JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — On Tuesday, a recent survey conducted by the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) indicated that housing costs have now emerged as the most pressing concern in Jacksonville.

The survey gathered insights from 742 registered voters in Duval County, focusing on various issues impacting River City and gauging opinions on local public officials, among other topics.

Twenty-five percent of poll respondents said the cost of housing is the most important problem in Jacksonville. Twelve percent said crime is the biggest issue. Education, transportation and infrastructure each registered 9%, and the economy and property taxes each registered 8%.

“Voters are a lot more concerned over housing costs now than they were the last time we polled on Jacksonville’s most important problem, back in September of 2023,” said PORL faculty director Michael Binder. “Historically, crime has been far and away the top response. Now in a distant second place across party lines, priorities seem to have shifted to the housing issues we’re seeing all over the state.”

When poll respondents were asked how they think Mayor Donna Deegan is handling her job as mayor, 61% of them expressed their approval, while 37% of them said they disapprove.

When poll respondents were asked how they think Sheriff T.K. Waters is handling his job as sheriff, 64% of them expressed their approval, while 32% of them said they disapprove. And for State Attorney Melissa Nelson, 61% of respondents said they approve of the job she’s doing as the state attorney for Duval, Nassau and Clay counties, while 29% disapproved of the job she’s doing.

Among elected officials, the poll found that only city council had a “net negative approval,” with 42% of respondents indicating they approve of the job they are doing and 53% expressing disapproval.

Another interesting question posed to poll respondents was if they support or oppose Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach in forming their own county separate from Duval County.

The poll found that responses were evenly split between support and opposition. However, more respondents strong oppose the idea (29%) than strongly support it (19%).

“While folks seem to be pretty evenly split on the idea of the beaches seceding from Duval County, it’s pretty telling that support is higher in the House Districts encompassing the urban core and outer rim (Districts 13 and 15), than in District 16, which includes Jax, Neptune and Atlantic Beach,” Binder said.

Click here to see full poll results.