CountyScore

Morgan County

Alabama · AL

#54 in Alabama
68.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Morgan County, Alabama

Morgan ranks clearly above national median

Morgan County's composite score of 68.4 outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 37%, indicating above-average livability by U.S. standards. The county demonstrates consistent strength across tax, cost, and income dimensions.

Slightly below Alabama's county average

Morgan County scores 68.4 versus Alabama's state average of 70.8, placing it just below the middle tier of state counties. The county remains competitive and outperforms roughly half of its in-state peers.

Balanced income, cost, and tax advantages

Morgan County performs well across multiple dimensions: the highest median household income in this group at $64,858, a strong tax score of 92.4, and affordable housing with median rent of $835/month and home values of $193,000. Health outcomes are also solid at 61.2, the second-best in the comparison.

Low risk score reflects modest concerns

Morgan's risk score of 11.2 is among the lowest, suggesting minimal economic or environmental vulnerabilities. The county's modest challenges lie primarily in maximizing the benefits of its already-solid fundamentals.

Perfect for moderate-income professionals

Morgan County is ideal for working families and professionals seeking a combination of fair wages, affordable housing, and low taxes in a stable environment. It appeals to those wanting solid livability without premium prices or extreme trade-offs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax92.4Cost80.9SafetyComing SoonHealth61.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.7Risk11.2WaterComing Soon
🏛92.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡11.2
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 Morgan County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Mesa County
Colorado
68.4
Median income: $71,485
Levy County
Florida
68.4
Median income: $53,805
Atkinson County
Georgia
68.4
Median income: $38,438
Irwin County
Georgia
68.4
Median income: $53,915
Daviess County
Indiana
68.4
Median income: $68,561

Deep Dives

Morgan County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Morgan County

via TaxByCounty

Morgan County taxes well below national norms

Morgan County's effective tax rate of 0.349% falls in the lowest 15% nationally, far below the national median rate of roughly 0.9%. The median property tax of $674 represents just 25% of the national median bill of $2,690.

Slightly above Alabama average

Morgan County's 0.349% effective rate sits 3% above Alabama's state average of 0.339%, ranking 35th among the state's 67 counties. The median tax bill of $674 exceeds the state median of $511 by $163.

Regional tax leader with higher home values

Morgan County's $674 median bill exceeds all nearby counties except Mobile County, reflecting higher median home values of $193,000. The county's rate of 0.349% remains competitive within its region despite higher assessments.

Your annual Morgan County bill

On a median home valued at $193,000, Morgan County homeowners pay approximately $674 per year in property taxes. With mortgage escrow included, the total rises to approximately $746 annually.

Higher valuations mean appeal opportunities

Morgan County's elevated home values increase the potential savings from a successful assessment appeal. Homeowners should verify their assessed values match current market conditions by contacting the county assessor.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Morgan County

via CostByCounty

Morgan County achieves rare affordability balance

Morgan County's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest in this survey and well below both national and state averages of roughly 18%, offering genuine housing affordability. With median household income of $64,858—closer to the national median than most Alabama peers—Morgan residents enjoy breathing room in their budgets.

Morgan leads Alabama in housing affordability

Morgan's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks best statewide, roughly 3.4 percentage points better than Alabama's 18% average, and monthly rent of $835 matches the state average closely. This combination makes Morgan an outlier in affordable Alabama housing.

Balanced costs across region

Morgan's $835 median rent falls between affordable rural counties and pricier urban centers, reflecting its hybrid identity as a suburban-industrial zone anchored by Decatur. Compared to rural Perry ($610) and urban Mobile ($1,021), Morgan strikes a practical middle ground.

Housing remains manageable in Morgan County

Morgan renters allocate just 15.4% of their $64,858 annual income—approximately $9,975 yearly—to rent, leaving substantial room for other expenses. Homeowners benefit similarly, paying $822 monthly on homes valued at $193,000, supporting genuine wealth-building opportunities.

Morgan offers rare affordability-opportunity blend

Morgan County combines reasonable housing costs with proximity to Huntsville's growing tech economy and aerospace industry, making it ideal for families seeking affordability without job-market sacrifice. Relocators will find breathing room in budgets while accessing regional employment networks.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Morgan County

via IncomeByCounty

Morgan approaches the national average

Morgan County's median household income of $64,858 is 13% below the U.S. median of $74,755, a narrower gap than most Alabama counties. With per capita income at $34,510, Morgan demonstrates stronger earning capacity than regional and state peers.

Alabama's income standout

Morgan County ranks significantly above Alabama's state median of $54,196, earning $10,662 more per household annually. This 20% advantage places Morgan among Alabama's highest-income counties, well ahead of the state average in per capita earnings at $34,510.

Morgan leads the region clearly

Morgan's $64,858 median income tops every comparable county in the group—Mobile ($58,119), Montgomery ($58,153), and Randolph ($51,551) all trail significantly. Morgan's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio is also the region's lowest, indicating the strongest balance between earning and housing costs.

Balanced housing costs unlock savings

Morgan's rent-to-income ratio of 15.4% is the healthiest in this peer group, allowing households to spend less on housing and redirect funds to other goals. With median home values at $193,000, the typical Morgan family can afford homeownership while maintaining healthy financial reserves.

Morgan households can build aggressively

With strong income and controlled housing costs, Morgan residents can allocate 15-20% of household earnings to retirement, education savings, and investment accounts. This financial flexibility creates opportunities for wealth-building through home equity, diversified portfolios, and long-term asset accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Morgan County

via HealthByCounty

Morgan's health metrics exceed national norms

Morgan County residents live to 72.8 years, outpacing the U.S. average of 71.5 years by 1.3 years—a substantial advantage in a county known for industrial heritage. Only 21.9% report poor or fair health, well below the national 24% prevalence, indicating strong disease prevention and management. Morgan's 173 mental health providers per 100,000 exceed national benchmarks, though primary care at 51 per 100K remains below the national median.

Morgan ranks among Alabama's healthiest

Morgan County's 72.8-year life expectancy ranks among Alabama's best, outpacing the state average of 72.1 years, with only Randolph County matching it. The 21.9% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's lowest, reflecting effective chronic disease management. Morgan's uninsured rate of 12.3% exceeds the state average, though available providers (51 primary care, 173 mental health per 100K) offer reasonable access for the insured.

Morgan's low disease burden stands out

Morgan's 72.8-year life expectancy ties with Randolph County's as the highest among peers, substantially ahead of Pike County (71.6) and Mobile County (72.6). The 21.9% poor/fair health rate ranks among the lowest, beaten only by Pike County (21.7%), indicating Morgan residents enjoy better overall population health than regional averages. Morgan's balanced provider availability (51 primary care, 173 mental health) falls behind Montgomery and Mobile but exceeds most rural neighbors.

Low disease burden masks coverage gaps

Morgan's 21.9% poor/fair health rate and strong life expectancy suggest effective disease management, yet 12.3% of residents lack insurance—roughly 19,000 people without coverage. The 51 primary care providers per 100,000 and 173 mental health specialists represent reasonable access, particularly for insured residents in this industrial county. The higher-than-average uninsured rate means many Morgan residents cannot fully access the care available to them, limiting preventive services that maintain the county's health advantage.

Morgan residents: bridge the coverage gap

Morgan's 19,000 uninsured residents should explore coverage options at healthcare.gov or by calling 1-800-318-2596 to unlock access to the county's solid provider network. With 173 mental health providers per 100K, insurance ensures you can seek specialized mental health care—critical for population health. Morgan's strong health metrics depend on insured residents staying current on preventive care; coverage is the gateway to the care that keeps your county healthy.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Morgan County

via RiskByCounty

Morgan County ranks among nation's riskiest

Morgan County's 88.84 composite score places it solidly in the high-risk category nationally and 27 points above Alabama's state average of 61.54. This combination of hazards elevates Morgan to the ranks of America's most disaster-prone counties.

Third-highest risk in Alabama

Morgan County ranks third in Alabama's disaster risk hierarchy, behind only Mobile (98.03) and Montgomery (91.83), with a score of 88.84. This consistently elevated risk reflects the county's exposure to multiple concurrent hazard types.

Notably riskier than surrounding counties

Morgan's 88.84 score significantly exceeds Pickens County (44.69) and Randolph County (30.60), despite their geographic proximity. Morgan's higher risk stems from extreme tornado and earthquake exposure that its neighbors don't share to the same degree.

Tornado risk poses the gravest threat

Tornado risk dominates at 98.35—the highest in the state—followed by earthquake risk (92.27) and flood risk (86.74). Morgan residents face a particularly acute tornado threat; this county experiences some of Alabama's most violent spring storm activity.

Storm shelters and full coverage essential

With a 98.35 tornado risk, Morgan County residents should invest in a safe room or basement shelter and carry comprehensive homeowner insurance with elevated limits. Flood insurance and earthquake coverage are also strongly recommended given the 86.74 and 92.27 scores.

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.