RANK #612 / 996 NAT · #18 / 27 AL · POP 413,878
1YR FORECAST: +0.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +21%
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.
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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
At 38/100, Mobile County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $55,352 combined with job growth of +2.3% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Mobile County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $164,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.34, with rents averaging $973/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Mobile County are hiring — job growth of +2.3% — but the population is close to flat (-0.2% YoY). Home values moved -1.8% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
Not particularly — 1.09% of Mobile County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.