RANK #234 / 1001 NAT · #7 / 27 AL · POP 90,566
1YR FORECAST: +1.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +21%
Cullman County, Alabama, is known for its strong German heritage, evident in annual events like Oktoberfest and the Christkindlmarkt. Located in north-central Alabama, the county seat, Cullman, sits roughly halfway between Birmingham and Huntsville, with easy access via Interstate 65. This location allows for a commute to larger cities while maintaining a distinct small-town atmosphere. The area offers outdoor recreation, including Smith Lake for boating and fishing, Hurricane Creek Park for hiking, and numerous local parks like Sportsman Lake Park.
Life in Cullman County offers a blend of community and opportunity. The public schools in Cullman County are highly rated, and Wallace State Community College in Hanceville provides local higher education options and workforce training programs. The economy has seen recent growth, with significant investments in new and expanding industries, particularly in the automotive and manufacturing sectors. This economic activity, combined with a lower cost of living and a focus on workforce development, contributes to a stable environment for families and individuals.
Cullman County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +3.4% runs above the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.8x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Cullman County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 76/100, Cullman County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $62,656 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in AL.
Housing in Cullman County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $199,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $908/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Cullman County's population is growing — up +1.2% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.1%). Home values shifted +3.4% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.5% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Cullman County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.