Fayette
Alabama

What stands out

Three things set Fayette County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the property tax rate is among the lowest in America (0.29%), rainfall is among the wettest in America (63 inches a year), and the typical two-bedroom rent is in the bottom 7% of American counties ($585 a month). Within Alabama it ranks 13th of 67 counties for the property tax rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Fayette County, Alabama. 16,297 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -18).

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 $45,650 a year, lower than 87% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $44,897. Unemployment runs 2.7%, lower than 75% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home.

Alabama takes 4.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,243 a year.

Home

The median home costs $146K, cheaper than 85% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $585 a month. Property tax is 0.29% of home value, roughly $322 a year on that median home, lower than almost every county in America. 76% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.7 per 1,000 residents, higher than 88% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 24 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 71.3 years, shorter than 92% of American counties. There are 9 active physicians in the county, about 5.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 10.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.81 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 79% of American counties. 84% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 67 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 68% 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 63°F, highs near 75 and lows near 52, warmer than 78% of American counties. About 63 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 29 out of 100, safer than 71% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 261 Mbps down, faster than 79% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.