Chilton County
AL · Pop. 45,500 · Suburban County
Chilton County is a suburban county in Alabama, spanning 693 square miles with 45,500 residents at a density of 65.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $142,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.34%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 249-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.4°F and average winter lows of 36.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 55.2 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. St. Vincent's Chilton is 6.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 249-day growing season in USDA zone 8a 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 $142,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- St. Vincent's Chilton, with an emergency room, is just 6.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.6% reflects a stable local job base.
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.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Chilton County, AL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 85/100
- Median home price
- $142k
- Property tax
- 0.34%
- Growing season
- 249 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 55.2"
- Broadband
- 88.9%
- Nearest hospital
- St. Vincent's Chilton, 6.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Chilton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Chilton County?
- Chilton County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 249-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.4°F, and average winter lows of 36.4°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $142,000 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 88.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- St. Vincent's Chilton is 6.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Alabama Resources
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More counties in Alabama
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The closest counties to Chilton 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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