Covington County's composite score of 70.8 outperforms the national median of 50.0 by 42%, placing it at the 71st percentile nationally. The county delivers solid livability across core measures.
2 / 5
Right at Alabama's statewide mean
Covington's composite score of 70.8 matches Alabama's state average exactly, positioning it squarely in the middle tier of Alabama counties. It represents the typical livability experience for Alabamians.
3 / 5
Lowest tax burden in the sample
Covington leads with a tax score of 95.2 and an effective tax rate of just 0.251%, the lowest among these eight counties. Combined with a cost score of 86.9 and median home value of $142,500, the county offers excellent value for cost-conscious residents.
4 / 5
Income and health present gaps
The income score of 16.6 reflects a median household income of $50,886, below regional expectations. Health outcomes (60.6) and particularly the risk score of 17.6 suggest residents face elevated safety or environmental concerns.
5 / 5
Sweet spot for tax-smart families
Covington County suits families prioritizing minimal tax liability and affordable homeownership in a stable Southerner setting. It's a pragmatic choice for those balancing modest incomes with the desire to preserve every dollar.
Covington County's composite score of 70.8 outperforms the national median of 50.0 by 42%, placing it at the 71st percentile nationally. The county delivers solid livability across core measures.
Right at Alabama's statewide mean
Covington's composite score of 70.8 matches Alabama's state average exactly, positioning it squarely in the middle tier of Alabama counties. It represents the typical livability experience for Alabamians.
Lowest tax burden in the sample
Covington leads with a tax score of 95.2 and an effective tax rate of just 0.251%, the lowest among these eight counties. Combined with a cost score of 86.9 and median home value of $142,500, the county offers excellent value for cost-conscious residents.
Income and health present gaps
The income score of 16.6 reflects a median household income of $50,886, below regional expectations. Health outcomes (60.6) and particularly the risk score of 17.6 suggest residents face elevated safety or environmental concerns.
Sweet spot for tax-smart families
Covington County suits families prioritizing minimal tax liability and affordable homeownership in a stable Southerner setting. It's a pragmatic choice for those balancing modest incomes with the desire to preserve every dollar.
Score breakdown
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🏛95.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.251%, Covington County's effective property tax rate is less than 30% of the national average of 0.89%, placing it in the bottom 5th percentile nationwide. The median annual tax of $358 represents only 13% of the national median of $2,690.
Well below Alabama's state average
Covington's 0.251% rate ranks among the lowest in Alabama, trailing the state average of 0.339% by roughly 26%. Its median tax of $358 is about 30% lower than Alabama's statewide median of $511.
Second-lowest rate in the region
Only Coosa County (0.271%) has a lower tax rate than Covington's 0.251%, making Covington the second-most affordable in this eight-county comparison. This positions Covington well for homeowners seeking minimal tax burden.
What homeowners pay annually
A homeowner with a median-valued property ($142,500) in Covington pays approximately $358 per year in taxes. Mortgaged properties may see that increase slightly to $383.
Double-check your assessment before paying
Property assessment errors can still affect tax bills, even in low-rate counties—request a copy of your assessment and verify it reflects your home's true current value. Many Alabama counties allow free assessment challenges; check your county assessor's office for deadline dates.
Covington County's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the national average, offering residents solid affordability on a median household income of $50,886. The $736 median monthly rent is modest, making housing a manageable expense for most households.
Covington rivals Alabama's best affordability
At 17.4%, Covington performs slightly better than Alabama's 18.0% state average for rent burden, positioning it among the state's more affordable counties. The $736 median rent is about 8% below the state average, providing tangible savings for renters.
Mid-range costs, solid value
Covington's $736 rent falls in the middle of regional options, cheaper than Colbert and Cullman but slightly pricier than Coosa. The county offers balanced affordability—not the cheapest, but with reasonable incomes supporting housing costs effectively.
Balanced housing investment
Renters spending $736 monthly against a $50,886 household income allocate 17.4% to rent, leaving substantial funds for other needs. Homeowners pay $552 monthly with a median home value of $142,500, offering middle-market accessibility for buyers.
Covington balances cost and access
Covington deserves attention if you want solid affordability without the lowest costs in the region—it offers good value and steadier community resources. Compare the $736 rent against neighbors and the $142,500 median home price against counties both cheaper and pricier.
Covington County's median household income of $50,886 falls $23,869 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower third nationally. The county also underperforms Alabama's state average of $54,196, though the gap is smaller than the national difference.
Covington ranks in Alabama's lower-middle tier
Covington County ranks below the state median among Alabama's 67 counties with household income of $50,886. The county sits in the lower-middle range regionally, facing tougher economic conditions than more than half of its state peers.
Covington trails most surrounding counties
Covington County's $50,886 median household income falls below several neighboring south-central Alabama counties with stronger job markets. Its per capita income of $30,151 remains modest, indicating limited wage advancement and professional opportunities in the area.
Renters face moderate affordability pressures
Covington County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% sits below the 30% threshold but signals mounting cost pressure for lower-earning households. The median home value of $142,500 requires careful budgeting, as it approaches two years of median household income.
Covington residents should prioritize building emergency savings and exploring affordable first-time homebuyer programs to build wealth. Even modest, consistent contributions to a savings plan or low-cost retirement account compound meaningfully over decades.
Covington County's 70.6-year life expectancy falls nearly 2 years short of the U.S. average of 72.6 years, indicating meaningful health disadvantages. The county's 21.8% poor/fair health rate matches the national average exactly, showing typical American health status patterns. Covington faces above-average mortality challenges despite having national-level self-reported health.
Covington Below State Average on Lifespan
At 70.6 years, Covington's life expectancy falls below Alabama's 72.1-year state average, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. The county's 11.0% uninsured rate closely mirrors Alabama's 11.1%, indicating typical state-level insurance coverage challenges. Covington experiences below-average longevity despite having standard Alabama insurance access patterns.
Covington Underperforms Its Region
Covington's 70.6-year life expectancy significantly trails nearby Colbert County (73.0 years) and falls slightly below Coosa County (72.2 years). The county does maintain comparable primary care access at 48 providers per 100,000 and strong mental health support at 79 providers per 100,000. Despite regional health advantages elsewhere, Covington residents live notably shorter lives.
Providers Present, But Mortality Persists
Covington maintains 48 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and solid mental health support at 79 providers per 100,000, suggesting reasonable care infrastructure. Yet the county's below-average life expectancy suggests that provider presence alone isn't translating into longer, healthier lives. Underlying health challenges may require deeper interventions beyond basic provider availability.
Insurance Matters in Covington
With 11.0% of Covington residents uninsured, coverage gaps persist even though insurance access is broadly available in the state. If you lack health insurance, visit the Alabama Health Insurance Marketplace today to explore options that fit your situation. Coverage is your gateway to preventive care and better health outcomes.
Covington County scores 82.44 on composite risk, earning a Relatively Moderate rating and substantially exceeding the national average. This means residents experience multi-hazard exposure well above the American norm, demanding careful disaster preparedness.
Among Alabama's Most At-Risk Counties
Covington's 82.44 score sits far above Alabama's 61.54 state average, ranking it among the highest-hazard counties statewide. The 20-point gap reflects concentrated vulnerability across tornado, hurricane, and flood exposure.
Riskier Than All Immediately Adjacent Counties
Covington (82.44) faces substantially higher composite risk than neighbors Conecuh (31.11) and Crenshaw (34.38) to the south, creating a marked risk gradient. Even compared to Cullman (81.93) to the north, Covington's hurricane exposure at 95.58 stands out as Alabama's highest.
Hurricanes Pose Exceptional Threat Here
Hurricane risk scores at an extraordinary 95.58—Alabama's highest—reflecting Covington's southern location and exposure to Gulf storm systems. Tornadoes (83.65) and floods (69.02) compound the threat, creating a region where multiple hazard seasons overlap throughout the year.
Comprehensive Coverage Is Essential
The 95.58 hurricane risk score demands robust wind and water damage coverage; don't rely on standard policies alone. Secure separate flood insurance immediately, especially if you live in a mapped flood zone, and consider an umbrella policy for additional liability protection.