CountyScore

Jefferson County

Alabama · AL

#67 in Alabama
63.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Jefferson County, Alabama

Jefferson County meets national standards

Jefferson County's composite score of 63.7 ranks 13.7 points above the national median of 50.0, qualifying it as a reasonably livable American county. The score reflects a larger urban footprint with trade-offs between opportunity and affordability.

Below state average, but substantial presence

At 63.7, Jefferson County falls notably below Alabama's state average of 70.8 by 7.1 points. As Alabama's most populous county (home to Birmingham), this lower score reflects typical urban-area patterns of higher costs and more complex livability dynamics.

Income and health outcomes lead the way

Jefferson County earns its best score of 65.3 on health and 25.6 on income, backed by median household income of $64,589—the highest among these eight counties. These strengths reflect the economic and healthcare infrastructure of the state's largest metro area.

Taxes and housing costs bite hard

Jefferson County's tax score of 85.5 (effective rate 0.596%) and cost score of 70.9 reflect its urban reality: median rents of $1,132/month and home values of $224,900 are substantially higher than rural peers. These are significant affordability hurdles for many households.

Suited for higher-earning professionals

Jefferson County works best for college-educated professionals and dual-income households with above-average earning potential who can absorb higher housing and tax costs. Families relocating for career advancement or seeking urban amenities will find opportunity here, though affordability remains a trade-off.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.5Cost70.9SafetyComing SoonHealth65.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.6Risk2.4WaterComing Soon
🏛85.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠70.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡2.4
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 Jefferson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Clay County
Florida
63.7
Median income: $86,094
Putnam County
Florida
63.7
Median income: $47,256
Decatur County
Georgia
63.7
Median income: $50,485
Lowndes County
Georgia
63.7
Median income: $55,887
Montgomery County
Illinois
63.7
Median income: $61,863

Deep Dives

Jefferson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jefferson County

via TaxByCounty

Jefferson County carries Alabama's highest tax rate

Jefferson County's effective tax rate of 0.596% nearly doubles Alabama's state average of 0.339%, reflecting elevated municipal services in the Birmingham metro area. The median property tax of $1,340 is significant, though still half the national median of $2,690.

Highest taxed county in Alabama

Jefferson County's 0.596% rate exceeds every other Alabama county, more than 75% higher than the state average. The median tax bill of $1,340 is nearly triple Alabama's state median of $511, the steepest burden in the state.

Significantly higher than surrounding counties

Jefferson County's 0.596% rate towers over all regional competitors: Lauderdale County (0.375%), Henry County (0.342%), Jackson County (0.308%), and Houston County (0.300%). This reflects Birmingham's urban tax base and municipal infrastructure needs.

What $225K home costs yearly

A median Jefferson County home valued at $224,900 generates an estimated annual property tax of $1,340—the largest annual burden of any Alabama county. With mortgage-related assessments included, the total reaches $1,448 per year.

High-value homes warrant assessment review

Jefferson County's elevated rates make overassessment particularly costly; a 10% valuation error costs homeowners $134 annually. Professional appraisals and formal appeals are especially valuable in this high-tax county.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jefferson County

via CostByCounty

Jefferson County rents strain household budgets

At 21.0%, Jefferson County's rent-to-income ratio equals Hale County's—among the highest affordability stress in this group and well above healthful thresholds. Renters earning $64,589 spend $1,132 monthly on housing, a premium tied to Alabama's largest urban center.

Most expensive housing in Alabama sample

Jefferson County's 21.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks it among Alabama's least affordable counties despite having the highest median household income here. This reflects the cost premium of living in metropolitan Birmingham—home to the state's most robust job market.

Urban premium versus rural counties

Jefferson County renters face $1,132 monthly costs—57% higher than Lamar County ($548) and 36% above Henry County ($770). This urban-rural divide reflects Birmingham's concentration of jobs, services, and housing demand.

Where Birmingham-area paychecks go

Renters earning Jefferson's $64,589 median ($5,382 monthly) dedicate $1,132 to gross rent—a substantial 21% of income. Homeowners shoulder even greater burden, averaging $1,110 monthly on properties worth $224,900, the highest median home value in this county sample.

Jefferson County: urban opportunity with costs

Jefferson County suits professionals earning $65,000+ seeking urban amenities, diverse employment, and cultural attractions unavailable in rural Alabama. However, renters should budget realistically—at 21% of income, housing remains tight even for above-average earners.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jefferson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jefferson County narrowing the income gap

Jefferson County's median household income of $64,589 sits 14% below the U.S. median of $74,755, making it one of Alabama's stronger earners. The $10,166 gap is smaller than most rural counties in the state.

Second-highest earner in Alabama

Jefferson County ranks near the top of Alabama's 67 counties, earning $10,393 above the state average of $54,196. Only a handful of Alabama counties—primarily those with major metro areas—surpass Jefferson's income levels.

Clear economic leader of the region

Jefferson County's $64,589 median substantially exceeds Henry ($60,135), Houston ($57,531), and Lawrence ($60,040), reflecting its role as Alabama's economic hub. Per-capita income of $39,826 is the highest among its peers.

Housing costs strain top earners

Despite strong earnings, Jefferson County's rent-to-income ratio of 21% matches the national affordability ceiling, signaling that urban housing costs consume a larger share of income. A median home value of $224,900 requires substantial down payments or dual incomes.

Leverage metropolitan income advantages

Jefferson County residents earning $64,000+ are well-positioned to max out retirement contributions and diversify into real estate or taxable investment accounts. Urban proximity means access to higher-yield financial services—work with a fee-only advisor to optimize your portfolio.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jefferson County

via HealthByCounty

Jefferson County approaches national health parity

Jefferson County residents have a life expectancy of 72.4 years, just 3.7 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Only 19.7% report poor or fair health—the lowest rate among these eight counties.

Outperforms Alabama's health average

At 72.4 years, Jefferson County exceeds Alabama's state average life expectancy of 72.1 years. The county ranks among Alabama's healthiest, buoyed by strong healthcare infrastructure and urban resources.

Exceptional healthcare infrastructure

Jefferson County boasts 111 primary care providers and 271 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—the highest in this group. This capacity far exceeds rural neighbors like Hale County's 20 primary care and 47 mental health providers per 100K.

Lowest uninsured rate in the group

About 9.6% of Jefferson County residents lack health insurance, the lowest rate among these eight counties and 1.5 percentage points below the state average. Strong provider networks ensure residents can access preventive and specialty care.

Build on coverage success

Jefferson County's health achievements rest on sustained insurance access. Visit healthcare.gov to ensure your coverage is current and comprehensive for the year ahead.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jefferson County

via RiskByCounty

Jefferson County faces the highest risk statewide

Jefferson County scores 97.61 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively High rating and ranking among the most hazard-exposed counties nationally. This major urban county experiences natural disaster threats far exceeding the typical American community.

Alabama's riskiest county by far

Jefferson County's 97.61 composite score towers 36.07 points above Alabama's state average of 61.54, making it decisively the state's highest-risk county. No other Alabama county faces comparable natural disaster exposure across all hazard types.

Dramatically riskier than surrounding counties

Jefferson County (97.61) vastly exceeds the risk profiles of surrounding Lauderdale County (85.50), Jackson County (79.04), and Lawrence County (69.31). Its position as Alabama's industrial heartland correlates with concentrated infrastructure vulnerability.

All hazards rank exceptionally high

Tornado risk reaches 99.55, flood risk hits 98.09, and earthquake risk scores 96.06—Jefferson County faces extraordinary exposure across nearly every natural disaster category. This convergence of hazards creates compounding vulnerability requiring serious preparedness.

Comprehensive insurance is absolutely critical

Homeowners and business owners must obtain full-coverage policies including wind, hail, flood, and earthquake protection—this is non-negotiable at 97.61 composite risk. Invest in structural reinforcement, maintain emergency supplies for 72+ hours, and know multiple evacuation routes for both tornadoes and floods.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.