countyscore
49.9
County Score
Property Tax 97.1Income & Jobs 77.8Water Quality 69.7

County Report Card

About St. Clair County, Alabama

St. Clair County meets national expectations

St. Clair County's composite score of 49.4 tracks just below the national median of 50.0, placing it near the middle of the livability spectrum. It represents an average American community with both strengths and clear areas for improvement.

Slightly below Alabama's average

At 49.4, St. Clair County falls marginally below Alabama's state average of 52.9, suggesting it ranks in the lower-middle tier of Alabama communities. The county faces some headwinds in delivering overall livability compared to stronger state peers.

Exceptional tax rates and solid incomes

St. Clair County boasts the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.305% and an exceptional tax score of 98.1, coupled with a solid median household income of $78,993. These financial fundamentals provide real purchasing power for residents.

Safety and schools need strengthening

The county's safety score of 43.8 and school score of 33.0 represent significant weak spots in the livability profile. Health outcomes (44.3) and affordable housing (26.3 cost score) also present obstacles for families seeking well-rounded communities.

Best for tax-savvy, income-stable households

St. Clair County appeals to individuals with stable moderate-to-good incomes who prioritize low taxation over school quality and neighborhood safety. It works best for those working remotely or self-employed, or families supplementing local schools with private options.

2040608010097.128.143.844.33377.827.969.758.4Tax97.1Cost28.1Safety43.8Health44.3Schools33Income77.8Risk27.9Water69.7Weather58.449.9/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

St. Clair County DNA

Foverall

How St. Clair County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

St. Clair County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (97.1/100) but notably weak in Schools (33/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
97.1+45.099999999999994
Cost
28.1-19.9
Safety
43.8-11.200000000000003
Health
44.3
Schools
33-21
Income
77.8+26.799999999999997
Risk
27.9-19.1
Water
69.7+11.700000000000003
Weather
58.4
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$226,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,084/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$226,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$43,360/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $77,463/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

11.8

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
Compare St. Clair County with Cherokee County →Share on X

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Median income: $53,863
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Effingham County
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Fayette County
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Crow Wing County
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Howell County
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Grant County
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Dallas County
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50

Nearby counties

Blount County
Alabama
52.4
Talladega County
Alabama
47.3
Etowah County
Alabama
46.8
Calhoun County
Alabama
44.2
Clay County
Alabama
60.8
Shelby County
Alabama
58.6
Cullman County
Alabama
49.7
Jefferson County
Alabama
34.6

Deep Dives

St. Clair County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 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

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

Safety in St. Clair County

via CrimeByCounty

Strong Safety Performance Against National Trends

St. Clair County reports 1,264.7 crimes per 100K, which is significantly lower than the national rate of 2,385.5. This performance contributes to a solid safety score of 98.0.

Outperforming Alabama State Safety Averages

The county's safety score of 98.0 sits comfortably above the Alabama state average of 97.3. Ten reporting agencies keep local crime rates well below the state average of 1,731.0 per 100K.

St. Clair Compared to Nearby Counties

St. Clair's crime rate of 1,264.7 is higher than neighboring Shelby County's 811.4 but much lower than Talladega County's 2,236.6. It occupies a safe middle ground for the region.

Analyzing Violent and Property Crime Risks

Violent crime is reported at 213.7 per 100K, while property crime accounts for 1,051.0 incidents. Both categories remain below the national averages for the 2022 reporting year.

Visible Security Deterrence for Homeowners

Ensuring all entry points are secure is vital as property crimes are the most frequent local incident. A visible home security system can further reduce the risk of burglary.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in St. Clair County

via SoilByCounty

Woodland acidity levels require careful management

With a pH of 5.11, St. Clair County soil is more acidic than both the state average of 5.21 and the national median of 6.5. This low pH profile is characteristic of many Alabama woodlands and requires management for most row crops.

Balanced blend of sand and silt

The composition consists of 44.8% sand, 36.2% silt, and 19.0% clay. This blend creates a versatile soil structure that balances the drainage of sand with the structural stability of clay.

Strong moisture retention despite low fertility

Organic matter sits at 1.41%, which is roughly 19% lower than the state average of 1.74%. Despite this, the soil maintains an impressive available water capacity of 0.155 in/in, outperforming the state baseline of 0.138.

Soil structure prevents heavy compaction

While specific drainage classes are not recorded, the balanced sand and silt levels suggest moderate infiltration rates. This mix typically prevents the heavy compaction often found in counties with higher clay percentages.

Long growing seasons for leafy greens

Gardeners in Hardiness Zone 8a can take advantage of a robust growing season for brassicas and leafy greens. Adding organic amendments will help bridge the gap between the current fertility and the national 2.0% organic matter benchmark.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in St. Clair County

via LawnByCounty

Manageable Growth in Zone 8a

With a lawn difficulty score of 39.4, St. Clair County is one of the more manageable areas in Alabama, though it still falls below the national median. Homeowners in this 8a hardiness zone enjoy slightly more forgiving conditions than their neighbors in Shelby.

Predicting the Growing Season

While specific precipitation and temperature data for the county are currently limited, the regional climate typically supports a long, active growing season. You should monitor local weather patterns closely to adjust your mowing and watering habits as the seasons shift.

Correcting Low Soil pH

The soil is fairly balanced with 44.8% sand and 19.0% clay, though its pH of 5.11 is well below the ideal 6.0 threshold. Adding agricultural lime is the first step to unlocking nutrients trapped in this naturally acidic soil foundation.

Preparing for Dry Conditions

Lawns here spent 17 weeks in drought conditions over the past twelve months. Current data shows the entire county is abnormally dry, so prioritizing root health through proper fertilization is key to surviving these periodic dry stints.

Versatile Grasses for St. Clair

Zone 8a is perfect for versatile grasses like Tall Fescue in shaded areas or Bermuda in full sun. Start your planting projects in the spring once the ground warms up to ensure your new lawn is established before the summer heat.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is St. Clair County's county score?
St. Clair County, Alabama has a composite county score of 49.9 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 St. Clair County rank among counties in Alabama?
St. Clair County ranks #44 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 St. Clair County, Alabama?
The median annual property tax in St. Clair County is $724, with an effective tax rate of 0.32%. This earns St. Clair County a tax score of 97.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in St. Clair County?
The median household income in St. Clair County, Alabama is $77,463 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. St. Clair County earns an income score of 77.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is St. Clair County, Alabama a good place to live?
St. Clair County scores 49.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #44 in Alabama. The best way to evaluate St. Clair 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 St. Clair County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.