Lawrence
Alabama

What stands out

If you had to describe Lawrence County in numbers, start here: home internet speed is among the fastest in America (375 Mbps), the property tax rate is in the bottom 2% of American counties (0.33%), and the share working from home is in the bottom 5% of American counties (2%). Within Alabama it ranks 1st of 67 counties for home internet speed.

Where you are

You live in Lawrence County, Alabama. 33,116 people live here with you. The population grew 0.9% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +420).

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 $54,786 a year, lower than 68% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $51,594. Unemployment runs 2.4%, lower than 87% of American counties. 2% of workers work from home.

Alabama takes 4.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,699 a year.

Home

The median home costs $225K, cheaper than 53% of American counties, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $618 a month. Property tax is 0.33% of home value, roughly $442 a year on that median home, lower than 98% of American counties. 79% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.5 per 1,000 residents, higher than 81% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 19 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 71.6 years, shorter than 90% of American counties. There are 10 active physicians in the county, about 3.0 per 10,000 people. 11.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.80 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 79% of American counties. 83% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 55 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 63% 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 62°F, highs near 73 and lows near 51, warmer than 73% of American counties. About 56 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 60 out of 100, riskier than 61% of American counties; the county has had 22 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 375 Mbps down, faster than almost every county in America. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.