Your life in Wilcox County, Alabama

What stands out

Three things set Wilcox County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the school test score is among the lowest in America (1.93 where 3.0 is grade level), unemployment is among the highest in America (7.8%), and the property tax rate is in the bottom 2% of American counties (0.32%). Within Alabama it ranks 2nd of 67 counties for the school test score, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Wilcox County, Alabama. 10,441 people live here with you. The population shrank 1.9% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -147).

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 $38,208 a year, lower than 95% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $56,070. Unemployment runs 7.8%, higher than almost every county in America. 3% of workers work from home.

Alabama takes 4.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,870 a year.

Home

The median home costs $146K, cheaper than 86% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $547 a month. Property tax is 0.32% of home value, roughly $267 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 5.2 per 1,000 residents, higher than 97% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 16 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 68.9 years, shorter than 98% of American counties. There are 4 active physicians in the county, about 3.8 per 10,000 people. 10.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 1.96 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than almost every county in America. 78% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 38 points. 74% 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 79 and lows near 54, warmer than 87% of American counties. About 44 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 23 out of 100, safer than 77% of American counties; the county has had 22 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 108 Mbps down, slower than 85% 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.

Where these numbers come from

• BLS QCEW 2024
• CDC 2024
• CMS 2024
• Census 2023
• Census ACS
• Census ACS 2022
• Census Population Estimates 2023
• Census SAHIE 2024
• County Health Rankings 2024
• Derived from ACS 2022 home value / household income
• FAA Airport Database
• FEMA Disaster Declarations 1953–2026
• FEMA National Risk Index 2023 (0–100, all hazards)
• HRSA Area Health Resources File 2023
• IMLS
• NOAA Climate Normals
• National Park Service
• Ookla Speedtest Intelligence
• Open Brewery DB
• OpenElections 2024
• SEDA via County Health Rankings 2024 (3.0 = at grade level; not a Z-score)
• Tax Foundation 2023
• USDA Food Environment Atlas
• Zillow ZHVI 2024
• Alabama tax and law data: state revenue department, Tax Foundation, Giffords, Guttmacher (2026)

Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure. Missing figures are left out rather than guessed. Share this page: the address is permanent.