countyscore
49.4
County Score
Property Tax 98.1Income & Jobs 82.5Water 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.

Score breakdown

Tax98.1Cost26.3Safety43.8Health44.3Schools33Income82.5Risk27.9Water69.7Weather58.4
🏛98.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠26.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼82.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡43.8
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤44.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓33
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡27.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧69.7
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤58.4
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨21.1
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱39.4
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Lake County
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Prince George County
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Nearby counties

Blount County
Alabama
52.9
Talladega County
Alabama
46.9
Etowah County
Alabama
47.7
Calhoun County
Alabama
44.2
Clay County
Alabama
60.4
Shelby County
Alabama
58.5
Cullman County
Alabama
49.7
Jefferson County
Alabama
34.7

Deep Dives

St. Clair County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

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

Schools in St. Clair County

via SchoolsByCounty

Broad School Coverage in St. Clair

St. Clair County manages 28 public schools for a total enrollment of 13,904 students. The network includes 11 elementary, eight middle, and six high schools across two local districts.

Steady Academic Results with Efficient Spending

The 90.7% graduation rate perfectly matches the Alabama state average, surpassing the national 87.0% benchmark. Educators achieve these results with $5,800 in per-pupil spending, which is lower than both the state and national averages.

District Leadership in Pell City and St. Clair

The St. Clair County district is the largest, educating 9,747 students across 20 schools. The Pell City district serves an additional 4,157 students across eight schools, and there are no charter schools in the county.

Rural and Town-Centered Learning

With 18 rural and eight town-based schools, the county offers an average school size of 535 students. Pell City High School is the county's largest at 1,171 students, while Springville Elementary follows with 978 students.

Discover Community-Focused Schools

Families looking for a rural or small-town feel will find St. Clair County’s school system an attractive choice. Graduation rates here meet state standards, making it a reliable area for long-term home investment.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

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 49.4 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 #43 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 $666, with an effective tax rate of 0.30%. This earns St. Clair County a tax score of 98.1/100 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 $78,993 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. St. Clair County earns an income score of 82.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is St. Clair County, Alabama a good place to live?
St. Clair County scores 49.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #43 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.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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