RANK #883 / 996 · POP 64,978 · AL
PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.4%
Jasper, the county seat, stands out in Walker County, Alabama, a region known for its outdoor recreation opportunities. Located about 20 minutes from Birmingham, the county offers a blend of rural charm and accessibility to a major metropolitan area. Residents and visitors can enjoy fishing at Lewis Smith Lake and Walker County Lake, along with various parks and green spaces offering walking trails, kayaking, biking, and camping. The community maintains a friendly atmosphere, with many residents owning their homes.
Life in Walker County often appeals to families and retirees, with a significant portion of residents owning their homes. The local economy, historically reliant on coal, has been diversifying. Recent efforts have focused on attracting industrial investment, particularly in sectors like automotive supply, wood products, metal fabrication, defense, technology, and transportation. Educational institutions, including Walker County Schools and Bevill State Community College, contribute to workforce development. The county also provides a public transportation system with demand-response services.
Below national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 4.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Helios (Solar Farms)
Ingka Investments
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Gorgas Battery Facility (Utility-Scale Battery Storage System)
Alabama Power
|
$150M | Under Construction |
|
Heman Drummond Center for Innovation
Walker Area Community Foundation (transferring to Walker County School System)
|
$80M | Under Construction |
|
Heritage Industrial Park
Walker County Economic & Industrial Development Authority
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Heiche Surface Technologies Facility
Heiche Surface Technologies
|
$25M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Walker County has a Boom Town Index score of 11/100, ranking #883 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.3% and a median household income of $52,987, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Walker County is $124,100 with median rent at $698/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.427, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.3%. Home values changed -2.9% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.53% of Walker County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.