countyscore
53.8
County Score
Property Tax 98.8Cost of Living 93.5Disaster Risk 61.9

County Report Card

About Fayette County, Alabama

Fayette solidly above national livability mark

Fayette County's composite score of 54.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 54th percentile nationally. This positions it as a livable county relative to typical American peers.

Top tier in Alabama livability rankings

Fayette ranks above Alabama's state average of 52.9 with its score of 54.2, landing in the upper third of the state's 67 counties. It's among the more competitive livability profiles statewide.

Unbeatable affordability and lowest taxes

Fayette excels with a cost score of 94.1 and an outstanding tax score of 98.8 (effective rate 0.286%—the lowest statewide). Median rent of just $622/month and home values of $121,200 offer exceptional value.

Income and health need strengthening

Income score of 16.1 and health score of 18.8 remain significant constraints, with median household income at $50,733. Safety score of 28.0 also indicates room for improvement.

Perfect for frugal retirees and remote workers

Fayette County is ideal for retirees and remote workers with geographic flexibility who prioritize ultra-low costs and taxes. Families seeking higher salaries or robust health infrastructure should look elsewhere.

2040608010098.893.52818.840.31161.938.756Tax98.8Cost93.5Safety28Health18.8Schools40.3Income11Risk61.9Water38.7Weather5653.8/100
This county
National avg
3 above average5 below average

Fayette County DNA

Foverall

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

Fayette County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (98.8/100) but notably weak in Income (11/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
98.8+46.8
Cost
93.5+45.5
Safety
28-27
Health
18.8-31.2
Schools
40.3-13.700000000000003
Income
11-40
Risk
61.9+14.899999999999999
Water
38.7-19.299999999999997
Weather
56
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Compare mortgage rates in Fayette County

Whether buying or refinancing in Fayette County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$125,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$667/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$125,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$26,680/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $49,488/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

37.1

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

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47.2
Lamar County
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66.4
Marion County
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58
Tuscaloosa County
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Winston County
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Pickens County
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Jefferson County
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Lowndes County
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Deep Dives

Fayette County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Fayette County

via TaxByCounty

Fayette ranks among America's lowest tax counties

Fayette County's effective tax rate of 0.286% is well below the national median, making it one of the most tax-friendly counties in the nation. Though the national median property tax is $2,690 annually, Fayette residents pay just $347—a difference driven by both a low rate and a modest median home value of $121,200.

Fayette's rate runs below Alabama's state average

At 0.286%, Fayette County's effective tax rate sits comfortably below Alabama's state average of 0.339%, placing it among the state's more tax-friendly counties. The median property tax of $347 is the lowest in this analysis, reflecting Fayette's combination of a low rate and below-average home values.

Fayette offers one of the region's best tax deals

Fayette's 0.286% rate is lower than DeKalb (0.338%), Escambia (0.395%), Etowah (0.364%), Franklin (0.338%), and Geneva (0.318%), though slightly higher than Elmore's 0.264%. For budget-conscious homeowners in northwestern Alabama, Fayette ranks among the smartest choices.

Median Fayette home costs $347 yearly

On a median home value of $121,200, Fayette property owners pay approximately $347 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $381 when including county fees, while those owning outright pay around $324.

Fayette homeowners can still benefit from appeals

Even in low-tax counties, some homeowners are overassessed—a property review costs nothing and can unlock additional savings. Contact your county assessor to request a reassessment and verify your home's valuation is fair.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Fayette County

via IncomeByCounty

Fayette earns below national standard

Fayette County's median household income of $50,733 lags the national median of $74,755 by 32%. Fayette households earn roughly $24,000 less per year than the typical American family.

Below Alabama average by 6%

Fayette's $50,733 median income sits 6% below Alabama's state average of $54,196, placing it in the lower-middle tier among Alabama counties. The $3,463 shortfall reflects modest economic constraints relative to the broader state.

Among the lowest in its region

Fayette's $50,733 is the second-lowest in this county cluster, with only Escambia County ($44,447) earning less. DeKalb ($51,149) and Franklin ($51,493) slightly outpace Fayette, though differences remain within a $1,400 range.

Best housing affordability locally

Fayette's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among surveyed counties, indicating excellent rental affordability. Median home values of $121,200 align well with local incomes, making Fayette relatively accessible for homebuyers.

Leverage Fayette's affordable housing

Fayette residents benefit from low housing-cost burdens, freeing more income for savings and investing. Prioritize building retirement accounts through employer plans and explore first-time homebuyer programs to build equity in Fayette's affordable housing market.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Fayette County

via CrimeByCounty

Fayette County Remains Safer Than Average

Fayette County's safety score of 97.3 is supported by a total crime rate of 1,736.5 per 100K. This rate is approximately 27% lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Perfectly Aligned With Alabama Averages

Fayette County's safety score of 97.3 and total crime rate of 1,736.5 almost perfectly match the statewide averages. This suggests a typical security profile for a rural Alabama county.

Lower Crime Than Northern Neighbors

Fayette County enjoys a slightly safer environment than Franklin County, which sees higher rates of violent crime. Law enforcement across 4 agencies maintains a steady presence in the community.

Violent Crime Stays Well Below Average

The violent crime rate is just 159.5 per 100K, less than half the national average. Most local incidents involve property crime, which sits at 1,577 per 100K residents.

Proactive Prevention for Homeowners

Residents can maintain the county's safety by locking doors and securing tools or equipment stored outdoors. Community awareness remains the best defense against property theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Fayette County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm Winters and High Rainfall

Fayette County averages 62.1°F annually, staying well above the national median temperature. With 60.8 inches of annual precipitation, it is one of the more rain-prone regions in the United States.

Slightly Cooler Than State Norms

Fayette's annual average of 62.1°F is about one degree cooler than the Alabama state average of 63.2°F. However, its 60.8 inches of rain makes it wetter than the typical Alabama county.

Wetter Than Northern Neighbors

Fayette receives more rain than nearby Franklin County, which sees 57.7 inches annually. It shares a similar temperature profile with Etowah County, though it is slightly cooler on average.

A Long Summer Heat Wave

The county sees 62 days of extreme heat where temperatures top 90°F. July is the warmest month at 80.3°F, while January stays chilly but manageable at 42.9°F.

Invest in Rain Gear

With over 60 inches of rain, sturdy umbrellas and waterproof boots are essential for daily life. Residents should also plan for two full months of 90-degree weather by ensuring their homes are well-insulated.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Fayette County

via SoilByCounty

The Intense Acidity of Fayette

Fayette County has a pH of 4.82, which is significantly more acidic than the state average of 5.21 and far from the 6.5 national ideal. This creates a challenging environment for many row crops without intensive soil management. The county’s soil score of 19.2 reflects these chemical constraints.

A Gritty and Silty Blend

The soil is comprised of 49.5% sand and 33.8% silt, creating a texture that leans toward a sandy loam. With 15.6% clay, the soil offers a good compromise between drainage and stability. This physical makeup is generally easy to work, though it lacks the heavy nutrient-holding power of clay-rich soils.

Above Average Water Retention

Fayette's organic matter sits at 1.69%, nearly matching the state average of 1.74%. Interestingly, the available water capacity of 0.144 in/in is higher than the state benchmark. This means the soil is surprisingly good at keeping moisture available to roots during the hot Alabama summer.

Understanding Fayette's Water Flow

While specific drainage classification data is unavailable, the physical composition suggests moderate to fast water movement. The high water capacity indicates that while water moves, the soil fibers retain a useful amount for plant life. Careful management of surface runoff is recommended to prevent erosion of the silty topsoil.

Thriving in Hardiness Zone 8a

Gardeners in Zone 8a can enjoy a long growing season with mild winters. Potatoes and strawberries are excellent choices for this sandy, acidic soil. With a bit of lime and organic compost, your Fayette County backyard can become a lush oasis.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Fayette County

via LawnByCounty

Fayette Lawns Outpace State Averages

Fayette County earns a lawn score of 30.8, making it slightly easier to manage than the state average of 29.5. While it remains more difficult than the national median, the local climate in zone 8a offers a solid foundation for turf.

Frequent Rain and Steady Growing Days

Fayette receives 60.8 inches of rain annually, well above the state average of 57.4 inches. This high precipitation, combined with 62 heat days, creates a humid environment that can trigger rapid growth and potential fungus.

Highly Acidic Soil Needs Treatment

The soil pH in Fayette is a very low 4.82, which can severely limit grass growth without lime amendments. The soil composition is roughly balanced between 49.5% sand and 15.6% clay, providing decent structural stability for roots.

Short But Intense Drought Windows

The county saw only 10 weeks of drought over the past year, much less than southern Alabama neighbors. However, 100% of the area is currently abnormally dry, so temporary watering measures are necessary.

Seeding for Success in Zone 8a

Zoysia and Centipede grass are excellent options that handle the local heat and acidity well. Plan to start your projects after April 4 to avoid late spring frosts that can damage tender new sprouts.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fayette County's county score?
Fayette County, Alabama has a composite county score of 53.8 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 Fayette County rank among counties in Alabama?
Fayette County ranks #33 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 Fayette County, Alabama?
The median annual property tax in Fayette County is $355, with an effective tax rate of 0.28%. This earns Fayette County a tax score of 98.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Fayette County?
The median household income in Fayette County, Alabama is $49,488 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Fayette County earns an income score of 11/100 on CountyScore.
Is Fayette County, Alabama a good place to live?
Fayette County scores 53.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #33 in Alabama. The best way to evaluate Fayette 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 Fayette 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.