Sumter County's composite score of 70.0 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 70th percentile nationally. This rural Alabama county offers livability comparable to many more urbanized regions nationally.
2 / 5
Slightly below Alabama's average despite rural character
Sumter County's 70.0 score sits marginally below Alabama's 70.8 state average, making it a representative Alabama county in overall livability. The 0.8-point gap reflects how competitive the state's county performance truly is.
3 / 5
Extreme affordability is the defining asset
Sumter County excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 85.1, median rent of just $841/month, and median home value of $84,100—among the lowest in the region. Low taxes (92.3) further cement its position as exceptionally budget-friendly.
4 / 5
Income and health present significant headwinds
Income levels are critically low with a score of 8.2 and median household income of just $37,981, the lowest among these eight counties. Health outcomes (56.0) and environmental risk (47.0) also lag, suggesting economic and resource constraints.
5 / 5
Best for retirees and ultra-budget-conscious families
Sumter County suits retirees on fixed incomes and families with minimal earning needs who prioritize rock-bottom housing and living costs above all else. Economic constraints mean job seekers should consider this a long-term retirement or downsize destination rather than a growth opportunity.
Sumter County's composite score of 70.0 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 70th percentile nationally. This rural Alabama county offers livability comparable to many more urbanized regions nationally.
Slightly below Alabama's average despite rural character
Sumter County's 70.0 score sits marginally below Alabama's 70.8 state average, making it a representative Alabama county in overall livability. The 0.8-point gap reflects how competitive the state's county performance truly is.
Extreme affordability is the defining asset
Sumter County excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 85.1, median rent of just $841/month, and median home value of $84,100—among the lowest in the region. Low taxes (92.3) further cement its position as exceptionally budget-friendly.
Income and health present significant headwinds
Income levels are critically low with a score of 8.2 and median household income of just $37,981, the lowest among these eight counties. Health outcomes (56.0) and environmental risk (47.0) also lag, suggesting economic and resource constraints.
Best for retirees and ultra-budget-conscious families
Sumter County suits retirees on fixed incomes and families with minimal earning needs who prioritize rock-bottom housing and living costs above all else. Economic constraints mean job seekers should consider this a long-term retirement or downsize destination rather than a growth opportunity.
Score breakdown
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🏛92.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Sumter County's effective tax rate of 0.353% falls slightly below the national median of 0.309%, yet median home values of just $84,100 make Sumter's actual tax burden remarkably light. Homeowners pay only $297 annually—89% below the national median of $2,690. This combination of modest rates and low property values creates Alabama's most affordable tax environment.
Sumter ranks 38th in taxes among Alabama counties
Sumter County's 0.353% effective tax rate positions it in the middle tier statewide, at 38th among 67 counties. However, the median annual tax of just $297 is 42% *below* Alabama's state average of $511. Sumter's affordability stems from its significantly lower property values, not lower tax rates.
Sumter's actual taxes are lowest in its region
While Sumter's 0.353% rate falls between neighbors like Walker County (0.272%) and Talladega County (0.369%), its median tax bill of $297 is the lowest in the surrounding region. Sumter's lower property values create a tax advantage despite a middling effective rate. This makes Sumter particularly attractive for budget-conscious homebuyers.
An $84,100 home costs just $297 yearly in tax
The median Sumter County homeowner with a property valued at $84,100 pays only $297 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, the amount rises slightly to $335; without one, it drops to $278. Over 30 years, Sumter homeowners pay roughly $8,900 in cumulative property taxes on a median-value home.
Even modest appeals can matter in Sumter
Because Sumter's base taxes are so low, even small overassessments represent meaningful savings opportunities. A $10,000 overvaluation translates to $35 in annual savings—meaningful for households with tight budgets. File a free appeal if your home's assessed value seems high relative to recent neighborhood sales.
Sumter County residents earn just $37,981—49% below the national median of $74,755—yet spend 26.6% of income on rent, edging toward unaffordable territory. This rural west Alabama county experiences the sharpest gap between limited incomes and housing costs among these eight counties.
Alabama's most strained renters
Sumter County's 26.6% rent-to-income ratio stands 48% higher than Alabama's 18.0% state average, the worst affordability in this eight-county comparison. Even at modest rents of $841 monthly, the county's depressed income levels create genuine housing stress.
Struggling more than surrounding counties
Sumter's $841 rent slightly exceeds Tallapoosa ($734) and Talladega ($772) despite lower median incomes, creating a uniquely tough affordability squeeze. Owner costs of $540 monthly remain the lowest in the group, but even these strain households earning $37,981 annually.
Thin margins for housing decisions
Sumter County renters commit $841 of $37,981 annual income—26.6%—to housing, leaving limited flexibility for other essential expenses. The median home value of $84,100 offers entry-level ownership, but household incomes barely support the $540 monthly payment.
Sumter requires careful income planning
Sumter County's genuine affordability challenge demands households secure incomes at or above the $37,981 median before relocating. Job seekers should prioritize positions offering $45,000+ salaries to comfortably navigate housing costs; lower-wage work may require housing assistance programs or relocation to even more rural areas.
Sumter County's median household income of $37,981 trails the national median of $74,755 by 49%, representing one of the most economically challenged counties in the nation. This substantial gap reflects persistent poverty and limited economic opportunity in the region.
Lowest Income County in Alabama
Sumter County ranks as Alabama's least affluent county, with median household income 30% below the state average of $54,196. The county faces severe economic challenges that require targeted investment and community development.
Sumter Significantly Behind All Peers
Sumter County's $37,981 income trails every neighboring county, including Russell County ($50,046) and Talladega County ($56,249). The county's economic isolation underscores the need for strategic economic development and workforce initiatives.
Housing Costs Strain Limited Incomes
Sumter County's 26.6% rent-to-income ratio approaches the problematic 30% threshold, squeezing household budgets and limiting savings capacity. A median home value of $84,100 offers affordability, but income constraints still limit wealth-building opportunities.
Start Small, Build Financial Resilience
Sumter County residents should prioritize building emergency savings funds starting with even small amounts, as financial shocks pose acute risks to limited-income households. Explore free financial literacy resources and low-cost investment options to begin wealth accumulation despite income constraints.
At 71.3 years, Sumter County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average by nearly 6 years, placing it among the nation's lowest-performing counties. A startling 29.5% of residents report poor or fair health—the highest rate in this region—reflecting acute socioeconomic and healthcare access challenges.
Lowest life expectancy in state peer group
Sumter County's 71.3-year life expectancy sits 0.8 years below Alabama's 72.1-year state average, while its 29.5% poor/fair health rate is the worst among these eight counties. These metrics signal that Sumter residents face disproportionate health burdens compared to the rest of Alabama.
Sumter's health crisis stands apart regionally
Sumter County's 29.5% poor/fair health rate far exceeds all neighboring counties—Russell (26.4%), Talladega (23.5%), and Tuscaloosa (21.3%)—marking a regional outlier. Even with 58 primary care providers per 100K, the county struggles with only 17 mental health providers, creating a significant treatment gap for behavioral health.
Limited mental health capacity compounds crises
Though Sumter's 9.3% uninsured rate is below Alabama's average, only 17 mental health providers per 100K serve a population burdened by poverty and chronic illness. This mismatch between physical healthcare capacity and behavioral health resources leaves residents with untreated depression, anxiety, and substance-use disorders.
Urgent: secure coverage and mental health support
Sumter County residents should prioritize enrolling in health coverage via healthcare.gov or Alabama Medicaid to access mental health services and chronic disease management. If you're struggling with depression or substance use, call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for free, confidential referrals to local treatment.
Sumter County scores 53.02 on the composite risk index, the lowest among the eight counties and well below Alabama's state average of 61.54. Its relatively low rating reflects moderate exposure across most hazard categories, though some risks remain noteworthy.
Lowest Risk in This Analysis
Sumter County ranks as the safest community in this eight-county peer group, barely edging Russell County (54.74) and substantially outscoring moderate-risk counties like Shelby, Tuscaloosa, and Talladega. This positioning reflects the county's southwestern Alabama location and composition.
Notably Safer Than Surrounding Counties
Sumter County's 53.02 score ranks lowest in the analysis, with the next-safest peer (Russell, 54.74) scoring just over a point higher and others far ahead. This relative safety advantage makes it one of Alabama's more resilient communities.
Hurricane and Tornado Pose Main Threats
Hurricane risk scores 76.26 and tornado risk scores 81.74, the two highest hazards in Sumter County despite the county's overall low composite rating. Flood risk (54.77) and wildfire risk (34.41) present comparatively lower concerns.
Focus on Seasonal Storm Protection
With hurricane risk at 76.26 and tornado risk at 81.74, Sumter residents should maintain robust homeowners insurance covering wind and hail damage. Though the county's overall risk is low, these seasonal threats warrant emergency planning and secure shelter preparation.