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Jackson County, AL

RANK #478 / 996  ·  POP 52,618  ·  AL

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.8%

Jackson County sits in the middle of the pack — stable but not accelerating.

[01] Why Jackson County?

Jackson County, Alabama, stands out for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation, particularly its numerous caves, with more per square mile than any other U.S. county. Located in northeastern Alabama, the county seat is Scottsboro. It sits about an hour's drive from Huntsville, Alabama, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, with U.S. Highway 72 providing a four-lane route connecting these cities. The Tennessee River, including Lake Guntersville, flows through the county, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and camping. The area also features hiking trails, such as parts of the Walls of Jericho and the Pinhoti Trail. Life in Jackson County often involves a blend of small-town living with access to larger cities. Many residents own their homes, and the public schools are considered above average. The economy is supported by various sectors, including advanced manufacturing and research and development. There have been recent investments in infrastructure, such as broadband expansion and utility upgrades, alongside new industrial projects.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.1x

Below national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+2.1%

Below national median

Home Prices
-1.9%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
1.2

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
15x

Above national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 4.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Jackson County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
52,618
+0.13% YoY
Median Household Income
$46,748
Median Home Value
$126,900
-1.95% 12mo
Median Rent
$702
Average Annual Pay
$49,421
+3.4% YoY
Employment
15,446
-0.1% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3684
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
1.46%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$269,000
Days on Market
93
Slower market
Months of Supply
4.8
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.3%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
8.8%
Listings w/ Price Drops
16.7%
Building Permits (2024)
53
Single-Family Permits
53

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$1,000M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Google Data Center
Google
$600M Operating
Jackson County Solar Farm (Hollywood)
TVA (power purchaser)
$150M Planned
Raider Wind Project
NextEra Energy
$150M Proposed
Three Waters Wind Project
NextEra Energy Resources
$50M Proposed
Advanced Displays Distribution Center
Advanced Displays
$50M Completed

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +2.1% 38 percentile
Population Growth +0.1% 36 percentile
Income Growth +6.8% 15 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.4% 98 percentile
Home Price Change -1.9% 15 percentile
Price/Rent 15x 34 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jackson County, AL a good place to move to?

Jackson County has a Boom Town Index score of 52/100, ranking #478 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.1% and a median household income of $46,748, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Jackson County affordable?

The median home value in Jackson County is $126,900 with median rent at $702/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3684, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Jackson County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.1%. Home values changed -1.9% in the past 12 months.

[08] Similar Metros

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