Butler County
AL · Pop. 18,807 · Rural County
Butler County sits in Alabama across 777 square miles, home to 18,807 people at 24.2 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, melons. A median home price of $100,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.34% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 223-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.6°F and average winter lows of 35.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 57.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Regional Medical Center of Central Alabama is 5.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 69% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 223-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.34% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $100,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Regional Medical Center of Central Alabama, with an emergency room, is just 5.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 24.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Broadband reaches only 69% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- A poverty rate of 21% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Butler County, AL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 90/100
- Median home price
- $100k
- Property tax
- 0.34%
- Growing season
- 223 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 57.4"
- Broadband
- 69%
- Nearest hospital
- Regional Medical Center of Central Alabama, 5.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Butler County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Butler County?
- Butler County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 223-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.6°F, and average winter lows of 35.2°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, melons.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $100,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.34%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 69% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Regional Medical Center of Central Alabama is 5.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Alabama Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Alabama
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The closest counties to Butler 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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