The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 35461 sells for about $178,000, or $105 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 98 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,138 a month.
ZIP 35461 — Ethelsville
The housing market in 35461 is characterized by low inventory and high owner-occupancy, reflecting a stable, long-term resident base. Price growth remains modest and consistent with broader rural Alabama trends, driven by limited new construction and steady demand for affordable single-family homes.
This ZIP is best suited for families and individuals seeking affordable, quiet rural living, high homeownership stability, and a slower pace of life away from urban centers.
Median prices moved up 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 98 days on market with 4.2 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
5% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 8.9% · poverty 10.9% — a mixed stability profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.0%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 3.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 35461, Pickens County AL
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in the Ethelsville area are generally low, consistent with rural Pickens County trends and significantly below regional urban averages.
Schools serving the area are part of the Pickens County School District, which provides standard rural educational services with limited specialized programming.
The area is primarily rural with standard wildfire and storm risks typical of West Alabama; flood risk is localized to specific low-lying creek basins.
Economic momentum is modest, driven largely by local trades, agriculture, and proximity to regional employment hubs in Columbus, MS, and Tuscaloosa, AL.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Alabama) — Class 3 Residential Property Tax Assessment: Residential property is classified as Class 3 and assessed at 10 percent of its fair market value. A standard homestead exemption applies to the 6.5 mill statewide property tax on the first $4,000 of assessed valuation. State (Alabama) — Standard State Ad Valorem Homestead Exemption: Exempts up to $4,000 in assessed valuation from the 6.5 mill state ad valorem tax levy (providing a maximum direct state tax reduction of $26.00). Formula: Adjusted State Tax = Max(0, (Assessed Value - $4,000)) × 0.0065. State (Alabama) — Statewide Ad Valorem Property Tax and Class III Residential Assessment Ratio: Establishes a baseline 6.5 statewide millage rate ($0.0065 per dollar of assessed value) under Ala. Code § 40-8-1 and the Alabama Constitution.
Commuting is primarily car-dependent, with residents typically driving 30-45 minutes to reach major employment centers in Columbus, MS, or Tuscaloosa.
Recreation is centered on outdoor activities, including local hunting, fishing, and access to rural green spaces, with limited commercial shopping within the immediate ZIP.
The rental market is thin with low turnover, primarily serving local workers and those seeking affordable rural housing options.
The local economy is anchored by agriculture, forestry, and small-scale trades, with many residents commuting to larger industrial employers in neighboring counties.
Transportation infrastructure is limited to state and county highways; there is no public transit system serving this rural area.
There are no major commercial or residential developments currently approved or under construction within the ZIP code.
The Pickens County Revenue Commissioner handles property assessments, which are generally conservative and based on historical market values.
Parcels are subject to Pickens County school and general fund taxes, with no significant MUD or PID districts present.
Property insurance availability is stable, though premiums are influenced by regional exposure to severe thunderstorm and wind events.
Net domestic migration is stable with a slight trend toward retirees moving into the area for lower costs of living.
Alabama is a non-judicial foreclosure state, allowing for relatively efficient lender recovery processes.
Alabama is a caveat emptor (buyer beware) state, placing the burden of property inspection and due diligence primarily on the buyer.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA-level profiles.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
Provides extensive public land for hunting and outdoor recreation.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.