Pickens
Alabama

What stands out

If you had to describe Pickens County in numbers, start here: the typical two-bedroom rent is among the lowest in America ($386 a month), the property tax rate is in the bottom 2% of American counties (0.31%), and the average commute is in the top 2% of American counties (34 minutes). Within Alabama it ranks 1st of 67 counties for the typical two-bedroom rent, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Pickens County, Alabama. 18,925 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +22).

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 $45,339 a year, lower than 88% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,820. Unemployment runs 3.3%, lower than 56% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 34 minutes each way.

Alabama takes 4.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,227 a year.

Home

The median home costs $142K, cheaper than 87% of American counties, about 2.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $386 a month. Property tax is 0.31% of home value, roughly $372 a year on that median home, lower than 98% of American counties. 74% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.6 per 1,000 residents, higher than 84% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 17 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 72.2 years, shorter than 86% of American counties. There are 8 active physicians in the county, about 4.2 per 10,000 people. 9.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.74 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 87% of American counties. 85% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 16 points. 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 65°F, highs near 76 and lows near 53, warmer than 82% of American counties. About 60 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 45 out of 100, safer than 55% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 151 Mbps down, slower than 71% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.