countyscore
53.5
County Score
Cost of Living 96.8Property Tax 93Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Bullock County, Alabama

Meets national average despite deep poverty

Bullock County scores 52.6, slightly above the national median of 50.0, a surprising achievement given its income score of just 1.4—the lowest in this group. This reflects how extreme affordability can offset economic hardship in livability calculations.

Right at Alabama's state average

Bullock scores 52.6, nearly matching Alabama's state average of 52.9, placing it in the middle tier of state counties. However, this ranking masks severe economic challenges underlying the overall score.

Extreme affordability and water quality excel

Housing is the most affordable in this group: median home value just $79,400, rent at $635/month, and cost score of 91.0. Water quality (86.0) and disaster risk (74.8) are also strong, reflecting good environmental conditions.

Severe income and health crises

Median household income of $36,723 is drastically low, reflecting pervasive poverty, and health outcomes (16.0) are among the worst in the nation. Schools (17.3) and safety (40.0) are also weak despite the risk score.

Only for those with substantial outside income

Bullock works exclusively for retirees with secure pensions or inherited wealth seeking minimal cost of living. Anyone dependent on local wages should avoid this county entirely.

204060801009396.8401617.30.274.88653.9Tax93Cost96.8Safety40Health16Schools17.3Income0.2Risk74.8Water86Weather53.953.5/100
This county
National avg
4 above average4 below average

Bullock County DNA

Foverall

How Bullock County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Bullock County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (96.8/100) but notably weak in Income (0.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
93+41
Cost
96.8+48.8
Safety
40-15
Health
16-34
Schools
17.3-36.7
Income
0.2-50.8
Risk
74.8+27.799999999999997
Water
86+28
Weather
53.9
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Many homeowners in Bullock County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$81,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$556/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$81,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$22,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $31,310/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

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Nearby counties

Macon County
Alabama
55.3
Pike County
Alabama
47.1
Barbour County
Alabama
45.8
Montgomery County
Alabama
48.3
Russell County
Alabama
56.3
Lee County
Alabama
42.3
Elmore County
Alabama
52.6
Crenshaw County
Alabama
55.8

Deep Dives

Bullock County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Bullock County

via TaxByCounty

Bullock's highest rate yields modest dollars

Bullock County has the highest effective tax rate in this group at 0.389%, yet residents pay just $309 annually on a $79,400 median home. This illustrates how low property values amplify the rate-burden disconnect: the rate is steep, but the actual dollars remain far below the national median of $2,690.

Alabama's highest property tax rate

Bullock County's 0.389% effective rate is the highest among Alabama's 67 counties, significantly exceeding the state average of 0.339%. Despite this elevated rate, the county's $309 median tax remains below the state median of $511 due to exceptionally low home values.

Steepest rate in rural east-central Alabama

Bullock's 0.389% rate far exceeds neighboring Barbour County's 0.378% and is well above the regional average. The county's $79,400 median home value represents the lowest in this group, reflecting the rural agricultural character of the area.

Budget around $309 on Bullock's median home

A homeowner with Bullock's $79,400 median-value property pays approximately $309 annually in property taxes. Those paying via mortgage see roughly $417 in annual escrow, while debt-free homeowners pay about $204.

Higher rates make appeals especially worthwhile

With Alabama's highest property tax rate, Bullock homeowners should prioritize assessment reviews—even small reductions yield meaningful savings. If your property's assessed value hasn't been updated to reflect the rural market's reality, an appeal could substantially lower your tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bullock County

via IncomeByCounty

Bullock faces severe income disadvantage nationally

Bullock County's median household income of $36,723 falls $38,032 below the national median of $74,755—a devastating 51% gap placing it among America's poorest counties. This extreme shortfall reflects decades of economic decline and severely limited employment opportunities in rural eastern Alabama.

Alabama's lowest income county analyzed

Bullock's $36,723 median household income represents 32% below Alabama's already-struggling state average of $54,196, making it the most economically distressed county in this analysis. Structural poverty, population decline, and limited economic infrastructure create ongoing hardship for residents.

Most struggling among regional peer group

Bullock's $36,723 income falls significantly below all comparison counties, including similarly rural Barbour ($44,290) and Butler ($44,881). The county faces the steepest economic challenges in this regional grouping, with household earnings barely half those of prosperous Baldwin County.

Low rents stretch thin paycheck dollars

Though Bullock's rent-to-income ratio of 20.8% slightly exceeds the affordability threshold and median home values of $79,400 are rock-bottom, the underlying income crisis remains acute. Many households cannot afford stable housing, food, and healthcare simultaneously despite low nominal housing costs.

Seek support resources, build emergency reserves first

Bullock households earning $36,723 face genuine survival-mode economics requiring immediate focus on emergency assistance and income stability before traditional wealth-building. Federal and state anti-poverty resources, workforce development programs, and basic financial literacy form the necessary foundation before considering investment strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Bullock County

via CrimeByCounty

Bullock County Boasts Low Total Crime

Bullock County maintains a total crime rate of 1365.2 per 100K, which is much lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This low volume earns the county a high safety score of 97.8.

Outperforming Alabama Safety Benchmarks

The county's safety score of 97.8 is higher than the state average of 97.3. Furthermore, its total crime rate is significantly lower than the Alabama average of 1731.0 per 100K.

Safer Total Rates Than Barbour County

Bullock County’s total crime rate of 1365.2 is much lower than Barbour County’s 1965.7. This makes Bullock one of the more secure options for residents in the southeastern Alabama region.

High Violent Crime Despite Low Totals

While total crime is low, the violent crime rate is 610.0 per 100K, which is nearly double the national average of 369.8. Property crime is uncharacteristically low at 755.2 compared to the national rate of 2,015.7.

Stay Vigilant and Secure

Given the higher violent crime rate, personal safety awareness is critical for residents. Ensure your home is well-secured and remain alert to your surroundings to maximize your personal and residential safety.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Bullock County

via WeatherByCounty

Subtropical warmth year round

Bullock's 63.4°F average temperature puts it above the national median within a subtropical climate zone. The area enjoys long growing seasons and very mild winters.

The Alabama climate bellwether

The county tracks very closely with the Alabama state average of 63.2°F. It represents the typical weather experience for a resident of the state.

Drier than western neighbors

It receives 55.1 inches of rain, which is drier than Butler's 60.3 inches despite their geographical proximity. This leads to slightly less humid conditions during the summer months.

Moderate heat and gentle winters

Extreme heat is limited to 54 days a year, significantly lower than other southern counties. Winters are mild with a December-February average of 48.1°F and only 0.6 inches of snow.

Year-round comfort management

Standard air conditioning systems handle the 79.7°F July average comfortably. Light winter gear suffices for the minimal snow and the 46.3°F average January lows.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Bullock County

via SoilByCounty

Deep South Acidic Profiles

Bullock County reflects the Alabama state pH average of 5.21, which is more acidic than the national 6.5 median. This level of acidity influences which nutrients are available to native plants and crops.

Textures of the Black Belt

Detailed sand and clay percentages for Bullock are not currently mapped in the state dataset. The county sits in a region known for varying textures that can shift quickly from heavy clay to sandy loam.

Enhancing Natural Soil Fertility

The state average organic matter of 1.74% indicates a need for soil building to reach the national 2.0% average. Higher organic content will support better water storage beyond the state average of 0.138 in/in.

Understanding Local Water Flow

No specific drainage class is currently identified for Bullock in the record. Because some local soils are famously slow-draining, testing is vital before starting any major construction or irrigation projects.

Generous Seasons in Zone 8b

Bullock's Zone 8b climate is ideal for long-season field crops and warm-weather fruits. Gardeners can enjoy an extended harvest season that stretches well into the late autumn months.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Bullock County

via LawnByCounty

Steady Maintenance in Bullock County

Bullock County features a lawn difficulty score of 33.2, making it slightly easier to manage than the state average. Its location in Zone 8b provides a robust environment for warm-season grasses. However, you should stay vigilant to keep your lawn looking its best compared to national standards.

Warm Summers and Plentiful Rain

The county experiences 54 extreme heat days per year, which is lower than the Alabama average of 64. Combined with 55.1 inches of annual precipitation, the climate is well-suited for consistent grass growth. This allows for a predictable maintenance schedule for most of the year.

Managing Your Soil Profile

Local data on soil pH and texture is currently limited for Bullock County. You should prioritize drainage management to handle the 55.1 inches of rainfall without drowning your lawn's roots. A basic soil test will reveal if you need to add any amendments like lime or sulfur.

Navigating Severe Drought Conditions

Bullock County is currently under 100% severe drought (D2+) coverage, following 23 weeks of drought over the past year. In these conditions, it is vital to reduce foot traffic on your lawn to prevent physical damage to thirsty grass. Prioritize watering newly established areas to ensure they survive the dry spell.

Establishing Your Zone 8b Lawn

Centipede and Zoysia grasses thrive in Bullock County’s heat and humidity. Aim to begin seeding or sodding after the last frost on March 25 to capitalize on the early growing season. This ensures your lawn has a strong foundation before the hottest summer months arrive.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bullock County's county score?
Bullock County, Alabama has a composite county score of 53.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Bullock County rank among counties in Alabama?
Bullock County ranks #34 among all counties in Alabama on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Bullock County, Alabama?
The median annual property tax in Bullock County is $332, with an effective tax rate of 0.41%. This earns Bullock County a tax score of 93/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Bullock County?
The median household income in Bullock County, Alabama is $31,310 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Bullock County earns an income score of 0.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Bullock County, Alabama a good place to live?
Bullock County scores 53.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #34 in Alabama. The best way to evaluate Bullock County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Bullock County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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