Elmore County
AL · Pop. 88,669 · Mixed County
Elmore County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Alabama, spanning 619 square miles with 88,669 residents at a density of 143.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, hay, corn. A median home price of $214,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.26% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 239-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.3°F and average winter lows of 36.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 51.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Elmore Community Hospital is 4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.5% 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 239-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.26% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 95.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Elmore Community Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.3% 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.
At a glance
Elmore County, AL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 70/100
- Median home price
- $214k
- Property tax
- 0.26%
- Growing season
- 239 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 51.3"
- Broadband
- 95.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Elmore Community Hospital, 4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Elmore County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Elmore County?
- Elmore County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 239-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.3°F, and average winter lows of 36.9°F. The established crops are cotton, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $214,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.26%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Elmore Community Hospital is 4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Alabama Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Alabama
All Alabama countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Elmore 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.