Dallas County
AL · Pop. 37,536 · Suburban County
Dallas County, Alabama covers 979 square miles with a population of 37,536 and a density of 38.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, cotton, soybeans. A median home price of $97,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.42% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 250-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.1°F and average winter lows of 37.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 51.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Vaughan Regional Medical Center - Parkway Campus is 7.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 76.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 250-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.42% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $97,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Vaughan Regional Medical Center - Parkway Campus, with an emergency room, is just 7.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- 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.
- Broadband reaches only 76.6% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- A poverty rate of 29% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Dallas County, AL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 80/100
- Median home price
- $97k
- Property tax
- 0.42%
- Growing season
- 250 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 51.1"
- Broadband
- 76.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Vaughan Regional Medical Center - Parkway Campus, 7.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Dallas County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Dallas County?
- Dallas County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 250-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.1°F, and average winter lows of 37.2°F. The established crops are hay, cotton, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $97,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.42%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 76.6% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Vaughan Regional Medical Center - Parkway Campus is 7.5 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 Dallas 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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