RANK #616 / 1001 NAT · #22 / 27 AL · POP 226,718
1YR FORECAST: +0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +16%
Montgomery County, Alabama, is perhaps best known as the home of the state capital, Montgomery, a city deeply intertwined with pivotal moments in American history, particularly the Civil Rights Movement. Landmarks like the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church and the Rosa Parks Library and Museum draw visitors interested in this heritage. Situated along the Alabama River on the Gulf Coastal Plain, the county offers a blend of urban and natural settings. Atlanta, Georgia, is the closest major city over 500,000 people. The community offers numerous parks and opportunities for outdoor recreation, including walking trails and cultural parks. Life in Montgomery County offers a balance of affordability and community focus. The cost of living is lower than the national average, particularly for housing. The county's economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, automotive supply chains, data infrastructure, and logistics. This economic activity contributes to a job market with opportunities in government, healthcare, and manufacturing. Montgomery Public Schools serves the county, with magnet programs available. The area is characterized by a mix of families and young professionals, with a community spirit often described as welcoming.
Montgomery County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +2.1% runs above the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 4.6x 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 Montgomery County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Meta Data Center Campus Expansion
Meta
|
$1,500M | Under Construction |
|
Black Bear Solar Energy Project
Lightsource BP / Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA)
|
$125M | Operating |
|
Montgomery Inland Port
Port of Alabama
|
$94M | Under Construction |
|
DAS North America Expansion
DAS North America
|
$78M | Under Construction |
|
Montgomery Whitewater Park (Future Plans)
Montgomery Whitewater
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 38/100, Montgomery County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $59,386 combined with job growth of -0.6% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Montgomery County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $171,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.35, with rents averaging $1,092/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Montgomery County are both close to flat — population -0.2% YoY and jobs -0.6%. Home values shifted +2.1% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.31% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Montgomery County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.