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Macon County

AL · Pop. 18,951 · Suburban County

88/100Homestead Score

Macon County is a suburban county in Alabama, spanning 609 square miles with 18,951 residents at a density of 31.1 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, cotton, corn. The median home price is $96,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.49%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 239-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.4°F and average winter lows of 36.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 53.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System East Campus is 4.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 76% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.49%
Growing Season: 239 days
Broadband: 76%
Density: 31.1/sq mi

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 0.49% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $96,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System East Campus, with an emergency room, is just 4.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • Broadband reaches only 76% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
  • A poverty rate of 22.1% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
88/100
Median home price
$96k
Property tax
0.49%
Growing season
239 days (zone 8b)
Annual rainfall
53.2"
Broadband
76%
Nearest hospital
Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System East Campus, 4.2 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.49%
Median Household Income$45,951
Poverty Rate22.1%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$96K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8b
Growing Season239 days
Annual Rainfall53.2 inches
Avg Summer High90.4°F
Avg Winter Low36.6°F
Top CropsHay, Cotton, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire6/10
Tornado5/10
Flood4/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalCentral Alabama Veterans Health Care System East Campus (4.2 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage76%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Macon County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Macon County?
Macon County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 239-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.4°F, and average winter lows of 36.6°F. The established crops are hay, cotton, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $96,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.49%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 76% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System East Campus is 4.2 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.