What Nocatee is actually like
Nocatee is an unincorporated, master-planned community and census-designated place in northern St. Johns County, developed by The PARC Group. The project was approved in 2001 as a Development of Regional Impact — a Florida designation for large-scale developments with regional infrastructure impact — and construction broke ground in 2005. Unlike Riverside/Avondale's or St. Augustine's organically grown fabric, Nocatee was designed from the outset as a single cohesive township, spanning roughly 13,300 acres and blending residential neighborhoods with schools, parks, and retail by design.
Growth has been dramatic: the community's population grew from 4,524 residents at the 2010 Census to 22,503 by 2020 — nearly 400% in a single decade — and by 2025 had expanded to more than fifty distinct neighborhoods. The community's defining amenities are recreational and family-oriented: two large water parks, an extensive trail network, a kayak launch, a dedicated nature preserve, and neighborhood pools and fitness centers.
Like most large Florida planned communities, Nocatee layers a Community Development District (CDD) on top of standard HOA governance — the Tolomato Community Development District, chartered under Florida Statutes Chapter 190, finances and maintains Nocatee's major infrastructure and amenities. CDD assessments appear as a separate non-ad-valorem line on the St. Johns County property tax bill, distinct from — and billed separately from — HOA dues; see our governance guide for how that works and how it compares to Nocatee's HOA fees.
Home values in Nocatee
Zillow tracks home values city-by-city, not for every neighborhood within a city — Nocatee is one of the pockets that doesn't get its own figure. Rather than publish a citywide number that might not reflect this specific part of town, we're leaving pricing out of this particular guide for now.
Getting around
Car-dependent, with a master-planned internal road network; primary outside access is via US-1, Racetrack Road/CR-210, and I-95. An extensive internal multi-use trail network for golf carts, bikes, and pedestrians is a signature feature of the community itself.
Nocatee FAQ
Is Nocatee a real town, or part of another city?
It's an unincorporated, master-planned community (a census-designated place) in St. Johns County — not an incorporated city — governed through community development districts and the county, not its own municipal government.
How far is Nocatee from downtown Jacksonville?
Roughly 25-30 miles, an estimated 35-50 minute drive via US-1 or I-95 — verify with a mapping tool for a specific address within the development.
Is Nocatee mostly new construction?
Yes — the community broke ground in 2005 and grew roughly 400% in population from 2010 to 2020, so nearly all housing stock is recent, in contrast to historic neighborhoods like Riverside/Avondale or St. Augustine.
Does Nocatee charge both HOA and CDD fees?
Yes — Nocatee is governed by the Tolomato Community Development District (CDD) in addition to neighborhood HOAs, and the two are billed separately. See our governance guide for how CDD assessments work.
Does Nocatee flood?
It's inland of the barrier island, generally lower flood-risk exposure than oceanfront Ponte Vedra Beach, but the community includes wetlands and tidal-creek-adjacent areas — check FEMA flood maps for the exact address.