CountyScore

Calhoun County

Alabama · AL

#58 in Alabama
68.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Calhoun County, Alabama

Calhoun exceeds national livability baseline

Calhoun's composite score of 68.1 is 36% above the national median of 50.0, ranking it firmly in the upper half of American counties. The county performs notably well on risk management, a key livability factor.

Slightly below Alabama's state average

Calhoun scores 68.1 compared to Alabama's state average of 70.8, placing it slightly below the state median. The county represents a solid mid-tier Alabama experience.

Exceptional risk management and stability

Calhoun stands out with an exceptional risk score of 11.5—among the lowest in the nation—indicating strong economic and environmental stability. The cost score of 83.1 provides reasonable affordability with median rent at $804 and median home values around $149,500.

Income opportunities remain modest

Calhoun's income score of 19.8 reflects median household income of $55,826, limiting earning potential for growth-focused households. The effective tax rate of 0.408% is the highest in this group, though still reasonable by national standards.

Stable choice for risk-conscious families

Calhoun suits families and retirees prioritizing safety and stability over maximum earning potential or cutting-edge affordability. The county offers predictability and reasonable living costs in an economically resilient environment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90.8Cost83.1SafetyComing SoonHealth60.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.8Risk11.5WaterComing Soon
🏛90.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡11.5
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 Calhoun County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Dallas County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $36,810
Houston County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $57,531
Pope County
Arkansas
68.1
Median income: $54,606
Summit County
Colorado
68.1
Median income: $106,255
Sussex County
Delaware
68.1
Median income: $78,162

Deep Dives

Calhoun County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Calhoun County

via TaxByCounty

Calhoun's rate is the highest, but still modest

Calhoun County's 0.408% effective tax rate ranks among the nation's higher county rates, yet homeowners pay just $610 annually on a $149,500 median home—roughly one-quarter the national median of $2,690. This reflects Alabama's consistently low property values across the state.

High rate, mid-range actual taxes

At 0.408%, Calhoun County has one of Alabama's highest effective tax rates, significantly exceeding the state average of 0.339%. Yet the $610 median tax sits above the state median of $511 only because Calhoun's home values are higher than the statewide average.

Steepest burden in northeast Alabama cluster

Calhoun's 0.408% rate is notably higher than neighboring Etowah and Talladega counties, making it the region's most aggressive taxer. However, with a $149,500 median home value typical of the area, the absolute dollars remain moderate compared to national standards.

Expect around $610 on median Calhoun home

A homeowner with Calhoun's $149,500 median-value property pays approximately $610 annually in property taxes. Those paying via mortgage see roughly $678 in annual escrow, while debt-free homeowners pay about $508.

High rates make reassessment reviews critical

With Alabama's highest tax rate in this group, Calhoun homeowners should actively contest inflated assessments. If your property was assessed when the market was stronger or hasn't been updated to reflect recent sales, an appeal could yield substantial annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Calhoun County

via CostByCounty

Calhoun slightly better than national average

Renters in Calhoun County spend 17.3% of their income on housing, beating the national average of 18% and the Alabama state average of 18%. The county's median household income of $55,826 lags the national median of $74,755, but housing affordability provides a meaningful offset.

Solid affordability within Alabama

Calhoun County ranks above-average for housing affordability in Alabama, with a 17.3% rent-to-income ratio that edges below the state norm. The county offers balanced rural living without the extremes seen in wealthier or poorer Alabama communities.

Moderate rents in a competitive peer group

Calhoun's median rent of $804 nearly ties Bibb County's $802 and sits between Barbour ($644) and Blount ($743), positioning it in the rural mainstream. Its median home value of $149,500 offers middle-ground pricing compared to coastal Baldwin ($287,000) and poorest rural counties under $130,000.

Balanced housing costs on modest income

Renters pay $804 monthly and homeowners $713 from a median income of $55,826, keeping combined housing costs under 27% of household budgets. This equilibrium makes Calhoun accessible for both renters and buyers seeking stable, affordable rural living.

Calhoun offers reliable rural-suburban balance

With a 17.3% rent-to-income ratio and median home values at $149,500, Calhoun County delivers dependable affordability for families seeking rural stability. Compare its $804 rent to your current housing burden and assess whether the county's job market aligns with your career trajectory.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Calhoun County

via IncomeByCounty

Calhoun nears national income average

Calhoun County's median household income of $55,826 falls $18,929 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle income range nationwide. While trailing the national average, Calhoun's income outpaces many rural counties and reflects a modest working-class economy.

Modestly above Alabama state average

Calhoun's median household income of $55,826 exceeds Alabama's state average of $54,196 by 3%, ranking it in the middle-upper tier of Alabama counties. The county performs better than rural areas but significantly lags more prosperous suburban and coastal regions.

Middle performer in regional income hierarchy

Calhoun's $55,826 income ranks fourth among the eight analyzed counties, comfortably ahead of struggling rural counties but trailing Blount ($61,096), Autauga ($69,841), and Baldwin ($75,019). The county represents Alabama's working-class backbone—neither prosperous nor deeply distressed.

Housing remains reasonably affordable

Calhoun's rent-to-income ratio of 17.3% sits well below the 20% affordability threshold, and median home values of $149,500 align with household income levels. Residents enjoy genuine housing affordability compared to national averages, freeing resources for other essential expenses and modest saving.

Leverage housing affordability into wealth building

Calhoun households earning $55,826 benefit from affordable housing that frees $200-$300 monthly compared to national housing costs. Channel this housing savings advantage into employer 401(k) contributions, Roth IRA accounts, and strategic home equity building to gradually accumulate meaningful assets over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Calhoun County

via HealthByCounty

Calhoun's life expectancy ranks among U.S. lowest

At 70.8 years, Calhoun residents live 2.6 years less than the U.S. average of 73.4 years—among the lowest nationwide. While 21.5% in poor/fair health is below some peer counties, the exceptionally short life span suggests high mortality from chronic disease, injury, or substance-related causes.

Critically low life expectancy for Alabama

Calhoun's 70.8-year life expectancy is the lowest in this eight-county analysis and trails Alabama's 72.1 state average by 1.3 years. At 11.8% uninsured, the county exceeds the state average, and with sparse primary care at 59 per 100K (though aided by 163 mental health providers), residents face fragmented care pathways.

Weakest outcomes despite some provider strengths

Calhoun's 70.8-year life expectancy significantly lags Talladega, Cleburne, and St. Clair counties, despite having reasonable primary care at 59 per 100K and exceptional mental health coverage at 163 per 100K. The mismatch suggests mental health and substance issues may be underlying drivers of shortened life spans.

Substance and behavioral health crisis evident

Calhoun's exceptionally high mental health provider ratio (163 per 100K) paired with the lowest life expectancy in the region suggests a serious substance abuse or mental health emergency. At 11.8% uninsured, many of the county's most vulnerable residents lack coverage for the robust behavioral health services available.

Coverage is lifesaving—enroll today

Calhoun County faces a severe public health crisis: 70.8-year life expectancy and 11.8% uninsured despite abundant mental health providers point to substance abuse and untreated behavioral illness. Get covered at Healthcare.gov or Alabama Medicaid now; accessing mental health and addiction treatment can directly extend life and quality of living.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Calhoun County

via RiskByCounty

Calhoun ranks as relatively moderate risk

Calhoun County's composite risk score of 88.45 ranks it as Relatively Moderate—above average for natural disaster exposure nationwide. The county faces significant exposure to multiple hazard types simultaneously, especially tornadoes and earthquakes.

Among Alabama's highest-risk counties

Calhoun's 88.45 score far exceeds Alabama's state average of 61.54, placing it among the state's most disaster-prone counties. This northeast Alabama location exposes it to tornadoes, earthquakes, flooding, and wildfire risks above statewide norms.

Calhoun faces significantly higher risks

Calhoun (88.45) has substantially higher risk than most neighboring counties including Blount (68.48), Autauga (57.57), and Bibb (39.12). Only Baldwin County (96.72) exceeds Calhoun's hazard exposure in the state, making it a high-risk outlier regionally.

Tornadoes and earthquakes drive risk

Tornado risk peaks at 98.22—among the nation's highest—while earthquake risk of 84.73 reflects Calhoun's position near the southeastern seismic zone. Flood risk of 89.54 and wildfire risk of 81.52 add substantial secondary concerns.

Comprehensive coverage is essential

Calhoun homeowners must invest in wind and hail coverage for tornado protection and should strongly consider earthquake insurance given the 84.73 risk score. Flood insurance is highly recommended, especially for properties near waterways, as the 89.54 flood risk represents substantial exposure.

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.