CountyScore

St. Clair County

Alabama · AL

#43 in Alabama
70
County Score

County Report Card

About St. Clair County, Alabama

St. Clair County beats national average convincingly

St. Clair County's composite score of 70.0 is 40% higher than the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 70th percentile nationally. This positions the county among the more livable regions across the United States.

Right at the heart of Alabama's county performance

St. Clair County matches Alabama's state average composite score of 70.8 almost exactly at 70.0, representing the typical livable Alabama county. This places it firmly in the competitive middle of the state's 67 counties.

Tax efficiency and balanced living costs dominate

St. Clair County boasts the lowest effective tax rate among these counties at 0.305%, coupled with the highest tax score of 93.7 and moderate housing costs (73.5). Median household income of $78,993 provides solid earning power without extreme wealth concentration.

Environmental risk requires moderate vigilance

Environmental risk (27.9) represents the main area for improvement, suggesting some exposure to natural hazards or infrastructure vulnerabilities. Income levels (34.9) and health (67.3) are solid but not exceptional.

Sweet spot for middle-class seekers of stability

St. Clair County fits middle-income families and professionals seeking tax efficiency, balanced affordability, and solid quality of life. The county's centered profile makes it a reliable, low-risk choice for those prioritizing stability over extremes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax93.7Cost73.5SafetyComing SoonHealth67.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome34.9Risk27.9WaterComing Soon
🏛93.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼34.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡27.9
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 St. Clair County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Sumter County
Alabama
70
Median income: $37,981
Sitka City and Borough
Alaska
70
Median income: $101,207
Lee County
Arkansas
70
Median income: $36,860
Pike County
Georgia
70
Median income: $84,184
Nez Perce County
Idaho
70
Median income: $71,466

Deep Dives

St. Clair County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in St. Clair County

via TaxByCounty

St. Clair's tax rate sits well below national median

St. Clair County's effective tax rate of 0.305% ranks in the 38th percentile nationally, placing it comfortably below the national median of 0.309%. Homeowners here pay $666 annually on a median home value of $218,500. This advantageous rate reflects Alabama's generally lower property tax burden compared to high-tax states.

St. Clair ranks among Alabama's lowest tax counties

St. Clair County's 0.305% effective rate ranks 59th among Alabama's 67 counties—in the bottom 12% of taxing counties. The median annual property tax of $666 is 30% above Alabama's state average of $511, driven partly by St. Clair's higher median home values. Overall, St. Clair offers a relatively tax-friendly environment within the state.

St. Clair taxes lower than Shelby and Talladega

St. Clair's 0.305% rate undercuts neighboring Shelby County (0.450%) and Talladega County (0.369%) substantially. Russell County to the east also taxes higher at 0.414%. St. Clair represents the low-tax anchor of central Alabama.

A $218,500 home costs $666 yearly in tax

The median St. Clair County homeowner with a property valued at $218,500 pays $666 annually in property taxes. With mortgage provisions, taxes rise slightly to $722; without a mortgage, they drop to $527. A 30-year mortgage means approximately $20,000 in cumulative property tax payments.

St. Clair residents can still benefit from appeals

Even in lower-tax counties, overassessments occur regularly. St. Clair homeowners should review their assessed values against recent comparable home sales in their neighborhoods. Filing a free appeal could save $50–150+ annually for many properties.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in St. Clair County

via CostByCounty

St. Clair strikes the middle ground

St. Clair County households earn $78,993—6% above the national median of $74,755—and spend 16.4% of income on rent, placing housing comfortably within the affordable range. This Calhoun County suburb balances strong regional incomes with reasonable housing costs.

Better than state average affordability

St. Clair County's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio beats Alabama's 18.0% state average, even as median rents of $1,077 exceed the state median by $278. The county's above-average incomes drive its superior affordability ranking statewide.

A balanced option among peers

St. Clair sits between the affordable rural counties—Tallapoosa at $734 rent and Talladega at $772—and the premium Shelby County at $1,348. Owner costs of $1,004 monthly align closely with Tuscaloosa ($1,109), reflecting similar suburban development patterns.

Balanced income meets balanced housing

St. Clair renters allocate $1,077 monthly to housing, or 16.4% of the $78,993 median income, leaving comfortable breathing room in household budgets. Homeowners spend $1,004 monthly at a median home value of $218,500, representing solid wealth-building potential.

St. Clair works for mid-range earners

St. Clair County offers the sweet spot for families earning $75,000–$95,000 seeking suburban amenities without overstretching budgets. If you're relocating from higher-cost markets, compare your income to the $78,993 median; households below that should explore rural alternatives nearby.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in St. Clair County

via IncomeByCounty

St. Clair Approaches National Income Parity

St. Clair County's median household income of $78,993 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 6%, signaling solid economic health. The county ranks among Alabama's better-performing regions on a national scale.

Second-Highest Income in Alabama

St. Clair County ranks second in Alabama with a median household income 46% above the state average of $54,196, trailing only Shelby County. This strong position reflects a robust local economy and skilled workforce.

St. Clair Leads East-Central Alabama

St. Clair County's $78,993 income significantly outpaces neighbors Talladega County ($56,249) and Walker County ($54,509), establishing it as the region's income leader. The 40% gap to Talladega demonstrates St. Clair's economic advantage in the area.

Healthy Housing Affordability Standards

St. Clair County's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Alabama's most affordable, leaving substantial disposable income for households. A median home value of $218,500 remains accessible for most area earners.

Leverage St. Clair's Income Advantage

St. Clair County residents earning $78,993 should capitalize on their income advantage by maximizing retirement accounts and building diversified investment portfolios. Consider increasing contributions to 401(k) plans and exploring additional wealth-building opportunities through real estate or small business ventures.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in St. Clair County

via HealthByCounty

St. Clair County slightly above national average

At 72.8 years, St. Clair County's life expectancy is 4.4 years below the U.S. average of 77.2 years, indicating room for improvement in chronic disease management. The 17.8% poor/fair health rate exceeds national norms, suggesting a population facing preventable health burdens.

Modest edge over state health averages

St. Clair County's 72.8-year life expectancy barely exceeds Alabama's 72.1-year state average, positioning it in the state's middle tier. Its 17.8% poor/fair health rate runs below the state trend, indicating relatively better-managed chronic conditions among those reporting their health status.

Mixed performance against regional counterparts

St. Clair's 72.8-year life expectancy mirrors Tallapoosa County but trails Tuscaloosa County's 74.5 years by 1.7 years. With 18 primary care providers per 100K—tied with Russell County—St. Clair faces similar access constraints as lower-performing neighbors.

Moderate uninsured rate complicates routine care

At 9.6% uninsured, St. Clair County sits below Alabama's 11.1% state average but still leaves roughly 1 in 10 residents without continuous coverage. Limited primary care capacity (18 per 100K) and sparse mental health providers (29 per 100K) mean residents often experience delays in accessing mental health support.

Close the coverage gap for your family

St. Clair County's 9.6% uninsured rate remains sizable; visit healthcare.gov or call Alabama Medicaid to check if your household qualifies for subsidized coverage. Community health centers throughout the county provide primary care, preventive services, and mental health support on a sliding-fee basis.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in St. Clair County

via RiskByCounty

St. Clair County Above-Average Risk Profile

St. Clair County scores 72.14, earning a relatively low risk rating but sitting nearly 11 points above Alabama's state average of 61.54. This gap signals that residents face more diverse natural disaster threats than typical Alabamians.

Mid-Tier Risk Ranking Statewide

St. Clair County ranks in the moderate range among the eight counties analyzed, with lower scores than Shelby, Tuscaloosa, and Talladega but higher scores than Russell and Sumter. Its composite score reflects particular exposure to tornado and flood events.

Higher Risk Than Nearby Rural Areas

St. Clair County's 72.14 score exceeds Russell (54.74) and Sumter (53.02) but trails Talladega (84.67) and Tuscaloosa (90.81). Compared to similarly situated Tallapoosa County (67.46), St. Clair faces somewhat elevated tornado and flood exposure.

Tornadoes and Floods Lead Hazards

Tornado risk peaks at 91.76, while flood risk scores 75.92, reflecting St. Clair's position in a naturally active corridor. Earthquake risk (74.94) and wildfire risk (71.76) add additional layered exposure across the county.

Prepare for Multiple Hazard Types

St. Clair residents should prioritize both tornado and flood insurance, as scores of 91.76 and 75.92 respectively demand serious preparation. Identify or create a safe room, secure important documents, and maintain homeowners coverage—flood insurance purchased now offers the best protection before an event strikes.

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.