CountyScore

Pike County

Alabama · AL

#20 in Alabama
72.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Pike County, Alabama

Pike ranks well above national standards

Pike County's composite score of 72.3 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 45%, placing it well within the upper tier of U.S. counties. The county delivers strong livability fundamentals across multiple dimensions.

Pike slightly above Alabama's average

Pike County scores 72.3 against Alabama's state average of 70.8, placing it just above the middle tier of state counties. The county performs competitively statewide, outperforming roughly 60% of Alabama's 67 counties.

Lowest tax burden in the entire group

Pike County leads all eight counties with the lowest effective tax rate of just 0.271%, earning a tax score of 94.7. Coupled with strong health outcomes at 62.0 and solid housing affordability at median rent of $855/month, the county delivers excellent value.

Income growth remains limited

Pike's income score of 14.7 with a median household income of $47,961 reflects modest local wage opportunities. Like most peer counties, economic development focused on higher-wage employment would strengthen the county's profile.

Best for tax-minimizing families

Pike County appeals to families and retirees prioritizing the lowest possible tax burden while maintaining decent health outcomes and housing affordability. It suits those seeking maximum fiscal efficiency with solid services.

Score breakdown

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

Tax94.7Cost81.7SafetyComing SoonHealth62SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.7Risk56WaterComing Soon
🏛94.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡56
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 Pike County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Butler County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $44,881
Choctaw County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $44,483
Hale County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $41,325
Gilchrist County
Florida
72.3
Median income: $61,070
Crawford County
Georgia
72.3
Median income: $60,905

Deep Dives

Pike County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pike County

via TaxByCounty

Pike County's taxes remain nationally minimal

Pike County's effective tax rate of 0.271% ranks in the lowest 3% nationally, less than one-third the national median rate of 0.9%. The median property tax of $403 represents just 15% of the national median bill of $2,690.

Second-lowest taxes statewide

Pike County's 0.271% effective rate ranks second-lowest among Alabama's 67 counties, 20% below the state average of 0.339%. Only Randolph County at 0.224% offers a lower rate across the entire state.

Most favorable rate in the region

Pike County's 0.271% rate is the lowest among neighboring counties, despite a median home value of $149,000. The county's $403 median tax bill outpaces only Monroe ($362) and Pickens ($356) in the region.

Your annual Pike County bill

On a median home valued at $149,000, Pike County homeowners pay approximately $403 per year in property taxes. With mortgage escrow included, the total typically reaches around $478 annually.

Low rates mean high appeal value

Even in Pike County's favorable tax environment, assessment errors occur—roughly 20-30% of homes nationwide are overvalued. A free appeal with the county assessor can identify whether your property is assessed correctly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pike County

via CostByCounty

Pike County's affordability matches national strain

Pike County's 21.4% rent-to-income ratio aligns with strained national markets, though median income of $47,961 is nearly $27,000 below the national median. Housing costs consume an outsized portion of Pike households' modest incomes, limiting discretionary spending.

Pike ranks among state's most burdened

Pike's 21.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Alabama's worst alongside Mobile, Monroe, and Montgomery, with median rent of $855 exceeding the state average by $56 monthly. This places Pike among the state's least affordable counties for renters.

Moderate costs mask income challenges

Pike's $855 median rent falls between rural affordability champions (Pickens $600) and urban centers (Mobile $1,021), but Pike's median income of $47,961 is lower than more expensive neighbors. This income-to-cost mismatch creates affordability strain despite moderate nominal rents.

Housing burden limits Pike household flexibility

Pike renters dedicate 21.4% of their $47,961 annual income—approximately $10,264 yearly—to rent alone, consuming resources needed for other priorities. Homeowners pay $744 monthly toward properties valued at $149,000, making ownership challenging without substantial down payments or family assistance.

Pike offers potential for disciplined movers

Pike County's moderate rents and proximity to Troy University and Ozark create modest economic activity, but affordability requires careful budgeting and likely dual incomes. Relocators should verify employment and commit to conservative spending before moving to Pike.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pike County

via IncomeByCounty

Pike earns 36% below national level

Pike County's median household income of $47,961 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $26,794 annually. This significant gap reflects economic challenges common across rural and post-industrial Alabama, though Pike performs better than several regional peers.

Below state median, but functional

Pike's median household income of $47,961 falls 12% short of Alabama's state median of $54,196, placing it in Alabama's lower-middle income band. Per capita income of $27,762 also trails the state average of $29,701, though the gap is modest.

Pike ranks middle in the region

Pike's $47,961 income beats Pickens ($47,014), Monroe ($40,225), and Perry ($34,368), but falls short of Randolph ($51,551), Montgomery ($58,153), and Mobile ($58,119). Pike occupies the lower-middle tier of this eight-county group.

Housing costs pinch tight budgets

Pike's rent-to-income ratio of 21.4% means households dedicate over one-fifth of income to housing alone, leaving limited room for savings. Median home values of $149,000 are manageable but require financial discipline given the $47,961 median household income.

Balance housing and financial goals

Pike households should target housing costs at or below 28% of gross income to preserve 15-20% for other financial priorities. Once housing is stabilized, even modest contributions to retirement accounts and emergency savings—starting at $50-100 monthly—establish the habit and discipline of wealth-building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pike County

via HealthByCounty

Pike boasts strong health for rural Alabama

Pike County residents live to 71.6 years, just above the U.S. average of 71.5 years—a remarkable achievement for a rural county of 33,000. Only 21.7% report poor or fair health, well below the national 24% average, indicating superior disease management and prevention. With 42 primary care providers per 100,000, Pike has below-average provider density, yet the county's strong health outcomes suggest effective care delivery or favorable demographics.

Pike ranks among Alabama's healthiest counties

Pike County's 71.6-year life expectancy edges above Alabama's 72.1 state average, placing it solidly mid-to-upper tier in state rankings despite its rural character. The 21.7% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's lowest, beaten only by Morgan County (21.9%) and Randolph County (23.5%), reflecting exceptional population health. Pike's 10.6% uninsured rate runs below the state average, combining insurance access with strong health outcomes.

Pike's health metrics outshine peer counties

Pike's 71.6-year life expectancy matches the upper tier of peers, exceeded only by Morgan County (72.8) and Randolph County (73.1) by narrow margins. The 21.7% poor/fair health rate ranks among the lowest regionally, beaten only by Morgan County (21.9%), signaling Pike residents enjoy exceptional health compared to neighbors. Pike's 42 primary care and 97 mental health providers per 100K represent reasonable rural access, more robust than Pickens or Perry counties.

Strong health despite limited provider network

Pike County's 71.6-year life expectancy and 21.7% poor/fair health rate are remarkable given just 42 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, suggesting effective use of limited resources. The 10.6% uninsured rate (roughly 3,500 residents) and accessible mental health services (97 per 100K) provide a foundation for population health. Pike's outcomes suggest strong community health infrastructure or favorable health demographics, though provider shortages remain a constraint on preventive care expansion.

Pike residents: protect your health advantage

For Pike's 3,500 uninsured residents, securing coverage at healthcare.gov or by calling 1-800-318-2596 is essential to sustaining the county's strong health outcomes. Pike's 97 mental health providers per 100K offer robust behavioral health access—insurance unlocks this resource. Maintaining Pike's exceptional health advantage depends on insured status and consistent preventive care; use your coverage to stay ahead of chronic disease and support the health profile your county has built.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pike County

via RiskByCounty

Pike County sits safely below national risk

Pike County's composite risk score of 43.99 earns a 'Relatively Low' rating and falls 18 points below Alabama's state average of 61.54. This positions Pike among the nation's lower-risk counties for combined natural hazards.

Lower-risk county in Alabama's middle tier

Pike County ranks in Alabama's safer half, with a 43.99 composite score that trails the state average by 18 points. It avoids the extreme risk concentrations of Mobile, Montgomery, and Morgan counties.

Comparable risk to Pickens and Monroe

Pike County's 43.99 score mirrors Pickens County (44.69) and Monroe County (48.66), forming a cluster of moderate-risk counties in south-central Alabama. All three sit well below the state average and are dramatically safer than nearby Montgomery (91.83).

Hurricane and flood risks are notable

Hurricane risk (83.56) is Pike County's highest concern, likely reflecting its proximity to coastal weather systems, followed by flood risk (47.61). Tornado risk (57.73), earthquake risk (57.03), and wildfire risk (33.87) all remain below state average.

Hurricane preparedness plus basic coverage

Pike County residents should maintain standard homeowner insurance and ensure wind/hurricane coverage is included, given the 83.56 hurricane score. Flood insurance is recommended but not urgent given the 47.61 flood risk; review your policy annually for adequate replacement value.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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