Russell County
AL · Pop. 58,858 · Suburban County
Russell County, Alabama covers 641 square miles with a population of 58,858 and a density of 91.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $152,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.41% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 238-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.2°F and average winter lows of 38°F. Annual rainfall averages 50.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Midtown Medical Center West is 17.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 238-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.41% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $152,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- 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 22.2% 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
Russell County, AL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 77/100
- Median home price
- $152k
- Property tax
- 0.41%
- Growing season
- 238 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 50.6"
- Broadband
- 99.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Midtown Medical Center West, 17.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Russell County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Russell County?
- Russell County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 238-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.2°F, and average winter lows of 38°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $152,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.41%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Midtown Medical Center West is 17.7 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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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Alabama
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The closest counties to Russell 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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