Lawrence County
AL · Pop. 33,182 · Suburban County
Lawrence County sits in Alabama across 691 square miles, home to 33,182 people at 48 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on cotton, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $151,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.3% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 206-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.5°F and average winter lows of 31.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 57.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Lawrence Medical Center is 3.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 86.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 206-day growing season in USDA zone 8a 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 $151,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Lawrence Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 3.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on cotton, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
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.
At a glance
Lawrence County, AL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 78/100
- Median home price
- $151k
- Property tax
- 0.3%
- Growing season
- 206 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 57.2"
- Broadband
- 86.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Lawrence Medical Center, 3.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Lawrence County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Lawrence County?
- Lawrence County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 206-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.5°F, and average winter lows of 31.1°F. The established crops are cotton, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $151,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.3%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 86.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Lawrence Medical Center is 3.8 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 Lawrence 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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