RANK #53 / 1001 NAT · #6 / 27 AL · POP 108,140
1YR FORECAST: +1.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +38%
Houston County, Alabama, is often recognized as the "Peanut Capital of the World," a nod to its significant agricultural roots and the annual National Peanut Festival held in Dothan, the county seat. Located in the southeastern corner of Alabama, the county sits near the borders of both Florida and Georgia. Dothan, the largest city, serves as a regional hub. Commutes within Houston County are generally short, with an average travel time of around 22 minutes. The community offers a blend of rural charm and urban conveniences, with a strong sense of local pride. Outdoor recreation opportunities include parks like Omussee Creek Park, which offers hiking trails and water access, and the Dothan Area Botanical Gardens.
Life in Houston County appeals to families and young professionals, with a majority of residents owning their homes. The public school system is considered above average, and the Houston County Career Academy provides vocational training options. The local economy is diverse, with significant employment in healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. Recent economic developments include investments in temperature-controlled warehousing and distribution, as well as projects focused on agricultural technology and public safety training.
Houston County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +2.6% YoY, population +0.5%, wages +5.4%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.8x 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.
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: 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Dothan Solar Project
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$105M | Planned |
|
Wiregrass Innovation Center
City of Dothan
|
$30M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Houston County ranks #53 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 95/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +0.8% and a median household income of $58,626 point to a county with active economic momentum.
Housing in Houston County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $183,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $945/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Houston County are both close to flat — population +0.5% YoY and jobs +0.8%. Home values shifted +2.6% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.15% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Houston County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.