countyscore
42.9
County Score
Property Tax 98.1Income & Jobs 87.4Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Limestone County, Alabama

Limestone County trails the national standard

Limestone County's composite score of 42.9 sits below the national median of 50.0, landing it in the bottom 38th percentile. Despite earning income and tax advantages, broader livability factors prevent it from reaching national competitiveness.

Slightly below Alabama's midpoint

Limestone County's score of 42.9 trails the state average of 52.9 by 10 points, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of Alabama counties. The deficit is driven by weak school performance and serious safety concerns.

High incomes and minimal taxes lead the way

Limestone County boasts one of Alabama's strongest income profiles, with a median household income of $83,534 and an income score of 87.4. Its tax score of 98.1 and effective tax rate of 0.306% rank among the state's lowest, delivering substantial financial advantage.

Safety and schools require major investment

Safety is critically weak, with a score of just 0.6—the poorest rating across all counties in this analysis. School performance lags significantly with a score of 22.6, raising questions about educational quality for families with children.

Suited to affluent, childless professionals

Limestone County appeals to high-earning professionals and retirees seeking tax relief and strong water infrastructure, but the dangerous safety conditions and weak schools make it unsuitable for families prioritizing security and education. Potential residents should weigh income tax savings against significant public safety concerns.

2040608010098.1340.655.422.687.4208660.3Tax98.1Cost34Safety0.6Health55.4Schools22.6Income87.4Risk20Water86Weather60.342.9/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Limestone County DNA

Foverall

How Limestone County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Limestone County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (98.1/100) but notably weak in Safety (0.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
98.1+46.099999999999994
Cost
34-14
Safety
0.6-54.4
Health
55.4
Schools
22.6-31.4
Income
87.4+36.400000000000006
Risk
20-27
Water
86+28
Weather
60.3
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$255,100

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$908/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$255,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$36,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $83,534/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

14.9

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

Lawrence County
Alabama
59
Morgan County
Alabama
62.9
Giles County
Tennessee
50.7
Madison County
Alabama
61.9
Lauderdale County
Alabama
53.8
Lincoln County
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55.5
Lawrence County
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Colbert County
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51.9

Deep Dives

Limestone County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Limestone County

via TaxByCounty

Limestone County taxes run below national average

Limestone County's effective tax rate of 0.306% falls below both the national median (0.339%) and Alabama's state average (0.339%), placing it in the bottom half nationally. Despite a healthy median home value of $255,100, residents pay only $782 annually in property taxes—less than a third of the national median.

Among Alabama's lowest-taxing counties

Limestone County ranks in the lower half of Alabama's 67 counties by effective tax rate, at 0.306%. This favorable rate means property owners keep more of their income compared to those in higher-taxing Alabama counties.

Limestone offers tax relief versus peers

At 0.306%, Limestone County taxes significantly less than neighboring Lee County (0.496%) and Madison County (0.404%). A homeowner with a $255,000 home saves roughly $400–$450 annually in Limestone compared to Lee, all else equal.

Your median annual tax bill

Limestone County's median home value of $255,100 combined with its 0.306% rate yields approximately $782 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to about $838, including escrow for insurance and other protections.

Appeal if you're overassessed

Even in lower-taxing Limestone County, homeowners sometimes face inflated assessments relative to true market value. Filing an appeal with the county assessor's office is free and can result in meaningful tax savings if your home's assessed value exceeds comparable sales in your area.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Limestone County

via CostByCounty

Limestone County leads regional affordability

Limestone County's 13.0% rent-to-income ratio sits well below both the state average (18.0%) and the national norm, making it one of Alabama's most affordable counties. Residents earn $83,534 annually—12% above the national median—while paying just $908 in monthly rent.

Best affordability in Alabama

Limestone County ranks among Alabama's top counties for housing affordability, with renters spending significantly less of their income on rent than the state average. At 13.0%, the rent-to-income ratio reflects strong local wages relative to housing costs.

More affordable than peer counties

Limestone County's $908 rent is lower than Madison County ($1,116) and comparable to Marshall County ($765), while household incomes here are substantially higher. This combination gives Limestone residents the best affordability ratio among its regional neighbors.

Renters and buyers find relief here

At $908 monthly rent and $1,052 for homeowners on a $83,534 median income, housing consumes roughly 13-15% of household earnings. This leaves Limestone County residents with more disposable income than their neighbors, making the county attractive for budget-conscious movers.

Limestone County rewards relocating families

If affordability matters, Limestone County delivers—strong wages combined with moderate housing costs create breathing room in household budgets. The county offers the rare combination of economic opportunity and reasonable housing expenses among Alabama's options.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Limestone County

via IncomeByCounty

Limestone County Exceeds National Income

Limestone County's median household income of $83,534 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by nearly $9,000—an 11% gain. This places Limestone among the stronger counties economically across the United States, reflecting significant wage-earning power.

Alabama's Income Elite

Limestone County's $83,534 median household income towers 54% above Alabama's state average of $54,196, making it one of the state's wealthiest counties. This exceptional performance reflects the presence of major employers and a skilled workforce concentrated in the region.

Limestone Dominates Northern Alabama

Limestone County's $83,534 income nearly matches Madison County ($83,528) and vastly exceeds the regional average of surrounding counties. Together, these two counties form a corridor of economic strength in northern Alabama that stands apart from the rest of the state.

Housing Costs Stay Well-Managed

Limestone County's rent-to-income ratio of just 13.0% sits comfortably below the recommended 15% threshold, indicating robust housing affordability. Combined with a median home value of $255,100, households here enjoy significant flexibility in balancing housing costs with other financial priorities.

Limestone's Households Can Invest Aggressively

With above-average incomes and manageable housing costs, Limestone County families have substantial opportunity to build wealth through diversified investments and retirement planning. Consider maximizing contributions to 401(k)s, IRAs, and taxable investment accounts to capitalize on these income advantages.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Limestone County

via CrimeByCounty

Limestone Reports Elevated Crime Rates

Limestone County sees 8,723.6 crimes per 100,000 residents, significantly exceeding the national average of 2,385.5. This activity results in a safety score of 86.2 out of 100.

Safety Ranking Falls Below Alabama Norms

The county's safety score of 86.2 trails the Alabama state average of 97.3 by a wide margin. Its total crime rate is over five times higher than the state average of 1,731.0.

Sharp Contrast With Neighboring Madison County

Limestone reports much higher activity than neighbor Madison County, which has a low rate of 333.8 per 100,000. Six reporting agencies work to track and address these local safety challenges.

High Property and Violent Crime Figures

The data shows property crime at 7,379.1 per 100,000 residents and violent crime at 1,344.5. Both categories are significantly higher than the national benchmarks for 2022.

Reinforce Your Home Security Strategy

Given the elevated property crime rates, professional security monitoring and deadbolt reinforcements are highly recommended. Residents should also ensure high-value items are not visible from street-level windows.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Limestone County

via SchoolsByCounty

Modern Infrastructure in a Rapidly Changing County

Limestone County operates 26 public schools across two main districts, accommodating 22,876 students. The landscape is unique, featuring 14 elementary schools and 9 high schools to serve a growing population. This system maintains a high average school size of 915 students due to large-scale regional campuses.

Outperforming National Graduation Benchmarks

The county achieves an 88.3% graduation rate, placing it ahead of the 87.0% national average. Although the per-pupil expenditure of $5,406 is significantly lower than the national average, the school score of 49.2 remains competitive within the region. These figures suggest a system that manages high student volume with very lean resources.

The Scale of Limestone and Athens Districts

Limestone County Schools is the larger district, managing 17 schools and nearly 16,000 students, while Athens City serves 4,840 students. Notably, Alabama Connections Academy operates as a massive virtual option with over 7,000 students. No charter schools are currently active, as the traditional and virtual public options dominate the area.

From Rural Landscapes to Large-Scale High Schools

School life here shifts between 12 rural schools and 10 town-based campuses, reflecting the county's transitional geography. James Clemens High School and Alabama Connections Academy represent the largest enrollment hubs with thousands of students each. This mix provides families both traditional community-focused schools and high-capacity modern facilities.

Establish Roots Near Athens or Madison City

With schools outperforming national graduation rates, Limestone County is an attractive destination for families seeking growth. Homes in the southern portion of the county often provide access to some of the state's largest and most modern high schools. Start your home search today to secure a spot in these evolving school districts.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Limestone County

via RiskByCounty

Limestone County sits above national risk average

Limestone County's composite risk score of 79.96 exceeds typical U.S. disaster exposure, earning a relatively low overall rating but reflecting real hazards. The score masks significant variation across hazard types, with some risks far above and others well below national norms.

Second-highest risk county in Alabama

Limestone County ranks near the top of Alabama's risk distribution, with a composite score of 79.96 compared to the state average of 61.54. Only Madison County carries higher composite risk statewide, putting Limestone County in an elevated tier of vulnerability.

Higher risk than most regional peers

Limestone County's 79.96 score substantially exceeds adjacent Marengo County (52.16) and Marion County (69.15), though it trails Marshall County's 87.31. The county's tornado and earthquake risks are particularly elevated compared to surrounding counties.

Tornado and earthquake dominate exposure

Tornado risk stands extremely high at 88.17, making spring and fall severe weather seasons particularly dangerous for Limestone County residents. Earthquake risk follows at 89.89, reflecting the county's position near seismic activity zones, while flood risk (76.69) rounds out major concerns.

Prioritize tornado and earthquake preparedness

Limestone County residents should ensure they have a safe room or shelter plan before tornado season, plus verify their homeowners insurance covers wind damage. Consider adding earthquake coverage to standard policies, and document your home's condition with photos for insurance claims.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Limestone County

via WaterByCounty

Perfect Compliance Record for Limestone Public Water

Limestone County achieves a perfect 'A' grade with zero health violations reported in the federal SDWIS database over the last five years. Its violation rate of 0.0 per 100,000 people stands in contrast to the state average of 14.1. Residents benefit from some of the most consistent drinking water compliance in Alabama.

More Than Half of Assessed Waters Impaired

Watershed health presents a challenge, as 55.6% of the 27 assessed water bodies are listed as impaired in the 2022 cycle. Top stressors include high biochemical oxygen demand, sedimentation, and excessive nutrients. This impairment rate is nearly double the Alabama state average of 27.7%, reflecting significant agricultural or urban runoff pressure.

Strong Focus on Organic and Chemical Testing

A network of 32 monitoring sites has produced 17,237 water quality measurements over the last five years. High-frequency testing focuses on physical properties, organics, and pesticides, providing a detailed look at chemical exposure. This data is critical for tracking how nutrients and pesticides move through the local ecosystem.

Limestone Creek Running at Half Capacity

The primary USGS gauge on Limestone Creek near Athens shows a current flow of 98 cfs, or 48% of its typical volume. While not as depleted as neighboring regions, the creek is still experiencing a moderate deficit. Consistent monitoring here helps track the impact of nutrient loads during these slower flow periods.

Protect Taps from High Watershed Runoff

Despite perfect tap water compliance, the high impairment rate of local streams suggests a need for awareness regarding nutrient and pesticide runoff. If you use well water, consider an annual test for nitrates and organics to ensure local impairments haven't reached your groundwater. For city water users, current utility performance remains the strongest signal of safety.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Limestone County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmer than the national median

Limestone County averages 61.2°F annually, placing it well above the national median temperature. This humid subtropical climate receives 54.3 inches of precipitation each year.

A cooler pocket of Alabama

The county stays cooler than most of the state, with an annual average 2.0 degrees lower than the Alabama mean of 63.2°F. It also receives about 3 inches less rain than the state average.

Matching the Tennessee Valley neighbors

Limestone shares an identical 61.2°F annual average with neighboring Madison County. Both counties represent the cooler northern tier compared to southern neighbors like Mobile.

Hot summers and dusting of snow

July averages 79.7°F with 58 days topping 90°F annually. Winters remain mild, though the county sees a modest 1.2 inches of snow on average.

Manage the humidity and heat

Homeowners should maintain HVAC systems to handle 58 extreme heat days per year. With over 54 inches of rain, proper gutter maintenance is essential for heavy precipitation events.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Limestone County

via SoilByCounty

Silty Soils with a Regional Acidic Edge

Limestone County soil measures a pH of 5.29, making it slightly less acidic than the state average but much lower than the national 6.5 benchmark. While specific taxonomic data is limited, the chemical profile matches the typical Red Piedmont characteristics.

Heavy Silt Content Dominates the Mix

With a massive 54.6% silt and 24.6% clay, this soil feels velvety and holds its shape well. The low 20.8% sand content means the ground can become compacted if worked while wet, but it offers excellent stability.

Superior Water Retention Boosts Growth Potential

The county boasts an available water capacity of 0.171 in/in, which is far higher than the state average of 0.138. This moisture-holding power earns the county a soil score of 32.0, well above the state average of 22.5.

A Natural Sponge for Crops

While specific drainage class data is unavailable, the high water capacity suggests these silty soils act as a reservoir for plants. This makes the land incredibly resilient during the dry spells common in Northern Alabama.

Prime Territory for Row Crops

In hardiness zone 8a, this moisture-rich soil is perfect for cotton and soybeans. Start your garden with confidence knowing your soil provides a deeper water bank than most neighboring counties.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Limestone County

via LawnByCounty

Limestone's Advantage Over State Lawn Averages

With a difficulty score of 37.4, maintaining a lawn here is easier than the state average of 29.5 but still trails the national median of 50.0. This Hardiness Zone 8a region offers a slightly more temperate environment for turf than its southern neighbors.

Balanced Moisture and North Alabama Heat

The county records 54.3 inches of rain per year and 58 days of extreme heat above 90°F. These conditions support 5,086 growing degree days, providing a long window for grass to establish and thrive.

Managing Dense Soil and Acidity

The soil pH of 5.29 is significantly lower than the ideal 6.0-7.0 range, requiring lime to unlock soil nutrients. With clay making up 24.6% of the soil profile, aeration is often necessary to prevent compaction.

Recent Dry Spells Demand Smart Watering

Limestone County has seen 16 weeks of drought in the past year, though it currently avoids the severe levels seen elsewhere in the state. Consistent mulching and avoiding mid-day watering will help your lawn stay resilient.

Start Growing After the Spring Frost

St. Augustine and Centipede grasses perform well in this zone, especially when seeded after the last frost on March 27th. Make sure your lawn is established before the first fall frost typically arrives on November 3rd.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Limestone County's county score?
Limestone County, Alabama has a composite county score of 42.9 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 Limestone County rank among counties in Alabama?
Limestone County ranks #62 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 Limestone County, Alabama?
The median annual property tax in Limestone County is $782, with an effective tax rate of 0.31%. This earns Limestone County a tax score of 98.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Limestone County?
The median household income in Limestone County, Alabama is $83,534 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Limestone County earns an income score of 87.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Limestone County, Alabama a good place to live?
Limestone County scores 42.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #62 in Alabama. The best way to evaluate Limestone 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 Limestone County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.