What is it that’s drawing thousands of people per day to the Sunshine State? After seeing a shift in people’s everyday life and how they work, many more are reevaluating where they want to live based on the new climate. Now more than ever, people are craving authenticity in the way they are living. City dwellers are moving from the urban areas for safe, open spaces, and beautiful Nassau County in North Florida is starting to get a lot of notice. If you’re one of the families that are thinking of making a move, here are six reasons why you should consider Nassau County.
Nassau County continues to grow, creating many job opportunities along the way. Since May of 2020, the employment rate has expanded steadily in almost every sector. As the medical field expands, multiple healthcare careers have been made available in nearby facilities like UF Health Center and Baptist Medical Center Nassau in Fernandina Beach. The career opportunities don’t stop there, Nassau County consistently outpaces the rest of the state in terms of economic growth and the rate of unemployment is almost 2% lower than the national average.
If you’re looking for an Old Florida experience with the picturesque downtowns, look no further! Nassau County is home to charming beach towns full of charisma and historical intrigue. Whether you’re exploring the Amelia Island Lighthouse, Florida’s oldest lighthouse, or stopping by The Palace Saloon, Florida’s oldest bar. The sites decorating Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island have been well preserved, and Florida’s development is correlated directly with the history of Nassau County. Fun Fact: Fernandina Beach is the only location in the United States to have been under eight different flags – French, Spanish, English, Patriot, Green Cross of Florida, Mexican Rebel, Confederate, and United States Flag. Festivities of all sorts happen throughout the year to celebrate the area’s rich history, including the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival.
Nassau County’s public school district is recognized as one of the best in the state with a consistent A-rating for the past 10+ years. With 16 fully accredited schools, both public and private K-12, there are a plethora of excellent options to choose from to best fit your child’s educational needs. Classroom excellence projects a great reputation for Nassau County with an approximate graduation rate of 93% in the area’s four high schools.
This one comes as no surprise! Florida does not have a state income tax. According to the Tax Foundation, Florida has one of the lowest tax burdens in the country which is a big reason why Florida consistently outperforms the rest of the nation in terms of fiscal stability and economic performance, which takes into account the overall business environment, employment and growth opportunities per the U.S. News 2020 Study.
Everyone has become a “foodie” and seeks out that special meal and environment. With that in mind, some of the most delicious and diverse culinary experiences in Florida can be found right here in Nassau County. Fernandina Beach is the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry, no doubt supplying the freshest of seafood, and cuisine of all kinds decorate the area. Whether you’re craving the nightlife fun or an authentic eating experience, each restaurant in Nassau County offers remarkable menu items to please your palate.
The pristine Florida beaches are an integral part of why so many people travel here, but there are plenty of activities to choose from. Nassau County is home to more than 80 golf courses, including Fernandina Beach Golf Club which is one of the most popular municipal golf courses in the Southeastern United States. The PGA Tour is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach where it hosts The Players Championship, which is only a short drive south along the coast. Four Creeks State Park and Three Rivers State Forest are great locations for wildlife viewing, camping, biking, hiking, and horseback riding is a memorable experience to take in the beauty of the surrounding nature. For the art lovers, farmer’s markets, art tours, and museums line the area making it a colorful, dynamic place to live and discover.
Ideally located in Nassau County, surrounded by thousands of acres of state-protected parks and preserves, is a new master-planned community. Developed by GreenPointe Developers, this expansive community spans over 1,500 acres and will have a total of 3,200 homesites upon completion. Tributary is located just 1.6 miles west of I-95 along A1A/SR 200 (the Amelia Island exit). Just 15 minutes to the south, you’ll find the Jacksonville International Airport and River City Marketplace, a major regional shopping, dining and entertainment destination.
At Tributary our residents will Explore More with our private on-site amenities including The Lookout lakefront resident clubhouse, a Fitness Studio, resort-inspired pool, pickleball courts, Adventure Zone Tot-Lot, Pawsome Park for our furry friends and more. You can check out the full stock of amenities here. Miles of scenic nature trails will provide direct access to the river and neighboring protected sanctuary of Four Creeks State Forest. Residents will also have direct access to Tributary Regional Park, which is under construction with baseball and multi-purpose fields, kayak launch, concessions, and multi-purpose trail.
Tributary offers a distinctive collection of new homes from the $300s built by respected builders Dream Finders Homes, Lennar and Richmond American Homes. The Model Home Village with 6 designer-decorated models is now open to tour, so now’s the perfect time to stop by for a visit. You can also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram, be sure to check out our Community’s Digital Brochure which will give you an overview of the community and what’s to come! Interested homebuyers are welcomed to join our VIP list at TributaryLiving.com, and they will be the first to receive the latest information and new releases.
Did you know the area of northeast Florida we call Nassau County is one of the oldest counties in Florida with a fascinating history that dates back to the mid-16th century? Being the only county in the U.S. that has been occupied by the French, Spanish, British, and Americans, Revolutionary War and Civil War action, Nassau County tells the outstanding story of industry, agriculture, and life in early days of Florida.
We are proud to be situated in such a remarkable locale – here’s a glimpse of the old days of Nassau County.
In 1562 the French took first possession of Nassau County inhabited by Native Americans, but only for a short time. Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez drove out the French in 1565. Under the occupation of Menendez, the Spanish influence dominated the island and mainland Nassau County throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, which was the first of two Spanish colonial periods in Florida history.
Florida was transferred to the British by the Treaty of Paris in 1763 along with all of the east coast. Under the rule of the British, they brought the plantation system that would survive for nearly 100 years and a program of development and construction to Nassau County.
By 1783, Florida had again transferred back to the Spanish re-establishing a land-grant system and plantation system and fostering the first real land boom. With the beginning of pirates and slave runners, Amelia Island and Fernandina became a slave smuggling port with the rapid growth of population and sailing vessels anchored in the harbor. In 1821, Florida was ceded to the United States and Nassau County became a part of Duval County until 1824 when Nassau County would break away.
The American Civil War broke out in Charleston harbor in 1861 which, in return, brought a Union invasion of Amelia Island the following year. Union troops commenced destroying the railroads, offices, rolling back and removed the rails up to the mainland. With so many wealthy landowners leaving the area, slaves were released from bondage and scattered to their own settlements such as Franklintown on the south end of Amelia Island.
The significant economic boom began with the paper industry in the late 1930s. Container Corporation of America (today’s WestRock) planted its roots in Fernandina, establishing a paperboard mill, which began production in 1937. This changed the course of history here in Nassau County. Today, WestRock’s Fernandina plant produces 155,000 metric tons of softwood cellulose specialties per year. It contributes $35 million annually to Florida’s wages and salaries and $2 million to Florida’s property and sales taxes. Ranked among the nation’s top 50 exporters, the plant ships products to five continents and 80 ports around the world.
Understanding the significance of Nassau County’s history and nature, today’s settlers value these tributaries for their natural state, rich history and tradition. They appreciate the opportunity to explore these untouched, protected areas with generations to come. As the newest community in Nassau County, Tributary recognizes the history and the importance of preserving this dynamic land, with much of the land being preserved within and around the community. Tributary is where people will celebrate the natural surroundings as part of the community’s vision and design.
It’s a model lifestyle for tomorrow, waiting to be discovered today. The perfect place to call home. Within the 1,550-acre master-planned community, residents will enjoy the outdoor lifestyle, resort-style pool, fitness center and activities at the fun-filled Amenity Center. New modern-rustic homes will be offered from the $300s, interested homebuyers can download their complimentary digital brochure at tributaryfl.com to ensure they are first to learn of any updates as we approach the grand opening of model homes late this summer.
