Best counties to live in Alabama

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

Best counties to live in Alabama

What makes a particular county the best? Oftentimes, it's a good mix of opportunities for fun outdoor activities and cultural attractions. Throw in some historical sites, good schools, job opportunities, and affordable housing, and the county will most likely have happy residents.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Alabama using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by a variety of factors including: public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.

Many counties on the list are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or home values. Others are adored for their historic or well-designed value, or devotion to cultural opportunities. Keep reading to see if your county made the list.

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Myself - Nathon Morris // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Lamar County

- Population: 13,885
- Median home value: $80,900 (76% own)
- Median rent: $425 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $38,364

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Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Talladega County

- Population: 80,387
- Median home value: $105,300 (71% own)
- Median rent: $628 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $41,325

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Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Covington County

- Population: 37,200
- Median home value: $97,600 (74% own)
- Median rent: $612 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $42,189

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Canva

#22. Marshall County

- Population: 95,643
- Median home value: $128,800 (70% own)
- Median rent: $649 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $45,983

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Prestinian // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Etowah County

- Population: 102,748
- Median home value: $113,700 (73% own)
- Median rent: $669 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $44,637

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Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Crenshaw County

- Population: 13,844
- Median home value: $81,000 (75% own)
- Median rent: $537 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $43,163

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Dailynetworks // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Colbert County

- Population: 54,771
- Median home value: $120,800 (72% own)
- Median rent: $697 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $48,065

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Chris Pruitt // wikicommons

#18. Montgomery County

- Population: 226,941
- Median home value: $129,800 (58% own)
- Median rent: $884 (42% rent)
- Median household income: $50,124

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Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Dale County

- Population: 49,277
- Median home value: $112,000 (60% own)
- Median rent: $730 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $47,214

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Kreeder13 // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Pike County

- Population: 33,333
- Median home value: $120,000 (62% own)
- Median rent: $669 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $37,446

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Altairisfar // Wikicommons

#15. Mobile County

- Population: 414,114
- Median home value: $130,200 (65% own)
- Median rent: $853 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $47,583

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MPearsallArt // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Morgan County

- Population: 119,213
- Median home value: $137,000 (73% own)
- Median rent: $658 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $52,156

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M Floyd // Flickr

#13. Jefferson County

- Population: 659,680
- Median home value: $159,100 (63% own)
- Median rent: $900 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $53,901

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Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Calhoun County

- Population: 114,618
- Median home value: $118,000 (70% own)
- Median rent: $716 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $47,255

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Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Autauga County

- Population: 55,380
- Median home value: $154,500 (73% own)
- Median rent: $986 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $58,731

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Carol M. Highsmith/Library of Congress // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Houston County

- Population: 104,702
- Median home value: $137,600 (66% own)
- Median rent: $754 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $47,580

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Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Elmore County

- Population: 81,144
- Median home value: $166,600 (73% own)
- Median rent: $892 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $60,891

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Jodybwiki // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Baldwin County

- Population: 212,830
- Median home value: $197,900 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,020 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $58,320

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Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Coffee County

- Population: 51,662
- Median home value: $147,400 (66% own)
- Median rent: $803 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $55,637

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Wayne James // Shutterstock

#6. Lauderdale County

- Population: 92,556
- Median home value: $145,000 (68% own)
- Median rent: $663 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $48,094

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Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Limestone County

- Population: 94,727
- Median home value: $158,800 (78% own)
- Median rent: $691 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $59,686

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Tracy Burroughs Brown // Shutterstock

#4. Tuscaloosa County

- Population: 207,305
- Median home value: $170,400 (64% own)
- Median rent: $846 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $53,326

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Library of Congress

#3. Lee County

- Population: 161,152
- Median home value: $169,300 (62% own)
- Median rent: $856 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $51,463

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Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Shelby County

- Population: 213,432
- Median home value: $211,900 (81% own)
- Median rent: $1,047 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $77,799

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Pixabay

#1. Madison County

- Population: 362,276
- Median home value: $186,100 (67% own)
- Median rent: $857 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $65,449

Best counties to live in Alabama