Fruit Cove, FL Homes for Sale: Old Florida on the St. Johns River

Fruit Cove runs along the east bank of the St. Johns River in north St. Johns County, on SR 13 just south of Mandarin. It's older and looser than the master plans next door: bigger lots, light or no HOA on many streets, and river access in parts.

Homes range from ranch and Craftsman to Mediterranean, with some of the best riverfront in the county. Every lot is different, so every one gets checked.

What Fruit Cove Costs Right Now

Few homes sell under the Fruit Cove name each month, so the median jumps around.

With this few sales, the range tells you more than any single month. Riverfront sells well above it. I price every Fruit Cove home off its own recent comps.

Source: Northeast Florida MLS via Flexmls, residential, Fruit Cove addresses, October 2025 to September 2026. Low sales volume.

Where Fruit Cove Is, and How It's Laid Out

Fruit Cove is an unincorporated area of about 32,000 people in north St. Johns County, part of the larger St. Johns community. SR 13 runs along the river; Race Track Road runs east toward I-95.

• Along SR 13 and the river: older homes on bigger lots, riverfront with docks, and Alpine Groves Park.
• Established neighborhoods inland: Fruit Cove Woods, Fruit Cove Forest and Fruit Cove Terrace, among others.
• Next door: Julington Creek Plantation, the large master plan east of SR 13.

A Fruit Cove home can carry a St. Johns or Jacksonville mailing address. It's still St. Johns County for taxes and schools.

Riverfront Questions I Answer Before You Buy

1. Dock and bulkhead. Condition, age and permits. A tired seawall is a big line item.
2. Flood zone, by parcel. Riverfront and creek lots can sit in different zones from homes a block back.
3. Water depth. It decides what boat you can keep at the dock.
4. Well, septic or sewer. Older lots along SR 13 can be on septic. I check before you write an offer.

Schools

Fruit Cove is served by the St. Johns County School District.

Zoning goes by address and changes as the county grows, so I confirm the zoned schools for every home with the district's school attendance zone locator before you make an offer.

Getting Around

SR 13 runs north to Mandarin and I-295. Race Track Road and CR 210 lead east to I-95. To the south, the two-lane Shands Bridge crosses to Clay County; a new four-lane First Coast Expressway bridge is under construction and due in 2030.

Estimated drive times from central Fruit Cove (SR 13 at Race Track Road), outside rush hour:

Estimates only. SR 13 and the I-295 Buckman Bridge interchange back up at rush hour.

Fruit Cove FAQ

What does a home in Fruit Cove cost?

Recent sales ran from about $277,000 to $641,000 by month. Riverfront runs higher.

Is Fruit Cove in Jacksonville?

No. It's unincorporated St. Johns County, even when the mailing address says Jacksonville.

Does Fruit Cove have an HOA?

Some neighborhoods do and many older streets don't. I confirm it from the deed restrictions.

When does the new Shands Bridge open?

The replacement bridge is due in 2030.