RANK #431 / 1001 NAT · #15 / 27 AL · POP 53,053
1YR FORECAST: +0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
Jackson County, Alabama, stands out for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation, particularly its numerous caves, with more per square mile than any other U.S. county. Located in northeastern Alabama, the county seat is Scottsboro. It sits about an hour's drive from Huntsville, Alabama, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, with U.S. Highway 72 providing a four-lane route connecting these cities. The Tennessee River, including Lake Guntersville, flows through the county, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and camping. The area also features hiking trails, such as parts of the Walls of Jericho and the Pinhoti Trail. Life in Jackson County often involves a blend of small-town living with access to larger cities. Many residents own their homes, and the public schools are considered above average. The economy is supported by various sectors, including advanced manufacturing and research and development. There have been recent investments in infrastructure, such as broadband expansion and utility upgrades, alongside new industrial projects.
Jackson County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +0.1% YoY, population +0.4%, wages +5.0%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above 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 Jackson County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Google Data Center
Google
|
$600M | Operating |
|
Jackson County Solar Farm (Hollywood)
TVA (power purchaser)
|
$150M | Planned |
|
Raider Wind Project
NextEra Energy
|
$150M | Proposed |
|
Three Waters Wind Project
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Advanced Displays Distribution Center
Advanced Displays
|
$50M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Jackson County scores 57/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#431). Median household income is $51,908 and job growth is running at -2.2%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Jackson County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $159,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $780/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Jackson County's job market is contracting (-2.2% YoY) while population is roughly stable (+0.4% change). Home values are +0.1% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
Not particularly — 1.56% of Jackson County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.