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Lee County

AL · Pop. 177,663 · Mixed County

60/100Homestead Score

Lee County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Alabama, spanning 608 square miles with 177,663 residents at a density of 292.2 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, soybeans, haylage. A median home price of $239,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.5% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 242-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.2°F and average winter lows of 35.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 53.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. East Alabama Medical Center is 3.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.6% 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: 0.5%
Growing Season: 242 days
Broadband: 97.6%
Density: 292.2/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 242-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.5% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 97.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • East Alabama Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 3.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 2.5% 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.
  • A poverty rate of 18.9% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.

At a glance

Lee County, AL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
60/100
Median home price
$239k
Property tax
0.5%
Growing season
242 days (zone 8b)
Annual rainfall
53.6"
Broadband
97.6%
Nearest hospital
East Alabama Medical Center, 3.8 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.5%
Median Household Income$61,123
Poverty Rate18.9%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$239K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8b
Growing Season242 days
Annual Rainfall53.6 inches
Avg Summer High89.2°F
Avg Winter Low35.5°F
Top CropsHay, Soybeans, Haylage

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado8/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalEast Alabama Medical Center (3.8 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage97.6%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.5%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Lee County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Lee County?
Lee County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 242-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.2°F, and average winter lows of 35.5°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, haylage.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $239,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.5%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 97.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
East Alabama Medical Center is 3.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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.