countyscore
47.2
County Score
Property Tax 99.2Cost of Living 81.3Weather & Climate 60.9

County Report Card

About Walker County, Alabama

Walker County near the national livability median

Walker County's composite score of 47.0 sits just below the national median of 50.0, reflecting a below-average position in the U.S. livability ranking. The county offers an ordinary American experience with notable trade-offs.

Below Alabama's average performance

At 47.0, Walker County falls below Alabama's state average of 52.9, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Alabama communities. The county lags behind many stronger Alabama peers in overall livability.

Lowest taxes and exceptional affordability

Walker County boasts the lowest effective tax rate in this group at 0.272% with a tax score of 99.1, paired with a cost score of 80.5. Median rent of $743/month and home values around $131,100 make it one of Alabama's most affordable counties.

Safety and health outcomes severely underperform

Walker County's safety score of 16.7 and health score of 15.3 represent critical livability weaknesses, among the lowest in this survey. Limited water quality (56.4) and weak school performance (33.1) compound these challenges.

Suitable mainly for self-reliant cost-minimizers

Walker County appeals to individuals and couples with stable outside income who prioritize absolute lowest living costs and can manage independent healthcare and safety strategies. It's not recommended for families with children or those dependent on local public services.

2040608010099.281.316.715.333.124.517.456.460.9Tax99.2Cost81.3Safety16.7Health15.3Schools33.1Income24.5Risk17.4Water56.4Weather60.947.2/100
This county
National avg
2 above average5 below average

Walker County DNA

Foverall

How Walker County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Walker County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (99.2/100) but notably weak in Safety (16.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
99.2+47.2
Cost
81.3+33.3
Safety
16.7-38.3
Health
15.3-34.7
Schools
33.1-20.9
Income
24.5-26.5
Risk
17.4-29.6
Water
56.4
Weather
60.9
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$135,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$756/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$135,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $56,509/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

26.2

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
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Counties with similar scores

York County
Maine
Median income: $88,333
47.2
Attala County
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Leflore County
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Herkimer County
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Stark County
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Tipton County
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Median income: $74,127
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Ward County
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Median income: $65,952
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Talladega County
Alabama
Median income: $57,776
47.3

Nearby counties

Fayette County
Alabama
53.8
Jefferson County
Alabama
34.6
Winston County
Alabama
59.9
Tuscaloosa County
Alabama
39.8
Cullman County
Alabama
49.7
Blount County
Alabama
52.4
Marion County
Alabama
58
Lamar County
Alabama
66.4

Deep Dives

Walker County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Walker County

via TaxByCounty

Walker has Alabama's lowest property tax rate

Walker County's effective tax rate of 0.272% ranks in the 29th percentile nationally, well below the national median of 0.309%. Homeowners pay just $357 annually on a median home valued at $131,100—79% below the national median tax of $2,690. Walker offers one of the nation's most tax-friendly environments for property owners.

Walker ranks lowest in taxes among all Alabama

At 0.272%, Walker County has Alabama's lowest effective property tax rate among all 67 counties. The median annual tax of $357 is 30% below Alabama's state average of $511. Walker stands as the clear tax leader across the entire state.

Walker taxes lower than all nearby counties

Walker's 0.272% rate is substantially lower than neighboring Tuscaloosa County (0.323%), Tallapoosa County (0.311%), and all eastern neighbors. Only St. Clair County (0.305%) comes close, but still exceeds Walker. Walker represents central Alabama's most tax-advantaged county.

A $131,100 home costs $357 yearly in tax

The median Walker County homeowner with a property valued at $131,100 pays just $357 annually in property taxes. With mortgage provisions, the amount rises to $430; without a mortgage, it drops to $277. Over 30 years, Walker homeowners pay roughly $10,700 in cumulative property taxes.

Even in Walker, appeals can yield savings

Walker County's low baseline taxes mean even modest overassessments represent meaningful savings. If your home's assessed value seems high relative to recent neighborhood sales, file a free assessment appeal. Small reductions translate to annual savings of $20–40 or more.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Walker County

via IncomeByCounty

Walker County Below National Median

Walker County's median household income of $54,509 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 27%, placing it in the lower-middle income tier nationally. The county reflects economic challenges common to rural Alabama communities.

Just At Alabama Average Income

Walker County's median household income of $54,509 nearly matches Alabama's state average of $54,196, ranking it in the middle of state counties. The county performs at parity with statewide economic conditions.

Walker Among Moderate-Income Peers

Walker County's $54,509 income sits between Sumter County ($37,981) and Tuscaloosa County ($63,947), positioning it as a moderate earner in northwest Alabama. The county mirrors broader regional income patterns.

Healthy Housing Affordability Ratio

Walker County's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio maintains solid housing affordability, keeping household budgets manageable and preserving savings capacity. A median home value of $131,100 remains accessible for most local earners.

Grow Your Wealth With Consistency

Walker County residents earning $54,509 should commit to consistent savings habits and take full advantage of employer retirement benefits. Even modest, steady investments compound over decades to build meaningful long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Walker County

via CrimeByCounty

Walker County Safety Score Overview

Walker County has a crime rate of 2,263.8 per 100K, which is lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This data contributes to its safety score of 96.4.

Below State Averages for Total Safety

Walker's safety score of 96.4 is nearly a point lower than the Alabama state average of 97.3. Seven agencies report a total crime rate that exceeds the state average of 1,731.0.

Local Comparisons in Central Alabama

The county's crime rate of 2,263.8 per 100K is higher than St. Clair County's 1,264.7. It aligns closely with the crime levels seen in nearby Tuscaloosa County.

Property Crimes Dominant Local Incidents

Violent crime is relatively low at 257.0 per 100K, well below the national average. However, property crime is high, accounting for 2,006.8 incidents per 100K.

Secure Your Valuables Outdoors

Focusing on property security is essential, as theft and burglary make up the vast majority of local crime. Simple habits like securing outdoor valuables can make a big difference.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Walker County

via WeatherByCounty

Walker County is Both Warm and Wet

Walker County averages 61.1°F annually, which is warmer than the national median but cooler than most of Alabama. It receives a staggering 61.8 inches of rain, far exceeding national averages.

Cooler and Wetter Than the Alabama Average

The county is significantly cooler than the Alabama state average of 63.2°F. However, it receives 4.4 inches more rain than the state average of 57.4 inches.

Walker Leads the Region in Precipitation

Walker is much cooler than neighboring Tuscaloosa at 64.6°F. It is the wettest county in the region, receiving 61.8 inches of rain compared to Talladega's 55.5 inches.

A More Moderate Summer Climate

Walker sees 58 days of extreme heat over 90°F, which is lower than many neighboring counties. January is the coldest in the group at 41.3°F, with 0.6 inches of average snowfall.

Focus on Moisture Control and Drainage

With 61.8 inches of annual rain, moisture barriers and high-capacity gutters are essential for home maintenance. Residents should also prepare for cooler January nights that average 41.3°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Walker County

via SoilByCounty

Walker soils follow regional acidic trends

Walker County soil has a pH of 5.14, which is slightly more acidic than the state average of 5.21. Like much of the region, it remains far below the national median pH of 6.5.

Medium-textured soils are easy to till

The soil composition is nearly half sand at 48.5%, supported by 36.5% silt and 15.1% clay. This mix creates a medium-textured soil that is generally easy to till but may be prone to erosion on slopes.

Moisture retention matches state averages

Organic matter levels are low at 1.32%, trailing the Alabama average of 1.74%. However, the available water capacity is exactly 0.138 in/in, which perfectly matches the statewide average for moisture retention.

Moderate clay content provides soil stability

The 15.1% clay content is sufficient to provide some moisture stability without causing major drainage issues. The overall soil score of 15.1 reflects some challenges in productivity compared to the state average of 22.5.

Mulch heavily for better garden results

Zone 8a offers a great climate for growing berries and native shrubs. Since organic matter is currently below the national average of 2.0%, mulching heavily will help improve the soil over time and keep your garden productive.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Walker County

via LawnByCounty

A Wetter Path to Green

Walker County earns a 27.5 on the difficulty scale, making it slightly more challenging than the Alabama average. Located in hardiness zone 8a, it offers a marginally cooler summer than its southern neighbors.

The Region's Highest Rainfall

This is the wettest county in the set, receiving a whopping 61.8 inches of rain annually. With only 58 extreme heat days—the lowest in this group—managing excess moisture and drainage is a bigger task than fighting heat.

Balanced Texture, Low pH

The soil pH of 5.14 is significantly below the ideal range, requiring corrective lime applications every season. With a sand content of 48.5%, the soil generally drains well, but it needs supplemental organic matter to improve nutrient retention.

Handling High Rainfall Variability

Walker County recorded 22 weeks of drought last year, though it currently remains free of Severe+ conditions. Focus on building organic matter in your soil to help the lawn better withstand the inevitable dry spells between heavy rains.

Spring Start in Walker

Mark your calendar for March 30 to start your spring lawn care routine after the final frost. Bermuda and Tall Fescue are popular choices here, given the high rainfall and the relatively shorter periods of intense heat.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Walker County's county score?
Walker County, Alabama has a composite county score of 47.2 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 Walker County rank among counties in Alabama?
Walker County ranks #51 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 Walker County, Alabama?
The median annual property tax in Walker County is $356, with an effective tax rate of 0.26%. This earns Walker County a tax score of 99.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Walker County?
The median household income in Walker County, Alabama is $56,509 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Walker County earns an income score of 24.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Walker County, Alabama a good place to live?
Walker County scores 47.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #51 in Alabama. The best way to evaluate Walker 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 Walker 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.