RANK #663 / 1001 NAT · #26 / 27 AL · POP 667,755
1YR FORECAST: -1.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
Jefferson County, Alabama, stands out for its blend of urban amenities and natural beauty, with Birmingham at its heart. The city is known for its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, marked by sites like the 16th Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park. Beyond its historical significance, the county offers extensive outdoor recreation, including the Red Rock Trail System, which features over 160 miles of trails and greenways for hiking and biking across six major corridors. Commutes to downtown Birmingham average around 22 minutes, though most residents rely on private vehicles. Notable towns like Homewood, Vestavia Hills, and Mountain Brook are recognized for their schools and residential appeal.
Life in Jefferson County balances a relaxed pace with active community engagement. The area attracts families, young professionals, and retirees seeking affordability and a strong sense of community. The economy is driven by diverse sectors, including healthcare, with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) serving as a major anchor for medical research and hospitals. Significant investment has also flowed into manufacturing, logistics, and technology, with new projects and expansions contributing to job growth across these industries.
Jefferson County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.1% YoY, population -0.3%, wages +4.8%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.8x 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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Marvel Data Center Campus
Logistic Land Investments LLC
|
$14,500M | Permitted |
|
J.M. Smucker Co. Manufacturing Facility
J.M. Smucker Co.
|
$1,100M | Under Construction |
|
Coca-Cola Bottling Company United Headquarters & Distribution Facility
Coca-Cola Bottling Company United
|
$330M | Under Construction |
|
Amazon Fulfillment Center
Amazon
|
$325M | Operating |
|
Wells Fargo Data Center Refresh
Wells Fargo
|
$205M | Completed |
|
Alabama Farm Center
Alabama Exhibition Center Corp.
|
$150M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 33/100, Jefferson County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $66,388 combined with job growth of +0.6% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Jefferson County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $240,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,193/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Jefferson County are both close to flat — population -0.3% YoY and jobs +0.6%. Home values shifted +1.1% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.32% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Jefferson County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.