Enterprise
RANK #652 / 996 NAT · #19 / 27 AL · POP 53,559
1YR FORECAST: -0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +20%
Coffee County, Alabama, in the southeastern part of the state, is perhaps best known for Enterprise, home to the Boll Weevil Monument, which commemorates the insect's role in encouraging agricultural diversification from cotton to peanuts. The county has two seats, Elba and Enterprise. Coffee County is part of the larger Wiregrass region and is located about 90 miles south of Montgomery. Commuting within Enterprise is supported by the Wiregrass Transit Authority, offering demand-response public transportation. Outdoor recreation opportunities include Coffee County Lake for fishing and the Pea River for kayaking and canoeing.
Life in Coffee County often revolves around its communities, with Enterprise being the largest city. The area attracts families and individuals seeking a quieter lifestyle. The local economy is significantly influenced by Fort Novosel (formerly Fort Rucker), a U.S. Army post that is a major employer and the primary training location for Army aviators, contributing billions in economic impact to the region. Beyond the military presence, the county's economy also includes aircraft maintenance, poultry supply, and automotive manufacturing. The Coffee County School System serves students across several towns, including Elba, Enterprise, Kinston, and New Brockton.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 4.8x 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 34/100, Coffee County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $62,199 combined with job growth of +2.8% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
By national standards, Coffee County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $162,200, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $921/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Coffee County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.0% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.8% clip. Home values shifted -1.7% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.72% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Coffee County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.