Baldwin County
AL · Pop. 239,945 · Mixed County
Baldwin County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Alabama, spanning 1,590 square miles with 239,945 residents at a density of 150.9 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on peanuts, soybeans, cotton. A median home price of $287,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.31% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 263-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.8°F and average winter lows of 39.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 67.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Thomas Hospital is 12.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 263-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.31% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 90.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.5% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 10.5% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
At a glance
Baldwin County, AL is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 41/100
- Median home price
- $287k
- Property tax
- 0.31%
- Growing season
- 263 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 67.3"
- Broadband
- 90.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Thomas Hospital, 12.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Baldwin County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Baldwin County?
- Baldwin County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 263-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.8°F, and average winter lows of 39.9°F. The established crops are peanuts, soybeans, cotton.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $287,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.31%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 90.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Thomas Hospital is 12.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.
Explore Alabama Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Alabama
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The closest counties to Baldwin County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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