Is Ferry Pass Safe, Pros and cons of living in Ferry Pass
Ferry Pass, Florida, offers a blend of suburban comfort and convenient access to urban amenities. Located in Escambia County, it serves as a significant community within the Pensacola metropolitan area. This census-designated place provides a unique living experience characterized by its distinct climate, diverse population, and evolving economic landscape.
As a community, Ferry Pass presents a compelling option for those seeking a balance between a quieter lifestyle and proximity to larger city attractions. Understanding the various facets of life in Ferry Pass, from safety and cost of living to employment and education, is crucial for anyone considering a move to this Florida locale.
Is it Safe to Live in Ferry Pass?
Ferry Pass generally presents a moderate crime rate, often considered safer than the average U.S. city. The overall crime rate is reported to be 17.85 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (according to CrimeGrade.org). Residents often consider the northeast part of Ferry Pass to be the safest area, with a significantly lower incidence of crime compared to other neighborhoods. Your likelihood of being a victim of crime can vary greatly by neighborhood, with some areas having a chance of 1 in 21, while others offer a much lower risk of 1 in 98 (according to CrimeGrade.org).
Property crime rates in Ferry Pass are reported at 13.45 per 1,000 residents annually (according to CrimeGrade.org). While this is slightly higher than the national average for property crime, it is important to note that violent crimes are generally lower than the national average. The cost of crime per resident in Ferry Pass is approximately $214 per year, which is less than both the national and Florida state averages (according to CrimeGrade.org). Law enforcement actively patrols the area, and many neighborhoods maintain a strong sense of community and security, particularly those near community parks.
Cost of Living and Housing in Ferry Pass
The cost of living in Ferry Pass is notably lower than the national average, impacting expenses for everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation, and healthcare (according to Livability.com). This affordability extends to the housing market, which scores highly for its favorable home affordability ratio and appreciation rates (according to Livability.com). The median home value in Ferry Pass is approximately $251,499 (according to Livability.com), which is lower than the median home value in the Pensacola Metro Area ($295,549) (according to Nextburb). Redfin data indicates a median sale price of $235,000 in February 2026, showing a decrease of 6.0% year-over-year (according to Redfin).
Rental costs in Ferry Pass are also competitive, with a median rent around $1,500 per month (according to Housing Market trends). As of April 2026, average apartment rents range from $991 for a studio to $1,783 for a three-bedroom unit (according to Apartments.com). The homeownership rate in Ferry Pass is around 47%, which is lower than the national average (according to Data USA). The median property value in Ferry Pass was $260,100 in 2024, showing a slight increase from the previous year (according to Data USA).
Job Market and Economy
The economy of Ferry Pass and the surrounding Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent metropolitan area employs a significant workforce, with the largest industries being Health Care & Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Accommodation & Food Services (according to Data USA). In 2024, employment in the broader metro area saw a growth rate of 1.52% (according to Data USA). Major employers in the Pensacola area, which significantly impact Ferry Pass, include Navy Federal Credit Union, Baptist Health Care, and Sacred Heart Hospital & Health System (according to The Kirkland Company).
The average hourly wage in the Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent metropolitan area was $27.13 in May 2024, which is lower than the national average of $32.66 (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Key occupational groups with high employment include office and administrative support, sales and related occupations, and management occupations (according to Data USA). The unemployment rate for the Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL (MSA) was 5.1% as of February 2026 (according to FRED).
Climate and Weather
Ferry Pass experiences a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures typically range from the upper 70s to the low 90s Fahrenheit, with high humidity creating a sultry atmosphere (according to Wildlife Removal in Pensacola, FL). The region receives abundant rainfall, averaging around 55 inches annually, which is more than the U.S. average of 38 inches (according to Wildlife Removal in Pensacola, FL). This consistent rainfall helps sustain the lush green landscapes characteristic of the area.
Winters in Ferry Pass are mild, with temperatures generally ranging from the mid-50s to low 70s Fahrenheit (according to Wildlife Removal in Pensacola, FL). Snowfall is rare. The average annual precipitation near Ferry Pass is approximately 65 inches (according to Livability.com), with rainfall distributed throughout the year. July is typically the wettest month, while October tends to be the driest (according to Climate & Weather Averages).
Education in Ferry Pass
Ferry Pass is home to educational institutions catering to various levels of learning. The University of West Florida, located within Ferry Pass, is a significant institution, awarding a substantial number of degrees annually (according to Data USA). Ferry Pass Elementary School serves students from Pre-Kindergarten to 5th grade. In recent rankings, Ferry Pass Elementary School has been placed in the bottom 50% of Florida schools based on proficiency testing data (according to Niche).
Ferry Pass Middle School serves students in grades 6-8. Similar to the elementary school, Ferry Pass Middle School also ranks within the bottom 50% of Florida schools for overall test scores (according to NeighborhoodScout). The student-teacher ratio at Ferry Pass Elementary is 17:1, which is equal to the Florida state average (according to Niche). At Ferry Pass Middle School, the student-teacher ratio is 21:1, which is higher than the Florida state level (according to Niche).
Demographics of Ferry Pass
Ferry Pass has a population of approximately 30,053 residents as of 2024 (according to Data Commons). The median age in Ferry Pass is 36.9 years (according to Data Commons), with a slightly higher proportion of females to males (according to Data USA). The racial composition of Ferry Pass is predominantly White, accounting for about 63.3% of the population, followed by Black or African American at 19.9%, and those identifying as two or more races at 8.5% (according to Data Commons).
The percentage of White residents in Ferry Pass is higher than the state average for Florida (according to Data USA). Conversely, the share of Hispanic residents is significantly lower than the state average. Ferry Pass has a poverty rate of 14.39% (according to Data USA), which is higher than the national average. The median household income was reported as $61,689 in 2024 (according to Data Commons).