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Lee County, AL

RANK #154 / 996  ·  POP 175,126  ·  AL

PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.4%

Lee County is surging. People are flooding in and the economy is keeping pace.

[01] Why Lee County?

Lee County, Alabama, is often recognized for Auburn, a city that blends a dynamic university atmosphere with a strong community feel. Located in east-central Alabama, near the Georgia border, Lee County offers a blend of urban amenities and natural beauty. The county also provides curb-to-curb public transit services. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore Chewacla State Park, which features a 26-acre lake for fishing, hiking, and biking, or visit the 130-acre Lee County Public Fishing Lake. Life in Lee County appeals to a mix of families, young professionals, and retirees, drawn by its quality of life. The public school systems in the county are well-regarded, particularly Auburn City Schools. The economy benefits from a diverse base, including higher education, healthcare, and manufacturing. Recent economic activity has seen investment in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, biotechnology, and high-tech manufacturing. The presence of Auburn University contributes to job opportunities and a vibrant cultural scene.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
5.5x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+2.4%

Below national median

Home Prices
+4.0%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-0.2

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
11x

Strong rental yield

Housing is fairly valued at 5.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Lee County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
175,126
+1.69% YoY
Median Household Income
$59,288
Median Home Value
$224,400
+3.99% 12mo
Median Rent
$953
Average Annual Pay
$53,394
+5.4% YoY
Employment
66,643
+2.0% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2642
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
4.52%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$375,000
Days on Market
60
Slower market
Months of Supply
4.2
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
98.6%
Near asking price
Sold Above List
15.9%
Listings w/ Price Drops
18.2%
Building Permits (2024)
1,877
Single-Family Permits
1,716

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$991M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Miele Manufacturing Plant
Miele
$400M Under Construction
Auburn City Schools 2035 Facilities Master Plan
Auburn City Schools
$400M Planned
Faith Technologies Manufacturing Project
Faith Technologies Incorporated
$79M Planned
Waste Management Renewable Natural Gas Facility
Waste Management Renewable Energy
$57M Under Construction
Core Scientific Data Center Expansion (AUBix Auburn 1)
Core Scientific
$55M Under Construction

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +2.4% 45 percentile
Population Growth +1.7% 86 percentile
Income Growth +3.7% 1 percentile
Vacancy Rate 2.0% 7 percentile
Home Price Change +4.0% 83 percentile
Rent Growth +6.0% 87 percentile
Price/Rent 11x 76 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lee County, AL a good place to move to?

Lee County has a Boom Town Index score of 85/100, ranking #154 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.0% and a median household income of $59,288, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Lee County affordable?

The median home value in Lee County is $224,400 with median rent at $953/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2642, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Lee County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +1.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.0%. Home values changed +4.0% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Lee County?

Yes — 4.52% of Lee County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

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