countyscore
56.6
County Score
Cost of Living 98.7Property Tax 87.1Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Greene County, Alabama

Greene ranks modestly above national median

Greene County's composite score of 56.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 57th percentile nationally. It represents a moderately livable county relative to typical American peers.

Upper-middle tier in Alabama rankings

Greene's score of 56.6 surpasses Alabama's state average of 52.9, positioning it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 67 counties. It's a competitively livable region within the state.

Extraordinary affordability defines Greene

Greene stands apart with an exceptional cost score of 98.7 and the absolute lowest median household income at $31,495, supporting extreme affordability. Median rent of just $429/month and median home value of $86,400 are Alabama's lowest.

Severe income and health constraints

Income score of 0.4 (the lowest statewide) reflects economic hardship, and health score of 20.3 indicates limited health infrastructure. The county also carries a higher effective tax rate of 0.488%—the highest among these eight counties.

For the most cost-conscious seekers only

Greene County appeals exclusively to those with minimal budgets and maximum flexibility, such as retirees on fixed incomes. The severe income and health limitations make it unsuitable for families seeking economic mobility or robust services.

2040608010087.198.746.120.331.40.470.78647.5Tax87.1Cost98.7Safety46.1Health20.3Schools31.4Income0.4Risk70.7Water86Weather47.556.6/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Greene County DNA

Foverall

How Greene County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Greene County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (98.7/100) but notably weak in Income (0.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
87.1+35.099999999999994
Cost
98.7+50.7
Safety
46.1-8.899999999999999
Health
20.3-29.7
Schools
31.4-22.6
Income
0.4-50.6
Risk
70.7+23.700000000000003
Water
86+28
Weather
47.5-8.5
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$86,400

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$429/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$86,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$17,160/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $31,495/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

Hale County
Alabama
66.4
Sumter County
Alabama
59.1
Pickens County
Alabama
66.6
Perry County
Alabama
67.4
Marengo County
Alabama
48.3
Kemper County
Mississippi
62.8
Noxubee County
Mississippi
48.6
Bibb County
Alabama
49.2

Deep Dives

Greene County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Greene County

via TaxByCounty

Greene ranks among America's highest tax rates

Greene County's effective tax rate of 0.488% is substantially above the national median, placing it among the most heavily taxed counties in the United States. Though the national median property tax is $2,690 annually, Greene residents pay $422—lower in absolute dollars due to the county's notably low median home value of $86,400, the lowest in this analysis.

Greene has Alabama's highest effective tax rate

At 0.488%, Greene County's effective tax rate is the highest among Alabama's 67 counties analyzed here, running far above the state average of 0.339%. The median property tax of $422 is below the state median of $511 only because Greene's home values are so depressed; the rate itself is punitive.

Greene's rate far exceeds all nearby counties

Greene's 0.488% rate is dramatically higher than every surveyed peer: DeKalb (0.338%), Elmore (0.264%), Escambia (0.395%), Etowah (0.364%), Fayette (0.286%), Franklin (0.338%), and Geneva (0.318%). Greene's tax burden stands alone in this region as the steepest.

Median Greene home costs $422 yearly

On a median home value of $86,400, Greene property owners pay approximately $422 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $751 when including county fees, while those owning outright pay around $358.

Greene homeowners face a critical assessment issue

Greene's extreme tax rate suggests widespread overassessment—many properties are likely valued well above fair market worth. File an appeal with your county assessor immediately; successful challenges in Greene frequently result in substantial tax reductions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Greene County

via CostByCounty

Greene's rock-bottom rents mask poverty reality

Greene County's median rent of $429/month is the lowest across all counties examined, yet its 16.4% rent-to-income ratio remains problematic due to a median household income of just $31,495. This county sits 58% below the national income average of $74,755, making even cheap rents a significant household expense.

Lowest incomes with minimal housing relief

Greene's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds Alabama's state average of 18.0%, but this modest difference masks severe economic constraints—median household income of $31,495 is among Alabama's lowest. Rock-bottom rents alone cannot offset the county's fundamental income challenges.

Cheapest rent doesn't translate to affordability

Greene's $429 monthly rent vastly undercuts all neighbors (DeKalb $683, Fayette $622, Franklin $667), yet the 16.4% ratio exceeds most because of Greene's drastically lower income. The county illustrates that absolute rent levels matter less than rent-to-income burden when wages are severely depressed.

Housing is cheap but income is scarcer still

Renters spend just $429/month (16.4% of income) while homeowners pay $461/month on homes valued at $86,400. Despite negligible housing costs, household income of $31,495 leaves extremely limited room for healthcare, food, transportation, and other essentials.

Greene offers bargain housing, not economic opportunity

Relocating to Greene makes sense only if employment prospects genuinely raise household income above the current $31,495 median; low rents cannot compensate for depressed wages. Compare Greene's 16.4% ratio carefully with neighboring Fayette (14.7%, $622 rent, $50,733 income) to understand the real affordability difference that comes from stronger job markets.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Greene County

via IncomeByCounty

Greene faces severe income disadvantage

Greene County's median household income of $31,495 ranks among the lowest in the nation, sitting 58% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This $43,260 annual income gap represents a profound economic divide from wealthier American regions.

Alabama's lowest-earning county here

Greene's $31,495 median income falls 42% below Alabama's state average of $54,196, the steepest shortfall among all surveyed counties. The $22,701 gap underscores Greene's acute economic challenges relative to the rest of the state.

Substantially trailing all peers

Greene's $31,495 lags Escambia County ($44,447) by $12,952, the next-lowest county in this group. Greene faces the most severe income constraints among all adjacent and nearby counties, signaling distinct structural economic barriers.

Severe housing affordability strain

Greene's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio masks deeper housing insecurity given the low baseline income of $31,495. Median home values of $86,400 represent nearly 2.7 years of gross household income, making homeownership extremely challenging without intergenerational wealth transfer or assistance.

Access resources and community support

Greene County residents earning $31,495 should explore local workforce development programs, employer tuition assistance, and community college pathways to increase earning potential. Building income is the first priority; resources through nonprofits, government agencies, and local employers can unlock economic mobility.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Greene County

via CrimeByCounty

Greene County Maintains Strong Safety Score

Greene County earns a safety score of 98.1, reflecting a relatively low crime environment. Its total crime rate of 1,206.9 per 100K is roughly half the national average of 2,385.5.

Exceeding State Safety Benchmarks

Greene County is safer than the average Alabama county, with a score of 98.1 versus the state's 97.3. Its total crime rate of 1,206.9 is significantly lower than the state average of 1,731.

Moderate Crime Compared to Neighbors

Greene County sits in a middle ground compared to other rural counties like Elmore, which is slightly safer. Only 2 reporting agencies manage local crime data, suggesting limited but focused law enforcement.

Property Crime Levels Are Low

Property crime is relatively low at 908.4 per 100K, while violent crime sits at 298.5 per 100K. The violent crime rate is close to the Alabama state average of 312.6.

Vigilance for Rural Property Security

Rural property owners should prioritize gate security and perimeter lighting. Keeping an eye on neighboring properties helps maintain Greene County's positive safety trajectory.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Greene County

via SchoolsByCounty

Intimate Rural Schooling

Greene County maintains a focused network of five public schools serving a total of 913 students. The county's education infrastructure includes one elementary school, one middle school, and three high schools.

Focused Investment and National Standards

The county's graduation rate of 87% matches the national average exactly. Greene County invests $6,659 per pupil, which is higher than the state average and supports a composite school score of 51.2.

The Greene County District

All 913 students in the county are served by a single district, Greene County. There are no charter schools currently operating, ensuring a centralized educational experience for every student in the area.

Purely Rural Learning

Every school in the county is classified as rural, offering students a quiet and focused learning environment. Robert Brown Middle School is the largest campus with 337 students, while the average enrollment across the county is 304.

Living and Learning in Greene

For families who prioritize small, rural school environments with high per-pupil spending, Greene County offers a unique value. Research properties near Eutaw to stay close to the county's central primary and middle school campuses.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Greene County

via RiskByCounty

Greene County's Risk Among America's Lowest

Greene County scores just 29.29 with a Very Low risk rating, making it one of the safest counties nationally across nearly all natural disaster categories. The county's low exposure to floods, wildfires, and tornadoes reflects its remote, inland location far from major hazard zones.

Alabama's Second-Safest County

At 29.29, Greene's composite score ranks it as Alabama's second-safest county after Fayette (38.17), well below the state average of 61.54. The county faces minimal hazard exposure compared to virtually all other Alabama regions.

Substantially Safer Than Regional Peers

Greene's 29.29 score makes it dramatically safer than all nearby counties, including Fayette (38.17), Elmore (72.17), and Etowah (87.34). The county's very low risk across all hazard categories represents exceptional natural resilience among Alabama's 67 counties.

Earthquake Exposure Leads Minor Threats

Earthquake risk at 62.60 is Greene's highest hazard, though still well below state averages and representing modest regional seismic activity. Tornado exposure at 53.47 ranks second, but all other hazards—floods, wildfires, and hurricanes—score below 64, making Greene one of Alabama's most naturally resilient counties.

Minimal Specialized Coverage Typically Needed

Greene County's very low disaster risk means a standard homeowners policy provides excellent protection without costly specialized add-ons for most households. Basic weather awareness and earthquake-safe furniture placement remain prudent precautions, but Greene's overall risk profile allows families to focus resources on other community needs.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Greene County

via WaterByCounty

Greene County Maintains Exceptional Water Quality

Greene County reports zero drinking water health violations over a five-year lookback period. This gives the county an 'A' grade and a violation rate of 0.0, far better than the state average of 14.1.

High Watershed Health Across Assessed Waters

Only 8.3% of assessed water bodies in Greene County are impaired, a figure significantly lower than the 27.7% state average. The 2022 cycle indicates that mercury and dissolved solids are the only major concerns.

Targeted Monitoring Focuses on Organic Compounds

Greene County's 12 monitoring sites have produced 9,222 measurements over the past five years. Data collection heavily emphasizes physical traits and organic compounds to monitor the Tombigbee River watershed.

Tombigbee River Flow Drops to One-Third of Normal

The Tombigbee River at Heflin L&D currently flows at 3,810 cfs, which is 33% of its long-term typical mean. This gauge monitors a massive 7,230-square-mile drainage area that is vital to the region.

Conservation is Key During Low Flow Periods

While tap water is very safe and the watershed is healthy, the low flow on the Tombigbee River suggests residents should be mindful of water use. Keeping an eye on mercury levels in local fish is also recommended given current impairment data.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Greene County

via WeatherByCounty

A Classic Southern Climate

Greene County averages 63.8°F annually, placing it firmly in the warm humid subtropical zone. Its 57.5 inches of annual rain is roughly double the national average for precipitation.

Tracking the State Average

Greene County sits just above the Alabama state average of 63.2°F. Its annual precipitation of 57.5 inches is almost identical to the state's average of 57.4 inches.

Standard Black Belt Weather

The county's climate is similar to nearby Hale County, though it receives slightly more rain. It is warmer than northern counties like Franklin by over 3 degrees.

Hot Summers and Zero Snow

Extreme heat is common, with 72 days per year reaching 90°F or higher. Snow is non-existent with a 0.0-inch average, while winter temperatures remain mild at 46.9°F.

Forget the Snow Shovel

Residents don't need winter gear for snow, but they should prepare for 72 days of extreme heat. Ensuring home insulation is up to par will help keep cooling costs down during the 81.3°F July peaks.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Greene County

via SoilByCounty

Superior Soils in the Black Belt

Greene County boasts a soil score of 33.9, which is significantly higher than the Alabama state average of 22.5. Its pH of 5.43 is also the highest among this group of counties, though still more acidic than the national median of 6.5. These soils represent some of the most naturally productive land in the state.

A Substantial Clay and Sand Mix

The soil contains a robust 20.4% clay, providing excellent structure and nutrient-holding capacity. This is balanced by 50.5% sand and 29.1% silt, creating a versatile medium for agriculture. The higher clay content distinguishes Greene from its sandier neighbors to the south.

Top-Tier Organic Matter and Retention

With 2.06% organic matter, Greene County exceeds both the state and national averages for soil carbon. The available water capacity is also high at 0.148 in/in. These factors create a fertile powerhouse capable of supporting demanding crops with fewer inputs.

Productive but Heavy Hydrology

The combination of high clay and high water capacity suggests a soil that stays moist longer than typical Alabama sands. While specific drainage classes aren't provided, these soils likely require careful management during wet springs to avoid compaction. The ability to hold moisture is a major asset during the typical Alabama summer drought.

The Gardener's Dream in Zone 8b

The long growing season of Zone 8b paired with high-quality soil makes Greene County a gardener's paradise. This soil can support everything from heavy-feeding corn to delicate flowers with ease. Take advantage of this natural fertility and start your most successful garden yet.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Greene County

via LawnByCounty

Greene County's Demanding Growing Climate

Greene County’s lawn difficulty score of 24.6 is tougher than the Alabama average of 29.5. Maintaining a lawn in zone 8b requires managing high heat and acidic soil conditions throughout the year.

Extended Summer Heat and High Rainfall

The county endures 72 days of extreme heat per year, making summer survival the primary goal for any lawn. With 57.5 inches of rain, moisture is usually sufficient, but the timing of summer storms can be inconsistent.

Clay and Sand Mix Impacts Growth

The soil contains 20.4% clay and 50.5% sand, a mix that can become compacted under heavy foot traffic. The pH of 5.43 is closer to the ideal 6.0 than many neighbors, but still requires lime to optimize nutrient availability.

Navigating Long Periods Without Rain

Greene County experienced 29 weeks of drought over the past year, highlighting the need for water-wise landscaping. Despite current dry conditions, the 5686 growing degree days ensure that grass will grow rapidly when moisture returns.

Starting Your Greene County Lawn

Bermuda and St. Augustine grasses are well-suited for the 72 days of extreme heat in this zone. Your planting window begins after March 19, giving you a long season to establish roots before the November 13 frost.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Greene County's county score?
Greene County, Alabama has a composite county score of 56.6 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 Greene County rank among counties in Alabama?
Greene County ranks #21 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 Greene County, Alabama?
The median annual property tax in Greene County is $422, with an effective tax rate of 0.49%. This earns Greene County a tax score of 87.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Greene County?
The median household income in Greene County, Alabama is $31,495 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Greene County earns an income score of 0.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Greene County, Alabama a good place to live?
Greene County scores 56.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #21 in Alabama. The best way to evaluate Greene 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 Greene County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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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.