RANK #634 / 996 · POP 413,878 · AL
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.3%
With a history predating Alabama's statehood, Mobile County offers a distinctive blend of Southern charm and coastal living. The county seat, Mobile, is known as the birthplace of Mardi Gras in America, a tradition still celebrated with parades and festivities. Located in the southwestern corner of Alabama, Mobile County sits at the head of Mobile Bay, providing access to the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, one of the largest river deltas in the country. This natural setting allows for extensive outdoor recreation, including kayaking, fishing, and exploring numerous parks like Chickasabogue Park with its miles of trails. Public transportation options like The Wave Transit System and a new shared ride service called MoGo are also available. Life in Mobile County appeals to families and young professionals, with public schools generally performing above average. The Mobile County Public School System is Alabama's largest, serving over 53,000 students across 90 schools, and includes magnet schools and specialized academies. The economy is experiencing growth, driven by significant investments in sectors such as commercial aviation, shipbuilding, steel production, and international shipping, centered around the Port of Mobile, Alabama's only deepwater port. This economic expansion has led to the creation of new jobs and contributes to a diverse economic base.
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.8x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project
State of Alabama (ALDOT)
|
$2,500M | Proposed |
|
Barry Electric Generating Plant Expansion (Units 8 & 9)
Alabama Power Co.
|
$1,454M | Under Construction |
|
ArcelorMittal Electrical Steel Plant
ArcelorMittal
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
Kimberly-Clark Mobile Manufacturing Facility Expansion
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
|
$130M | Under Construction |
|
Williams Mobile Bay Producer Services Expansion
Williams Mobile Bay Producer Services (Shell Oil venture)
|
$108M | Operating |
|
Mobile County Sportsplex Aquatic Center & Park Initiative
Mobile County Commission
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Mobile County has a Boom Town Index score of 36/100, ranking #634 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.3% and a median household income of $55,352, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Mobile County is $164,600 with median rent at $973/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3363, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.3%. Home values changed -1.8% in the past 12 months.