Athens
RANK #713 / 996 NAT · #22 / 27 AL · POP 104,199
1YR FORECAST: +0.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
Mooresville, Alabama, a town older than the state itself, offers a glimpse into the past with its well-preserved antebellum homes and the oldest continuously operating post office in Alabama. Limestone County, where Mooresville is located, sits in northern Alabama, west of Huntsville. Commuting to Huntsville is common, with major corridors like I-65 and I-565 providing access. The community blends rural living with access to urban amenities. The Elk River and Tennessee River border the county, offering opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing.
Limestone County has been Alabama's fastest-growing county for seven consecutive years. This growth is fueled by families and professionals seeking more space and a strong community, often commuting to nearby Huntsville for work. The economy benefits from investments in manufacturing, aerospace, and bioscience industries. The public school system in Limestone County is above average, and the county also offers vocational programs for high schoolers in STEM industries.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.3x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Eli Lilly and Company Advanced Manufacturing Facility
Eli Lilly and Company
|
$6,000M | Under Construction |
|
Carpenter Technology Specialty Metals Expansion
Carpenter Technology
|
$354M | Planned |
|
Cast Products Aluminum Foundry Expansion
Cast Products
|
$74M | Planned |
|
Athenian Sky Solar Farm
Athenian Sky Solar, LLC (Duke Energy)
|
$55M | Planned |
|
Amazon XL Fulfillment Center
Amazon
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant License Extension
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
|
— | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 28/100, Limestone County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $80,146 combined with job growth of +4.9% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Limestone County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $229,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.35, with rents averaging $861/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Limestone County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +3.0% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +4.9% clip. Home values shifted +0.8% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.57% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Limestone County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.