Choctaw
Alabama

What stands out

If you had to describe Choctaw County in numbers, start here: the property tax rate is among the lowest in America (0.22%), the share working from home is among the lowest in America (1%), and the school test score is among the lowest in America (2.13 where 3.0 is grade level). Within Alabama it ranks 1st of 67 counties for the property tax rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Choctaw County, Alabama. 12,669 people live here with you. The population shrank 1.4% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -88).

Alabama's property taxes are among the lowest in the country because assessments are capped at a fraction of market value, but the state makes it up with one of the highest combined sales-tax rates, and groceries are taxed. Huntsville's aerospace and defense payroll sets it apart from the rest of the state; the Gulf coast around Mobile and Baldwin County carries real hurricane exposure and insurance costs to match.

Money

The typical household here brings in $43,299 a year, lower than 90% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $61,814. Unemployment runs 3.8%, higher than 65% of American counties. 1% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 35 minutes each way.

Alabama takes 4.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,125 a year.

Home

The median home costs $123K, cheaper than 93% of American counties, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $442 a month. Property tax is 0.22% of home value, roughly $222 a year on that median home, lower than almost every county in America. 82% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.7 per 1,000 residents, higher than 89% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 13 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 73.8 years, shorter than 72% of American counties. There are 7 active physicians in the county, about 5.5 per 10,000 people. 10.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.34 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than almost every county in America. 82% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 16 points. 73% of eligible voters turned out. Under Alabama law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 66°F, highs near 78 and lows near 54, warmer than 85% of American counties. About 49 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 74 out of 100, riskier than 74% of American counties; the county has had 28 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 49 Mbps down, slower than 98% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.