RANK #801 / 996 · POP 233,420 · AL
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.6%
Fairhope, a notable town on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, offers a distinctive blend of arts, boutique shops, and scenic bay sunsets, including its iconic Municipal Pier. Baldwin County, Alabama's largest county by area, stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, approximately 30-45 minutes from Mobile. The community offers a mix of coastal living and small-town charm, with 32 miles of white sand beaches and numerous rivers for paddling. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with Gulf State Park providing over 6,000 acres of beaches, trails, and wildlife viewing. Other natural attractions include Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and Graham Creek Nature Preserve, offering opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and birdwatching in diverse ecosystems.
Life in Baldwin County attracts families, retirees, and remote workers, contributing to its status as Alabama's fastest-growing county. The public school system is considered above average for Alabama, with top-ranked elementary and middle schools. Commute options include the Baldwin Regional Area Transit System (BRATS) which offers door-to-door public transit and a vanpooling program in partnership with Commute with Enterprise, aimed at reducing commuter expenses. The economy is driven by tourism, aerospace and defense, manufacturing, and healthcare. Recent economic developments include investments in industrial and logistics sectors, with new facilities and expansions contributing to job growth.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Novelis Aluminum Recycling and Rolling Plant
Novelis
|
$4,100M | Under Construction |
|
South Baldwin Regional Medical Center Expansion
South Baldwin Regional Medical Center
|
$300M | Under Construction |
|
Meta-linked Solar Farms (Stockton I & II)
Silicon Ranch (for Meta Platforms)
|
$260M | Planned |
|
Aldi Regional Headquarters and Distribution Center
Aldi Inc.
|
$100M | Completed |
|
Baldwin Preparatory Academy
Baldwin County Public School System
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Baldwin County Justice System Expansion
Baldwin County Commission
|
$96M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Baldwin County has a Boom Town Index score of 20/100, ranking #801 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.8% and a median household income of $71,039, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Baldwin County is $266,000 with median rent at $1,160/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2671, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +2.8% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.8%. Home values changed -1.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.05% of Baldwin County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.