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Escambia County

AL · Pop. 36,695 · Suburban County

70/100Homestead Score

Escambia County, Alabama covers 945 square miles with a population of 36,695 and a density of 38.8 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, peanuts, hay. The median home price is $123,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.4%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 233-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.6°F and average winter lows of 38.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 70.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. D. W. Mcmillan Memorial Hospital is 5.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 75.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.4%
Growing Season: 233 days
Broadband: 75.9%
Density: 38.8/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 233-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.4% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $123,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • D. W. Mcmillan Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.5% 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.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • Broadband reaches only 75.9% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.

At a glance

Escambia County, AL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
70/100
Median home price
$123k
Property tax
0.4%
Growing season
233 days (zone 8b)
Annual rainfall
70.7"
Broadband
75.9%
Nearest hospital
D. W. Mcmillan Memorial Hospital, 5.6 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.4%
Median Household Income$44,447
Poverty Rate21.2%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$123K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8b
Growing Season233 days
Annual Rainfall70.7 inches
Avg Summer High89.6°F
Avg Winter Low38.4°F
Top CropsCotton, Peanuts, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought7/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado9/10
Flood7/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalD. W. Mcmillan Memorial Hospital (5.6 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage75.9%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.5%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Escambia County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Escambia County?
Escambia County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 233-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.6°F, and average winter lows of 38.4°F. The established crops are cotton, peanuts, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $123,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.4%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 75.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
D. W. Mcmillan Memorial Hospital is 5.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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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.