RANK #296 / 1001 NAT · #9 / 27 AL · POP 181,134
1YR FORECAST: +2.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +20%
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.
Lee County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +4.4% YoY, population +1.9%, wages +4.7%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 12.4x — 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 Lee County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
| 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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 70/100, Lee County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +2.5%, and median household income stands at $65,824 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in AL.
Housing in Lee County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $262,200 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.25, with rents averaging $1,058/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Lee County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.9% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.5% clip — and home values reflect that momentum, rising +4.4% over the past 12 months.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.47% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Lee County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.