Is Holly Hill Safe, Pros and cons of living in Holly Hill

Holly Hill, Florida, offers a unique blend of coastal living and suburban convenience, nestled along the Halifax River and close to the vibrant communities of Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach. The city is characterized by its residential landscape, featuring a variety of affordable housing options from apartments to houses, making it an attractive destination for those seeking a budget-friendly lifestyle near the ocean.

Residents of Holly Hill can enjoy proximity to beaches, boating, and fishing, alongside access to the wider array of shopping, dining, and entertainment found in neighboring cities. The city’s commercial sector is primarily composed of major retail chains and some specialty businesses, but the nearby urban centers provide extensive options for all needs and desires.

Is it Safe to Live in Holly Hill?

Crime in Holly Hill presents a mixed picture, with some sources indicating rates higher than the national average while others suggest they are lower. One analysis indicates that the overall crime rate in Holly Hill is 22.8% lower than the national average, with violent crimes being 17.1% lower and property crimes 23.9% lower than the national average (AreaVibes). However, another report states that Holly Hill’s crime rate is considerably higher than the national average, and relative to Florida, it’s higher than 70% of the state’s cities (NeighborhoodScout).

Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Holly Hill is reported as 1 in 322, with a property crime rate of 13 per one thousand population (NeighborhoodScout). Another perspective suggests that in Holly Hill, you have a 1 in 52 chance of becoming a victim of crime, and the city is safer than only 30% of U.S. cities (AreaVibes). A C- grade for safety suggests the rate of crime is slightly higher than the average U.S. city, ranking Holly Hill in the 32nd percentile for safety (CrimeGrade.org).

Cost of Living in Holly Hill

Holly Hill is known for its affordability, especially when compared to the national average. The median home value in Holly Hill is approximately $206,057 (Livability.com), with some sources citing a median home value of $155,600 (Kurby AI). This affordability extends to rent, with average rents for a one-bedroom apartment around $1,001 per month and for a two-bedroom around $1,282 per month (Apartments.com). These rental costs are significantly lower than the national average, making Holly Hill an attractive option for renters.

The median household income in Holly Hill is around $55,412 annually (Point2Homes), which provides a reasonable standard of living given the lower cost of housing and other goods. While some specific items like ground beef and shampoo can be more expensive than the national average (20% and 13% more, respectively), many other costs, such as haircuts (33% less), movie tickets (11% less), and doctor visits (35% less), are more affordable (YouTube). The state of Florida also offers no state income tax, which further enhances the cost-effectiveness of living in Holly Hill (YouTube).

Housing Market and Rental Trends

The housing market in Holly Hill offers a range of options, with a median listing price of $267,000 in March 2026 (realtor.com®). Recent data shows that home prices were down 4.4% compared to the previous year, selling for a median price of $244,000 (Redfin). The market is described as somewhat competitive, with homes selling in an average of 104 days on the market, a significant increase from 34 days in the previous year (Redfin).

For renters, Holly Hill presents a healthy rental market. The average rent for an apartment is approximately $1,001 for a one-bedroom and $1,282 for a two-bedroom as of May 2026 (Apartments.com). These figures represent a 0.6% increase in apartment rent over the past year (Apartments.com). The majority of rentals in Holly Hill fall within the $1,001-$1,500 per month range (RentCafe).

Job Market and Employment

Holly Hill’s job market is supported by its working residents, with approximately 5,569 employed individuals. A significant majority, 73.9%, are employed in professional or administrative positions, while the remaining 26.1% are in hands-on or service-based jobs (Point2Homes). The employment landscape includes 74.1% working for private companies, 6.6% in the public sector, and 13.4% owning their own businesses (Point2Homes).

The unemployment rate in Holly Hill is reported at 7.5% (Point2Homes), with an employment rate of 92.95% (BestNeighborhood.org). While specific major employers are not detailed, the diverse employment sectors suggest opportunities in professional services, administration, retail, and other service-based industries.

Climate in Holly Hill

Holly Hill experiences a tropical rainforest climate, characterized by warm temperatures and significant rainfall throughout the year. The average high temperature is around 88°F, with a low of 62°F (LocalConditions.com, AccuWeather). The area receives an average annual rainfall of about 51 inches (Livability.com).

Daily temperatures typically hover around 74°F, with RealFeel® temperatures reaching up to 81°F due to high humidity levels (AccuWeather). Thunderstorms are common, especially in the afternoons, with a high chance of precipitation on many days. The climate is generally warm and humid, with minimal variation between seasons, and no snowfall is recorded (Livability.com).

Education and School Ratings

Holly Hill School, serving students from Prekindergarten to 8th grade, ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Florida for overall test scores (Niche, Homes.com). Math and reading proficiency levels are both at 28%, which is below the Florida state average (Holly Hill School). The student-teacher ratio at Holly Hill School is 14:1, which is lower than the Florida state average of 17:1 (Holly Hill School).

Despite its lower ranking in test scores, Holly Hill School is noted for its diversity, with a diversity score equal to the state average (Holly Hill School). The school has an enrollment of 1,054 students (Holly Hill School). For parents seeking alternative educational options, information on other nearby schools can be found through resources like Niche and GreatSchools.

Demographics of Holly Hill

Holly Hill is home to approximately 13,084 residents, with a slight majority being male at 53.4% (Point2Homes). The population is diverse, with White individuals comprising 61.6% of the residents, followed by Black individuals at 15.8%, and Hispanic individuals at 11.8% (Holly Hill Demographics). The median age in Holly Hill is 45 years, with a significant portion of the population aged 65 and older, suggesting a community with a notable presence of retirees (Point2Homes).

The median household income in Holly Hill is approximately $55,412 (Holly Hill Demographics), and the homeownership rate is about 53% (Point2Homes). A substantial 14.5% of families in Holly Hill live below the poverty line (Holly Hill Demographics). The community is largely composed of U.S.-born citizens, with 86.8% of the population holding this status (Point2Homes).