countyscore
66.7
County Score
Safety 97.5Property Tax 97.4Cost of Living 88.3

County Report Card

About Hale County, Alabama

Hale County outpaces the nation

Hale County's composite score of 66.4 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top third of U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects a county where affordability and tax burden are significant competitive advantages for residents.

Alabama's second-strongest livability profile

Among Alabama's 67 counties, Hale ranks second overall with a score 13.5 points above the state average of 52.9. The county stands out as one of the state's most livable places when measured across tax, cost, and safety dimensions.

Tax efficiency and safety shine here

Hale County excels with a tax score of 97.5 (effective rate of just 0.322%) and ties for the state's best safety rating at 97.5, making it exceptionally secure and fiscally light for property owners. Housing affordability is another major asset, with a cost score of 86.3 and median home values at $126,300—nearly $100,000 below the national median.

Income and health gaps need attention

The county's income score of 3.7 reflects a median household income of $41,325—significantly below state and national benchmarks—which limits economic opportunity for working families. Health outcomes also lag considerably, with a score of 17.2 that suggests residents face barriers to quality healthcare and wellness resources.

Ideal for retirees and budget-conscious families

Hale County suits retirees or remote workers seeking low taxes, affordable housing, and strong safety in a quieter setting. Those prioritizing good schools and access to higher-wage employment should look elsewhere.

2040608010097.488.397.517.239.41.960.98645.3Tax97.4Cost88.3Safety97.5Health17.2Schools39.4Income1.9Risk60.9Water86Weather45.366.7/100
This county
National avg
5 above average4 below average

Hale County DNA

D+overall

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

Hale County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (97.4/100) but notably weak in Income (1.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
97.4+45.400000000000006
Cost
88.3+40.3
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
17.2-32.8
Schools
39.4-14.600000000000001
Income
1.9-49.1
Risk
60.9+13.899999999999999
Water
86+28
Weather
45.3-10.700000000000003
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Compare mortgage rates in Hale County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$127,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$715/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$127,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$28,600/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $39,250/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

6.8

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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Counties with similar scores

Monroe County
Kentucky
Median income: $51,280
66.7
Cameron Parish
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Median income: $75,278
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Traverse County
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Median income: $62,989
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Yellow Medicine County
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Cedar County
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Median income: $73,578
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Stanton County
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Median income: $80,687
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Knott County
Kentucky
Median income: $41,761
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Adair County
Kentucky
Median income: $53,553
66.6

Nearby counties

Greene County
Alabama
55.5
Perry County
Alabama
68.2
Sumter County
Alabama
60.3
Marengo County
Alabama
48.3
Bibb County
Alabama
51.2
Pickens County
Alabama
66.1
Dallas County
Alabama
50
Tuscaloosa County
Alabama
39.8

Deep Dives

Hale County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hale County

via TaxByCounty

Hale County taxes far below US norm

With an effective tax rate of 0.322%, Hale County homeowners pay a fraction of what the national median demands. The typical home here carries a $406 annual property tax bill, while the national median is $2,690—placing Hale County in the lowest tier nationally for property tax burden.

Below average for Alabama

Hale County's 0.322% effective rate sits slightly below Alabama's state average of 0.339%, saving residents money compared to most state neighbors. The median tax bill of $406 is considerably lower than Alabama's state median of $511 per homeowner.

Among Alabama's most affordable

Hale County ranks among the lowest-tax counties in its region, nearly matching Lamar County (0.217%) while outperforming Houston County (0.300%) and Jackson County (0.308%). Only Lamar County offers meaningfully lower rates in this part of the state.

What $126K home costs annually

The median Hale County home valued at $126,300 generates an estimated annual property tax of $406. With mortgage-related assessments included, that rises to $496 per year—still among Alabama's gentlest tax burdens.

You might be overassessed

Many Hale County homeowners pay taxes on inflated property valuations and never challenge their assessments. A free appraisal review could uncover overpayment and unlock a tax appeal that reduces your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hale County

via IncomeByCounty

Hale County lags far behind national income

Hale County's median household income of $41,325 falls 45% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This significant gap reflects economic challenges that many rural Alabama counties face compared to national averages.

Among the lowest earners statewide

Hale County ranks in the bottom tier of Alabama's 67 counties, with a median income $12,871 below the state average of $54,196. Only a handful of Alabama counties earn less than Hale's households.

Struggling compared to nearby counties

Neighboring counties like Lamar ($47,447) and Jackson ($49,454) earn $6,000–$8,000 more per household. Even Hale's closest peers outpace its income levels, underscoring local economic headwinds.

Rent remains manageable despite low wages

Hale County's rent-to-income ratio of 21% sits at the affordability ceiling, meaning renters dedicate one-fifth of earnings to housing. While homeownership at a median value of $126,300 is attainable, wage stagnation limits wealth-building capacity.

Build financial stability from the ground up

Even modest income streams benefit from disciplined saving and low-cost investing—a $50-per-month automatic transfer into a diversified fund compounds significantly over decades. Consider leveraging down-payment assistance programs to transition from renting to homeownership, turning housing costs into equity.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Hale County

via CrimeByCounty

Hale County Reports Exceptional Safety Metrics

Hale County maintains a perfect safety score of 100.0, which is significantly higher than the national average. With three reporting agencies tracking data, the county records 0.0 crimes per 100,000 residents compared to the national rate of 2,385.5. This represents an extremely quiet public safety profile.

A Leader in Alabama Safety Rankings

The county's safety score far exceeds the Alabama state average of 97.3. By reporting zero crime incidents for the tracking period, Hale County positions itself as one of the most secure regions in the state. Local law enforcement maintains a high level of reporting consistency across three different agencies.

Regional Lows Compared to Neighbors

Compared to nearby Lawrence County's rate of 1,099.1, Hale County's reported crime is virtually non-existent. While larger neighbors like Jefferson County face much higher activity, Hale remains a rural sanctuary of safety. Its residents enjoy a peace of mind that is rare in the broader region.

Understanding the Complete Safety Picture

Both violent and property crime rates sit at 0.0 per 100,000 residents, suggesting an incredibly low-risk environment for all residents. In practical terms, this data reflects a community where criminal activity is rarely documented by local authorities. These numbers provide a strong foundation for community growth and investment.

Maintain Your Secure Community Environment

Even in high-safety areas, remaining aware of your surroundings helps preserve the status quo. Continue practicing standard security measures like outdoor lighting and locking entries to keep Hale County safe. Community vigilance is the best partner for local law enforcement.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Hale County

via WeatherByCounty

Consistently Warm and Moist

Hale County's 64.1°F annual average is nearly 10 degrees warmer than the national median. It receives 56.0 inches of precipitation, making it a very wet environment by national standards.

Warmer Than Most of Alabama

At 64.1°F, Hale County is warmer than the state average of 63.2°F. Interestingly, it is slightly drier than the Alabama average of 57.4 inches, though only by a small margin.

Typical West-Central Conditions

Hale's temperature is nearly the same as Greene County (63.8°F). It is significantly warmer than Fayette County to its north, which averages just 62.1°F.

Two Full Months of Heat

The county averages 75 days per year with temperatures at or above 90°F. Winter is mild with a December-February average of 48.2°F and only 0.1 inches of annual snowfall.

Manage the Summer Swelter

With 75 extreme heat days, a reliable HVAC system and shaded outdoor spaces are vital. While rain is slightly lower than the state average, 56 inches is still enough to require regular gutter maintenance.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Hale County

via SoilByCounty

Hale's Acidic Silt Loam Identity

Hale County's earth consists primarily of silt loam from the Ultisols taxonomic order. With a pH of 5.47, these soils are significantly more acidic than the national median of 6.5, though they remain less acidic than the Alabama state average of 5.21.

A Silty, Balanced Mineral Mix

The soil profile contains 41.3% sand, 34.0% silt, and 21.0% clay. This specific blend offers moderate workability but requires careful management to prevent compaction due to the significant silt and clay fractions.

High Fertility Potential for Alabama

Organic matter stands at 1.89%, which exceeds the state average of 1.74% and nears the national 2.0% benchmark. Combined with an available water capacity of 0.139 in/in, this soil provides a strong foundation for nutrient-rich plant growth.

Managed Drainage for Heavy Clay

The county is dominated by poorly drained soils categorized under hydrologic group C/D. This indicates high runoff potential and slow water infiltration, necessitating raised beds or drainage systems for most farming and building projects.

Abundant Growth in Zone 8b

Warm winters in USDA hardiness zone 8b allow for a long growing season of heat-loving crops. With its high soil score of 30.7, Hale County is an ideal place to start a productive vegetable garden or orchard.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Hale County

via LawnByCounty

Overcoming Hale County's Steep Lawn Challenges

Hale County earns a lawn difficulty score of 24.4, making it significantly tougher to maintain than the national median of 50.0. Located in Hardiness Zone 8b, homeowners struggle against conditions more demanding than the Alabama state average of 29.5.

High Heat and Heavy Rainfall Define the Season

The county faces 75 extreme heat days annually, which is 11 days more than the state average. While 56 inches of annual precipitation provides ample water, the 5,715 growing degree days demand a rigorous mowing schedule.

Managing Acidic Silt Loam and Poor Drainage

The local soil is poorly drained with a pH of 5.47, falling well below the ideal range of 6.0 to 7.0. This silt loam composition, featuring 21% clay, requires lime applications to neutralize acidity and improve nutrient uptake.

Navigating Long Periods of Moisture Stress

Lawns survived 31 weeks of drought over the past year, and currently, 100% of the county is abnormally dry. Deep, infrequent watering is essential to help grass roots reach beyond the dry surface layer.

Wait for the March Frost to Pass

Warm-season grasses like Centipede or St. Augustine thrive here once the last spring frost passes around March 18. Start your seeding or sodding in late spring to ensure establishment before the July heat peaks at 80.8°F.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hale County's county score?
Hale County, Alabama has a composite county score of 66.7 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 Hale County rank among counties in Alabama?
Hale County ranks #2 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 Hale County, Alabama?
The median annual property tax in Hale County is $406, with an effective tax rate of 0.32%. This earns Hale County a tax score of 97.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Hale County?
The median household income in Hale County, Alabama is $39,250 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Hale County earns an income score of 1.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Hale County, Alabama a good place to live?
Hale County scores 66.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #2 in Alabama. The best way to evaluate Hale 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 Hale 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.