James Island vs Kensington
Two Duval communities, compared on the numbers that decide it — price, pace, and supply — from live MLS data as of 2026-10-16.
| Metric | James Island | Kensington |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $228K | $186K |
| Price per sq ft | $189 | $170 |
| Avg days on market | 97 days | 90 days |
| Months of supply | 4.5 mo | 3.0 mo |
| Market | Buyer-Leaning Market | Seller's Market |
| 1-year price change | -12% | -4% |
| Recent closings | 32 | 28 |
The verdict
James Island carries the higher median price — about 23% above Kensington. Homes in Kensington sell faster (90 days on market vs 97). Kensington is the tighter market on inventory (3.0 months of supply).
Where each one is
James Island and Kensington are about 5 miles apart (straight-line, center to center) and share Duval County.
| James Island | Kensington | |
|---|---|---|
| County | Duval County, FL | Duval County, FL |
| City / area | Jacksonville | Jacksonville |
| ZIP | 32256 | 32073, 32244, 32246 |
| Straight-line to downtown Jacksonville | 10 mi | 11 mi |
| Nearest Atlantic beach | 9 mi, Ponte Vedra Beach | 5 mi, Atlantic Beach |
| FEMA flood zones (sampled parcels) | all 22 sampled homes outside a flood zone | 82% of 17 homes outside a flood zone (Zone X) |
Distances are straight-line; driving distance is usually 15 to 30 percent more. Flood-zone shares come from FEMA flood maps matched to sampled parcels; always check the exact address before you close.
What is for sale today
| James Island | Kensington | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes for sale now | 12 | 7 |
| Under contract | 3 | 4 |
| Asking prices today | $184K to $640K | $175K to $500K |
| Property types listed | Condominium, Single Family Residence | Condominium, Single Family Residence, Townhouse |
Live MLS counts, refreshed with every listing pull. Browse them: James Island homes for sale · Kensington homes for sale.
The homes themselves
| James Island | Kensington | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes (parcels) | 52 | 184 |
| Built | 1999–2002 (median 2000) | 1987–2003 (median 1991) |
| Typical living area | 3,020 sq ft | 1,644 sq ft |
| Homesteaded (owner-occupied) share | 86% | 61% |
Housing-stock figures from the Florida Department of Revenue 2025 assessment roll (public records).
Price history, year by year
| Year | James Island median | Kensington median |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | $100K (32 sales) | $123K (16 sales) |
| 2013 | $116K (60 sales) | $165K (21 sales) |
| 2014 | $120K (57 sales) | $172K (31 sales) |
| 2015 | $114K (58 sales) | $186K (24 sales) |
| 2016 | $125K (70 sales) | $203K (24 sales) |
| 2017 | $135K (62 sales) | $219K (24 sales) |
| 2018 | $159K (55 sales) | $235K (39 sales) |
| 2019 | $159K (60 sales) | $242K (16 sales) |
| 2020 | $165K (59 sales) | $275K (26 sales) |
| 2021 | $182K (63 sales) | $300K (25 sales) |
| 2022 | $270K (52 sales) | $390K (25 sales) |
| 2023 | $254K (52 sales) | $378K (14 sales) |
| 2024 | $240K (33 sales) | $426K (18 sales) |
| 2025 | $229K (34 sales) | $400K (21 sales) |
| 2026 | $212K (32 sales) | $390K (18 sales) |
Since 2012, James Island's median sale price is +112% and Kensington's is +217% — Kensington has appreciated faster over that stretch.
How each one trades
| James Island | Kensington | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale-to-original-list | 93.7% | 98.3% |
| New-construction share of sales | 0% | 0% |
| Typical sold home | 1,192 sq ft | 1,587 sq ft |
| Momentum market-heat score | 19 (cold) | 42 (normal) |
Last 12 months of recorded closings; sale-to-original-list is the share of the first asking price sellers actually got.
Schools the listings are zoned for
| James Island | Kensington | |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Twin Lakes Academy | Kernan Trail |
| Middle | Twin Lakes Academy | Kernan |
| High school | Atlantic Coast | Sandalwood |
The school most often recorded on each community's MLS listings. Always confirm a specific address with the district.
Momentum Realty agents have closed 1 home in James Island and 1 in Kensington (brokerage records, both sides counted once). Find an agent who works James Island · Kensington.
Which one fits
On budget alone, Kensington is the lower entry point (median $186K vs $228K). Buyers who want newer construction (fewer near-term roof, HVAC and re-plumb items, and easier insurance quotes in Florida) will find it in James Island; Kensington trades that for a more established street and, typically, larger lots. Sellers get a faster sale in Kensington (90 days on market on average); buyers get more negotiating room where homes sit longer.
Neither number set decides it: drive both on a weekday evening, check the HOA documents and the flood zone for the exact street, and price the insurance before you write an offer. A Momentum agent who works both communities can pull the comparable sales for any two specific homes.
Questions people ask
Is James Island more expensive than Kensington?
Yes, on recent sales: the median sale price in James Island is $228,000 versus $186,000 in Kensington, about 23% higher.
How far apart are James Island and Kensington?
About 5 miles straight-line, center to center, both in Duval County; driving distance is usually 15 to 30 percent more.
Which has newer homes, James Island or Kensington?
James Island: its homes were built 1999–2002 with a median year of 2000, versus a median of 1991 in Kensington (Florida DOR assessment roll).
Which has bigger homes?
James Island. The typical home there is 3,020 sq ft of living area, versus 1,644 sq ft in Kensington.
Which has appreciated more, James Island or Kensington?
From 2012 to 2026 the median sale price rose 112% in James Island and 217% in Kensington (recorded MLS closings by calendar year).
Where do sellers get closer to asking price?
Kensington — sellers there received 98.3% of the original list price over the last 12 months versus 93.7% in James Island.
What high schools serve James Island and Kensington?
Listings in James Island most often report Atlantic Coast; listings in Kensington report Sandalwood. Zoning is set by the district and can change - verify by address.
Go deeper on each: James Island homes, photos & schools · Kensington homes, photos & schools
Figures are aggregates from realMLS / DBAAR, updated regularly. Thinking about either? Talk to Momentum Realty.