CountyScore

Blount County

Alabama · AL

#34 in Alabama
71
County Score

County Report Card

About Blount County, Alabama

Blount hits national livability target

Blount's composite score of 71.0 is 42% above the national median of 50.0, securing solid standing among American counties. The county balances affordability with reasonable income levels and low environmental risk.

Matches Alabama's state average

Blount scores 71.0 compared to Alabama's state average of 70.8, placing it right at the state median. The county represents a typical Alabama experience for middle-income households.

Balanced affordability and risk management

Blount combines a cost score of 83.8 with median rent of $743 and home values around $169,700—genuine affordability without being remote. The exceptional risk score of 31.5 signals strong environmental and economic stability, appealing to families seeking safety.

Income growth opportunities limited

Blount's income score of 23.3 reflects median household income of $61,096, moderate but not robust for a county near metropolitan areas. Health outcomes at 60.4 suggest room for improvement in preventive care and wellness infrastructure.

Sweet spot for middle-class families

Blount suits working families seeking balanced community with affordable housing, stable jobs, and reasonable safety. The county offers a classically livable small-town experience without extreme trade-offs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax93.8Cost83.8SafetyComing SoonHealth60.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.3Risk31.5WaterComing Soon
🏛93.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡31.5
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 Blount County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Clarke County
Alabama
71
Median income: $49,167
Dale County
Alabama
71
Median income: $53,955
Boone County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $54,195
Hempstead County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $47,654
Hot Spring County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $52,644

Deep Dives

Blount County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Blount County

via TaxByCounty

Blount's taxes rank far below national levels

Blount County's 0.299% effective tax rate translates to just $508 in annual taxes on the median home—about one-fifth the national median of $2,690. Even by Alabama standards, where tax burdens are nationally low, Blount offers competitive affordability.

Below-average taxes for the state

At 0.299%, Blount County's effective rate runs slightly below Alabama's state average of 0.339%, placing it in the lower half of the state's 67 counties. The county's $508 median tax sits just below the state median of $511, reflecting Blount's moderate home values.

Competitive with northeast Alabama counties

Blount's 0.299% rate is comparable to neighboring Etowah and St. Clair counties in the northeast region. With a $169,700 median home value, Blount sits in the moderate range for the area, balancing reasonable property values with favorable tax rates.

Expect about $508 annually on median home

A homeowner with Blount's $169,700 median-value property pays approximately $508 per year in property taxes. Mortgage-paying residents typically see $598 annually in escrow, while those owning free-and-clear pay around $422.

Review assessments if your home has declined

Blount County's growth has been uneven across neighborhoods; if your property has lost value or is assessed above recent comparable sales, you have grounds for appeal. Many homeowners find reassessments save them hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Blount County

via CostByCounty

Blount leads on housing affordability nationwide

Renters in Blount County spend just 14.6% of their income on housing, beating the national average of 18% by a commanding margin and the state average of 18%. This exceptional affordability, combined with a median household income of $61,096, positions Blount as one of the most livable counties in the broader region.

Alabama's affordability champion

Blount County's 14.6% rent-to-income ratio is the best in Alabama among these eight counties, reflecting the strongest housing-income balance. The county combines rural character with above-average incomes, a rare combination in rural Alabama.

Moderate rents, excellent income-to-cost ratio

Blount's median rent of $743 sits between rural peers Bibb ($802) and Calhoun ($804), yet its stronger median income of $61,096 yields superior affordability ratios. The county's median home value of $169,700 offers solid middle-ground pricing for homebuyers.

Balanced costs anchor strong affordability

Renters pay $743 monthly and homeowners $746 from a median income of $61,096, keeping combined housing costs at roughly 20% of household budgets. This equilibrium between rents and mortgages, paired with above-average county income, creates genuine financial breathing room.

Blount County delivers the best overall value

If affordability and reasonable incomes matter equally, Blount County offers the strongest package in this eight-county group at just 14.6% rent-to-income ratio. Evaluate whether your skills match the county's job market and whether $743 rent and $169,700 median home values fit your relocation goals.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Blount County

via IncomeByCounty

Blount approaches national median income

Blount County's median household income of $61,096 trails the national median of $74,755 by $13,659, positioning it in the middle-income bracket nationwide. While below the national average, Blount's income exceeds many rural counties and reflects a working-class economic base comparable to small industrial regions across America.

Well above Alabama average, solid performer

At $61,096, Blount's median household income exceeds Alabama's state average of $54,196 by 13%, placing it in the upper half of Alabama counties. The county benefits from industrial employment and proximity to Birmingham-area job markets, supporting more robust household earnings than rural peers.

Strong showing among regional competitors

Blount's $61,096 income ranks third-highest among the eight analyzed counties, exceeded only by Baldwin ($75,019) and Autauga ($69,841). The county outperforms struggling rural areas like Barbour and Bullock while maintaining distinctly working-class character compared to wealthier suburban neighbors.

Excellent rent affordability, reasonable housing costs

Blount County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.6% ranks as the lowest among all eight counties analyzed, indicating genuinely affordable housing for renters. Median home values of $169,700 remain accessible for dual-income households and provide solid owner-occupancy opportunities.

Maximize low housing costs to build wealth fast

Blount households benefit from exceptional housing affordability—with rent consuming just 14.6% of income, significant resources remain for investing and saving. Direct these savings advantages into retirement accounts, home equity building, and diversified investments to transform modest income into substantial long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Blount County

via HealthByCounty

Blount trails national averages on multiple metrics

At 72.9 years, Blount's life expectancy falls 0.5 years below the U.S. average of 73.4 years, and 22.6% of adults report poor or fair health—above national norms. These figures suggest that residents face barriers to preventive care or carry higher burdens of chronic disease.

Near state average with provider access concerns

Blount's 72.9-year life expectancy is just shy of Alabama's 72.1 state average, but the 12.5% uninsured rate exceeds the state's 11.1%, affecting nearly 3,200 residents. Provider access, particularly primary care at just 20 per 100K, is notably thin for a county of this size.

Lowest provider density in surrounding region

Blount's life expectancy of 72.9 years compares closely to Etowah and Saint Clair nearby, but the county's 20 primary care providers per 100K ranks lowest among its peers. Mental health coverage at 28 per 100K is similarly stretched, creating long waits and travel distances for behavioral care.

Critical shortage of primary care providers

Blount's 12.5% uninsured rate leaves roughly 3,200 residents without coverage, and those with insurance face a severe bottleneck: just 20 primary care providers per 100K, the lowest in the region. Mental health providers at 28 per 100K further strain access, forcing many residents to travel 30+ minutes for routine appointments.

Don't delay—get health coverage now

Blount County's 12.5% uninsured rate is among the state's highest, leaving over 3,000 residents at risk for preventable illness and medical debt. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit Healthcare.gov to enroll in coverage; with limited providers, having insurance ensures you get timely access to care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Blount County

via RiskByCounty

Blount faces moderate national risk profile

Blount County's composite risk score of 68.48 ranks it as Relatively Low compared to high-risk counties nationwide, though above the national median. The county's northern location exposes it to severe tornadoes and flooding but shields it from coastal hurricanes.

Mid-tier risk within Alabama

Blount's 68.48 score exceeds Alabama's state average of 61.54, placing it in the upper-middle range of state risk. The county experiences more tornado and earthquake exposure than southern Alabama counties but less hurricane risk.

Blount faces higher tornado and flood risks

Blount (68.48) has elevated hazard exposure compared to nearby Bibb (39.12) and Autauga (57.57), primarily driven by tornado risk of 92.02. Its northern elevation and geography make it more vulnerable to severe convective storms than central counties.

Tornadoes dominate Blount's hazard landscape

Tornado risk peaks at 92.02—one of the state's highest—reflecting Blount's position in Alabama's tornado-prone northwest. Flood risk of 69.47 adds secondary concern, as heavy rains from storms can overwhelm local waterways.

Invest in tornado safety measures

Blount homeowners should prioritize a designated safe room or basement shelter for tornado events and maintain comprehensive wind and hail coverage. Flood insurance is strongly recommended for properties near streams or in mapped floodplains, given the county's moderate flood risk.

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.