Marshall County
AL · Pop. 98,712 · Mixed County
Marshall County, Alabama covers 566 square miles with a population of 98,712 and a density of 174.4 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $183,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.38% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 244-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F and average winter lows of 34.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 54.8 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Marshall Medical Centers North Campus is 6.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 244-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.38% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $183,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 93.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Marshall Medical Centers North Campus, with an emergency room, is just 6.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
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.
At a glance
Marshall County, AL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $183k
- Property tax
- 0.38%
- Growing season
- 244 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 54.8"
- Broadband
- 93.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Marshall Medical Centers North Campus, 6.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Marshall County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Marshall County?
- Marshall County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 244-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F, and average winter lows of 34.1°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $183,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.38%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Marshall Medical Centers North Campus is 6.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Alabama Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Alabama
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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.
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