Essential workers in St. Johns County can’t afford to live there -- even if they’re combining incomes.

But county leaders want to change that.

According to a report released this year by the Chamber of Commerce, no two essential workers combined can afford a median-priced home in the county.

That’s because St. Johns County’s median home price is $552,500, according to recent data.

But county ordinance sets the workforce “affordable” maximum initial sales price at about $260,000.

“We have a lot people that commute out of county or can’t afford to even live here, and they have to travel very far,” said Michael Roberson, the county’s growth management director.

Data also shows that roughly 23% of households in the county spend more than 30% of their income on housing.

“It’s not easy to

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