Cherokee County
AL · Pop. 25,224 · Suburban County
Cherokee County sits in Alabama across 554 square miles, home to 25,224 people at 45.5 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $166,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.39%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 233-day growing season, average summer highs of 89°F and average winter lows of 29.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 54.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Floyd Cherokee Medical Center is 6.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 41% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 233-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.39% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $166,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Floyd Cherokee Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 6.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.8% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Broadband reaches only 41% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Cherokee County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Cherokee County?
- Cherokee County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 233-day growing season, average summer highs of 89°F, and average winter lows of 29.6°F. The established crops are cotton, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $166,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.39%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 41% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Floyd Cherokee Medical Center is 6.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Alabama Resources
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LandWatch
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them.
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