Military, First Responders and Police
Orange Park is the closest-in suburb to NAS Jacksonville (about 10–20 minutes, estimate, off-peak) and about 45–60 minutes from Naval Station Mayport (estimate). It is the default landing spot for NAS Jacksonville families who want a short commute without living in Jacksonville proper, with a heavy military concentration supported by the 12.8% government-worker share and Orange Park High School's base-tied JROTC. First responders favor the same short-commute, established-streets math. If you are moving on orders, start with our PCS relocation guide and the Clay County mortgage broker page. Check what your allowance will cover with the Military BAH Calculator.
Homes and Housing Stock
The town core is 1960s–1980s ranch homes, with 1990s–2000s subdivisions to the south and west. The median home is 1,820 square feet. Doctors Lake waterfront sits at the premium end, and many older streets have no HOA.
What the median Orange Park home costs per month
Median price here: $325,000. With 20% down ($65,000) and a 30-year fixed loan of $260,000 at 6.625%, principal & interest comes to $1,665/month — before taxes and insurance, which vary by home.
Rate from Douglas's October 26, 2026 pricing (the latest sheet available when this was published). Rates change daily — your exact rate is produced by Douglas on review.
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Buying in Orange Park without a VA loan?
The same math runs for conventional and FHA buyers, and the tools above are for everyone. Douglas prices every program across 200+ lenders, so you can compare the payment on the same home under each option. Run your numbers with the calculator →
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“If you're a veteran looking to buy a home, I can't recommend Douglas highly enough. As a fellow Marine veteran, he truly understands every aspect of the VA home loan process and knows how to navigate it from start to finish. His knowledge, professionalism, and commitment to serving veterans are second to none. What really sets Douglas apart is that he's much more than just a mortgage loan officer. He works seamlessly with your real estate agent to make sure everyone is aligned and the entire process runs smoothly. You never feel like you're just another transaction. The best part is that once you become part of Douglas's ecosystem, you never really leave it. He continues to be a trusted resource long after closing, providing guidance, connections, and support whenever you need it. It's not just a mortgage—it's a lifelong relationship and an incredible asset to have in your corner. If you're looking for someone who genuinely cares about your success and has the expertise to get the job done right, Douglas is the person to call. Semper Fi!”
— Jason Haglund, Google review, July 31, 2026
Get the Orange Park Buyer Brief
Get new listings that fit your budget, the payment breakdown on the $325,000 median home, and the tax-by-ZIP question to ask before offering — from Douglas Wilkerson, Mortgage Broker, (904) 517-4049.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orange Park
Is Orange Park the best town for NAS Jax families?
For many, yes. Orange Park is the closest-in suburb to NAS Jacksonville (about 10–20 minutes, estimate, off-peak), with Clay County schools and a heavy military presence — 12.8% of workers are government workers, and Orange Park High School's JROTC program is tied to NAS Jacksonville. It is the default landing spot for NAS Jax families who want a short commute without living in Jacksonville proper.
What do homes cost in Orange Park?
The median sale price is $325,000 (September 2026, Realty.com/realMLS), at $171 per square foot, with a median list price of $335,000, 37 days on market, and 99.5% of asking price. The price spread is the widest around, from older in-town stock to 1990s–2000s subdivisions, and the median home is 1,820 square feet.
How are Orange Park schools?
Orange Park is served by the Clay County school district, graded A by the Florida Department of Education (2026). School ratings: Grove Park Elementary 6/10, Lakeside Elementary 6/10, Lakeside Junior High 6–7/10, Orange Park Junior High 4/10, and Orange Park High School 5/10 (with JROTC tied to NAS Jacksonville). Western addresses may zone to Ridgeview High School, rated 5/10.
Is Orange Park safe?
CrimeGrade (town limits) gives Orange Park an overall grade of B+. Violent crime is graded C+ (2.97 per 1,000, 49th percentile) and property crime C+ (11.94 per 1,000). One honest caveat: adjacent Lakeside rates A on the same source, so grades here are boundary-sensitive.
What property taxes will I actually pay in Orange Park?
It varies sharply by ZIP (Ownwell): 32065 is about 1.35% effective versus 32073 at about 0.86%, with a Clay County median of 1.02%. Always quote taxes by ZIP, not by town — the same town can mean a very different tax bill.
Orange Park vs Fleming Island — which fits my family?
Orange Park wins on commute and value: it is the closest suburb to NAS Jacksonville, with a $325,000 median price, older streets, and many homes with no HOA. Fleming Island wins on schools and planned amenities: a $475,000 single-family median, Clay County's best schools, and A+ safety — but HOA and CDD fees and a longer (about 25–35 minute) NAS commute. Pick Orange Park for the shortest drive and lowest entry price; pick Fleming Island for top-rated schools and master-planned living.
Equal Housing Opportunity. Mortgage services are provided by Douglas Wilkerson, Branch Manager and Mortgage Broker with Edge Home Finance Corporation. Loan programs, rates, eligibility, underwriting guidelines and availability are subject to change. All applications are subject to credit review, verification, property eligibility, applicable underwriting requirements and final approval. This website does not constitute a commitment to lend or a guarantee of financing.
Ready to see what Orange Park costs for you?
Call Douglas: (904) 517-4049