RANK #208 / 1001 NAT · #12 / 27 AL · POP 58,811
1YR FORECAST: +1.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +33%
Russell County, Alabama, is notable for Phenix City, its largest city and county seat, which uniquely observes Eastern Time despite the rest of Alabama being in the Central Time Zone, due to its strong economic ties with Columbus, Georgia, just across the Chattahoochee River. This southeastern Alabama county, part of the Columbus, GA-AL Metropolitan Statistical Area, offers a blend of rural charm and access to urban amenities. Commuting to Columbus, Georgia, is common, with over 54% of Russell County residents working in another state. The Chattahoochee River provides opportunities for outdoor recreation, including a riverwalk in Phenix City.
Life in Russell County offers a quieter pace, with many residents owning their homes. The public schools in Russell County are above average. Recent economic developments in Phenix City include a downtown revitalization plan, aiming for more businesses, residential development, and expanded riverfront access. The county's economy is also influenced by its proximity to Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning), Georgia, and the presence of suppliers for nearby automotive manufacturing companies. Public transit, including the Phenix City Express, offers free fixed-route and on-demand services within Phenix City and connections to Columbus, Georgia.
Russell County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +4.1% runs above the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 14.1x — 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: 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 79/100, Russell County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $51,197 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in AL.
Housing in Russell County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $165,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $939/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Russell County are both close to flat — population -0.1% YoY and jobs -0.7%. Home values shifted +4.1% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.38% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Russell County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.