Foley
RANK #742 / 996 NAT · #23 / 27 AL · POP 233,420
1YR FORECAST: -0.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +17%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
At 25/100, Baldwin County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $71,039 combined with job growth of +2.8% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Baldwin County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $266,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $1,160/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Baldwin County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.8% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.8% clip. Home values shifted -1.0% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.05% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Baldwin County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.