Houston County
AL · Pop. 107,628 · Mixed County
Houston County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Alabama, spanning 580 square miles with 107,628 residents at a density of 185.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, peanuts, hay. A median home price of $178,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.3% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 266-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.5°F and average winter lows of 39.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 55.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Southeast Health Medical Center is 5.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.4% 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 266-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.3% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $178,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 95.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Southeast Health Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 5.6 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.
- A poverty rate of 18% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Houston County, AL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 67/100
- Median home price
- $178k
- Property tax
- 0.3%
- Growing season
- 266 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 55.9"
- Broadband
- 95.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Southeast Health Medical Center, 5.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Houston County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Houston County?
- Houston County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 266-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.5°F, and average winter lows of 39.7°F. The established crops are cotton, peanuts, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $178,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.3%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Southeast Health Medical Center is 5.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 5 hospitals 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 Houston 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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