CountyScore

Barbour County

Alabama · AL

#28 in Alabama
71.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Barbour County, Alabama

Barbour well above national livability baseline

Barbour's composite score of 71.3 is 43% higher than the national median of 50.0, demonstrating strong overall livability despite its small-town character. The county punches above its weight on affordability and tax burden metrics.

Slight edge over Alabama average

Barbour scores 71.3 compared to Alabama's state average of 70.8, placing it marginally above the state median. The county ranks among Alabama's more livable rural communities.

Extremely affordable small-town living

Barbour delivers exceptional affordability with a cost score of 87.4, median rent of just $644, and median home values of $109,900—the lowest in this group. The tax score of 91.6 adds another layer of financial relief for residents on tight budgets.

Limited income and health concerns

Barbour faces significant structural headwinds: an income score of just 12.3 reflects median household income of $44,290, well below state average. Health outcomes also lag with a score of 55.5, signaling potential healthcare access or lifestyle challenges in this rural county.

Best for retirees and minimalists

Barbour suits fixed-income retirees, remote workers, and families seeking ultra-low cost of living in a rural setting. This county rewards those who've built wealth elsewhere and now prioritize affordability over economic dynamism.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax91.6Cost87.4SafetyComing SoonHealth55.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome12.3Risk51.9WaterComing Soon
🏛91.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼12.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤55.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡51.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Barbour County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Marengo County
Alabama
71.3
Median income: $44,205
Clark County
Arkansas
71.3
Median income: $50,985
Jefferson County
Florida
71.3
Median income: $56,984
Lafayette County
Florida
71.3
Median income: $60,692
Harris County
Georgia
71.3
Median income: $89,184

Deep Dives

Barbour County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Barbour County

via TaxByCounty

Barbour's rate is high, but burden remains modest

Barbour County has Alabama's second-highest effective tax rate at 0.378%, yet homeowners still pay just $415 annually—a fraction of the national median of $2,690. The discrepancy reflects Barbour's low median home values of $109,900, placing it near the bottom nationally for property values.

Second-highest tax rate in Alabama

At 0.378%, Barbour County ranks second among Alabama's 67 counties for property tax rate, exceeding the state average of 0.339% by nearly 1 percentage point. This elevated rate, combined with modest home values, produces a median tax of $415—below the state median of $511.

Higher rates in rural southeast Alabama

Barbour's 0.378% rate is notably higher than neighboring Houston County but reflects typical tax pressures in rural southeastern Alabama. The county's $109,900 median home value is among the region's lowest, meaning the higher rate burden falls on less valuable properties.

Budget around $415 on a typical Barbour home

A homeowner with a $109,900 property in Barbour County pays approximately $415 annually in property taxes. Mortgage-paying residents may see $585 annually in escrow, while those owning free-and-clear typically pay roughly $289.

Challenge your assessment in a declining market

Barbour's rural economy means property values have shifted significantly; if your home was last assessed years ago, it may be overvalued today. An appeal based on recent comparable sales could help bring your assessment—and tax bill—down to market reality.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Barbour County

via CostByCounty

Barbour offers nationally low housing costs

Renters in Barbour County spend just 17.4% of their income on housing, beating the national average of 18% and the state average of 18%. However, the county's median household income of $44,290 falls far below the national median of $74,755, indicating rural economic challenges alongside affordable housing.

Alabama's most affordable county

Barbour County ranks as the state's most affordable housing market, with the lowest median rents and home values across Alabama. The county's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio is the best in this group, making it ideal for cost-conscious households.

Cheapest rents and homes in the region

Barbour's median rent of $644 is the lowest among all eight counties, undercutting even rural Bibb ($802) and Bullock ($635) counties. Its median home value of $109,900 makes homeownership accessible, though the county's low incomes mean housing savings don't always offset wage disadvantages.

Rock-bottom costs, limited income opportunities

Renters pay just $644 monthly and homeowners $632, costs that consume less than 20% of the county's $44,290 median income. While housing affordability shines, the underlying income challenge means residents stretch thin on other essentials despite low rent burdens.

Ideal for remote workers with fixed income

Barbour County's $644 median rent and affordable home values make it perfect for remote workers or retirees with income independent of local job markets. If you can earn elsewhere, Barbour's housing costs offer substantial savings; however, job-seekers should explore other Alabama counties first.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Barbour County

via IncomeByCounty

Barbour lags significantly behind national average

Barbour County's median household income of $44,290 trails the national median of $74,755 by $30,465—a 41% gap that places it among lower-income counties nationwide. This substantial shortfall reflects structural economic challenges and limited job opportunities in the region.

Below state average, among Alabama's poorest

At $44,290, Barbour's median household income falls 18% below Alabama's already-modest state average of $54,196. The county ranks among Alabama's most economically stressed regions, competing with other rural counties for limited employment and economic development resources.

Shared struggles with rural Alabama counties

Barbour's $44,290 income mirrors challenges faced by Bullock County ($36,723) and Butler County ($44,881), forming a cluster of economically stressed rural counties. Unlike the wealthier coastal and suburban regions, Barbour lacks the diversified job base necessary to support higher household earnings.

Rents affordable, but wages remain strained

Barbour's rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% remains reasonable, and median home values of just $109,900 make homeownership theoretically accessible. However, the underlying income challenge means many households live paycheck-to-paycheck despite lower housing costs, limiting discretionary spending and emergency savings.

Prioritize emergency savings before investing

For Barbour households earning $44,290 annually, wealth-building begins with financial stability—establish a three-month emergency fund before pursuing investment accounts. Low-cost community development resources, microfinance programs, and employer 401(k) matching (if available) offer starting points for building assets despite income constraints.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Barbour County

via HealthByCounty

Barbour faces significant health challenges

At 72.7 years, Barbour's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 73.4 years, and 28.4% of adults report poor or fair health—far above national norms. These gaps signal underlying barriers to care, chronic disease burden, or socioeconomic factors that affect daily wellness across the county.

Among Alabama's lowest-performing health counties

Barbour's 72.7-year life expectancy sits slightly above Alabama's 72.1 state average, but the 28.4% poor/fair health rate ranks among the worst in the state. With 12.1% uninsured—above the state's 11.1% average—a significant share of residents lack stable healthcare coverage.

Struggling compared to surrounding rural counties

Barbour's 72.7-year life expectancy falls behind counties like Talbot and Russell nearby, and the 28.4% poor/fair health rate is concerning. With just 40 primary care providers and 29 mental health providers per 100K, residents face real gaps in accessing preventive and behavioral health services.

Insurance gaps compound limited provider access

Barbour's 12.1% uninsured rate means roughly 2,400 residents lack health coverage, facing barriers to routine care and emergency services. With only 40 primary care and 29 mental health providers per 100K, residents often must travel significant distances for specialist consultation or mental health support.

Take action: Get covered and stay healthy

In Barbour County, 12.1% of residents lack insurance—leaving families exposed to medical debt and delayed care that compounds health problems. Contact the Alabama Medicaid office or visit Healthcare.gov to enroll in coverage; many plans are free or low-cost for eligible families.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Barbour County

via RiskByCounty

Barbour at lower-than-average risk nationally

Barbour County's composite risk score of 48.12 ranks it as Relatively Low compared to national averages. The county avoids extreme exposure to most major hazards, though tornado and hurricane risks remain noteworthy.

Among Alabama's safest counties

Barbour's 48.12 score sits notably below Alabama's state average of 61.54, placing it in the lower-risk tier statewide. This central-eastern location keeps it beyond the coast's hurricane reach and away from Alabama's most seismically active zones.

Barbour safer than most nearby counties

Barbour (48.12) has lower risk than neighboring Blount County (68.48) and Autauga County (57.57), though it faces similar tornado exposure. Its relative safety makes it an attractive comparison point within the region's mid-risk landscape.

Tornadoes and hurricanes are primary concerns

Tornado risk of 78.63 and hurricane risk of 79.97 represent Barbour's highest hazard exposures, reflecting the county's inland position within Alabama's storm-prone corridor. Flood risk of 50.76 remains moderate and manageable with proper planning.

Prioritize storm and wind protection

Barbour residents should ensure their homeowners insurance includes wind and hail coverage for tornado events, and consider a safe room or basement shelter. Flood insurance is advisable for properties in or near mapped floodplains, though risk is lower than coastal areas.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.