Top Alabama Counties to Buy Land in 2026: Where to Invest Now

Alabama land is no longer a “quiet market.” Buyers are balancing lifestyle goals (space, privacy, hunting land, waterfront access) with hard-numbers fundamentals like job growth, housing demand, and limited inventory. In 2025, that equation still favors well-located acreage: Alabama’s land prices rose 3.2% year-over-year to an average of $3,409 per acre statewide, according to Alabama AgCredit. Meanwhile, the state’s broader real estate market continues to signal demand—Alabama’s median home sales price hit $245,615 in December 2025 (up 15.9% year-over-year), alongside 5,604 home sales (157 more than the prior year) and $1.56 billion in sold volume (up 20.0%), per the Alabama Association of REALTORS®.

Even with more properties coming to market, buyers are still competing for the right locations. Alabama ended December 2025 with 19,808 active listings—up 7.3% year-over-year—according to the Alabama Association of REALTORS®. And in November 2025, the statewide median sales price was $273,022 (up 5.6% year-over-year) with about a 5.1-month inventory supply, according to the Alabama Center for Real Estate (ACRE). For land buyers, that combination often points to a simple strategy: focus on counties with clear growth tailwinds and multiple exit options (build, subdivide, hold, or sell).

Baldwin County (Gulf Coast growth + high price ceiling)

Located along Alabama’s Gulf Coast and Mobile Bay, Baldwin County consistently draws new residents, second-home buyers, and businesses—factors that tend to support long-term land demand. It’s also one of the most “price-diverse” land markets in the state. In 2025, Baldwin County land prices ranged from $2,940 per acre to as high as $25,093 per acre, according to Alabama AgCredit. That spread reflects everything from rural tracts to highly sought-after coastal and near-coastal parcels.

Why buy land here?

Baldwin works for buyers who want optionality. You can target buildable lots near growing towns, larger recreational acreage farther inland, or parcels positioned for future commercial demand along high-traffic corridors. Because pricing varies so widely, the best opportunities often come from matching the parcel to a realistic use plan (utilities, zoning, flood zones, access, and timeline).

Madison County (Huntsville momentum and high-earning demand)

Madison County, anchored by Huntsville, remains one of Alabama’s most closely watched growth engines thanks to aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, and tech. That growth shows up clearly in housing pricing power: Huntsville’s median sales price was $340,000 in May 2025, according to Matt Curtis Real Estate. Rising home prices often increase interest in “path-of-growth” land on the metro edge—especially where future subdivisions, light industrial, or service retail can follow rooftops.

Why buy land here?

Madison County can reward buyers who track infrastructure, commute patterns, and employment nodes. Look for parcels with practical road frontage, proximity to expanding residential pockets, and feasible utility access. In fast-moving metros, entitlement and site readiness can matter as much as acreage size.

Lee County (Auburn/Opelika expansion and steady demand)

Lee County—built around Auburn University and the Auburn-Opelika corridor—continues to attract residents, employers, and new construction. University-driven markets can be resilient because they combine student housing demand, faculty/staff stability, and consistent local investment in amenities. As Lee grows, land near gateway corridors and outside established neighborhoods often becomes the next logical frontier for residential and mixed-use development.

Why buy land here?

Lee County is a strong fit for buyers who want development-adjacent land without relying on coastal pricing. Focus on parcels that align with how Auburn and Opelika are expanding: access to major roads, proximity to schools and retail, and topography that keeps site costs predictable.

Shelby County (industrial base + Birmingham suburb stability)

Shelby County plays a different role: it’s a logistics and manufacturing heavyweight tied closely to the Birmingham metro’s workforce, highways, and distribution networks. Strong employment concentration can stabilize housing demand and support commercial land value—especially near interchanges and established industrial corridors.

Why buy land here?

For buyers prioritizing stability, Shelby often offers it through diversified employers and sustained suburban demand. Parcels suited for light industrial, storage, and service-commercial uses can perform well when they sit near transportation routes and growing residential rooftops.

Limestone County (Huntsville spillover + buildable land runway)

Limestone County benefits from its proximity to Huntsville while often offering more “room to work” for buyers who want larger parcels, newer subdivisions, or long-term holds. When a nearby metro pushes prices upward, adjacent counties frequently become pressure valves—attracting both residents and employers looking for cost-effective expansion.

Why buy land here?

Limestone can be compelling for residential builders, small developers, and long-hold investors targeting future demand as the Huntsville region expands. Prioritize parcels with clean access, minimal flood risk, and realistic utility extension options.

Prime land potential around Alabama’s major metros

Beyond the five counties above, land near growing Alabama metros can offer strong upside when suburban boundaries move outward. As home prices rise, buyers and builders often look for the next affordable ring—creating demand for raw land that can be improved over time.

Statewide housing numbers support that narrative. In December 2025, Alabama recorded a median home sales price of $245,615 (up 15.9% year-over-year) and 5,604 home sales (157 more than the year prior), according to the Alabama Association of REALTORS®. The same report shows December 2025 sold volume reached $1.56 billion (up 20.0%), and active listings totaled 19,808 (up 7.3%). These indicators matter for land buyers because rising transaction value and stable sales often translate into continued construction and lot absorption—especially near job centers.

At the same time, pricing and supply remain tight enough to keep pressure on buildable lots. In November 2025, Alabama’s statewide median sales price was $273,022 (up 5.6% year-over-year) and inventory supply was about 5.1 months, according to the Alabama Center for Real Estate (ACRE). In markets hovering around this level of supply, well-positioned land tends to stay relevant—particularly when it can serve multiple future uses.

Land around Birmingham: redevelopment and suburban infill angles

Birmingham remains Alabama’s largest metro and continues to evolve through neighborhood reinvestment, infrastructure improvements, and redevelopment. For land buyers, two patterns matter most: (1) suburban infill and estate-lot opportunities in high-demand areas, and (2) value-add plays tied to commercial revitalization and adaptive reuse.

Focus your search on connectivity—commute routes, proximity to employment clusters, and parcels that can realistically be improved without excessive site costs. In a market where statewide prices continue climbing, land that is “easy to develop” can outperform land that is simply “cheap.”

Mobile-area land: port economy, waterfront appeal, and corridor growth

Mobile’s coastal geography and port-driven economy create unique land demand: industrial and logistics uses near transportation routes, plus residential and recreational interest near the bay, rivers, and beaches. Waterfront and water-access parcels can command premiums, but due diligence matters more here than almost anywhere else—especially around flood risk, wetlands, setbacks, and permitting.

Buyers looking at Mobile should track road and bridge investments, neighborhood growth patterns, and where new rooftops are clustering. Those signals often reveal where retail and service-commercial demand will follow.

Land-buying considerations in rural Alabama towns

Alabama’s smaller cities, river towns, and rural communities can offer exceptional value—especially for buyers prioritizing hunting land, timber potential, homesteads, or long-term holds. But rural deals still need a “development reality check.” Before you buy, confirm access, utilities, survey boundaries, mineral rights, and any restrictions tied to floodplains or conservation easements.

• University towns: Areas near campuses often support steady rental demand, but zoning and neighborhood opposition can shape what’s buildable.
• State-capital and government hubs: These markets can be stable and services-driven, making them attractive for conservative land strategies.
• River and lake towns: Water proximity boosts value, but permitting and flood constraints can reduce usable acreage.
• Coastal hamlets: These can offer lifestyle upside and scarcity value—verify insurance implications and building feasibility early.

How to find promising land deals in Alabama

• MLS and land platforms: Use listings to benchmark pricing, but validate “sold comps” whenever possible.
• Local land agents and brokers: Specialists can flag parcels before they hit the broad market and help assess feasibility.
• Public auctions and tax sales: These can create opportunities, but require strict due diligence on redemption rules, title, and liens.
• Estate and off-market sales: Patient negotiation can uncover value—just be prepared for added legal and title work.

Key takeaways: Alabama’s best land counties align price, growth, and exit options

Alabama’s land market in 2025 blends affordability with momentum. Statewide, land averaged $3,409 per acre after a 3.2% year-over-year increase, according to Alabama AgCredit. Housing demand indicators also remain constructive, including a December 2025 median home price of $245,615 (up 15.9%), 5,604 sales, $1.56 billion in sold volume, and 19,808 active listings, per the Alabama Association of REALTORS®. In November 2025, Alabama’s statewide median sales price was $273,022 (up 5.6%) with about 5.1 months of inventory, according to the Alabama Center for Real Estate (ACRE).

For most buyers, the “best county” depends on your plan: coastal upside in Baldwin, metro-driven demand in Madison and Limestone, steady expansion in Lee, or industrial stability in Shelby. The common thread is clear: choose parcels with practical access, realistic utilities, and a location that can support multiple exit strategies as Alabama continues to grow.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does land cost in Alabama in 2025?

In 2025, Alabama land averaged $3,409 per acre after a 3.2% year-over-year increase, according to Alabama AgCredit.

Is Baldwin County expensive for land?

Baldwin County can range from relatively affordable rural acreage to premium coastal-adjacent parcels. In 2025, Baldwin County land prices ranged from $2,940 per acre to as high as $25,093 per acre, according to Alabama AgCredit.

What does Alabama’s housing market say about land demand?

Higher home prices and steady transaction activity often increase interest in buildable lots and development-ready acreage. In December 2025, Alabama’s median home sales price reached $245,615 (up 15.9% year-over-year), with 5,604 home sales and $1.56 billion in sold volume, according to the Alabama Association of REALTORS®.

Is housing inventory improving in Alabama?

Inventory increased year-over-year, but supply remains limited in many submarkets. Alabama ended December 2025 with 19,808 active listings (up 7.3%), according to the Alabama Association of REALTORS®. In November 2025, inventory supply was about 5.1 months, according to the Alabama Center for Real Estate (ACRE).

What’s the price trend in Huntsville (Madison County)?

Huntsville pricing reflects strong demand tied to regional job growth. The Huntsville median sales price was $340,000 in May 2025, according to Matt Curtis Real Estate.