Regions
The state has several popular land regions, including the Alabama Black Belt, Wiregrass, Tennessee River Valley, and the River Region surrounding the state capital of Montgomery.
Agriculture in Alabama
Agriculture continues to be Alabama’s top industry for revenue generated in the Yellowhammer State. Agriculture in the state is a $4.7 billion-dollar industry. There are approximately 44,000 farms in the state, covering 8.9 million acres of Alabama. The average size farm comprises 206 acres. Agriculture makes a significant contribution to all 67 counties.
Alabama’s most valuable crops are cotton and soybeans. The state also grows substantial quantities of cattle, poultry, and nurseries. Most of the cropland is found in the northern Alabama area of the state.
Historically known for its cotton harvest, the products that now account for the state’s leading agricultural output are broiler chickens, soybeans, and corn. Alabama is a top 5 producer of broiler chickens alongside Georgia, Arkansas, and North Carolina. Poultry is Alabama’s largest agricultural commodity, leading as the most valuable livestock product, including eggs-layers, with sales valued at $3.1 billion.
Catfish is an essential commodity for the state, and Alabama leads the country in catfish production. Alabama’s aquaculture ranks first in the U.S. with $230.7 million in sales. Known for farm-raised catfish, Alabama boasts 205 catfish farms with sales valued at $219.7 million (USDA, June 2021). Many of these farms are located in the Black Belt Region.
Timberland
Alabama boasts some of the countries’ most productive timberland, and the state has over 23 million acres of timberland within its borders. This figure ranks third in total timberland acreage amongst states. Alabama’s timber industry generates over $27.7 billion in economic output and creates over 120K jobs. Investing in timberland in Alabama, especially in the areas near infrastructure such as lumber mills, is a key strategy for investors and private individuals alike.
Wildlife
Due to the diversity found throughout Alabama; wildlife is abundant within the state on both land and water. A vibrant hunting and fishing culture exists in Alabama, and whitetail deer, turkey, dove, ducks, and hogs are the main quarry pursued. The Black Belt region, in particular, is a destination area for hunters due to the strong whitetail deer genetics found.
For anglers, freshwater and saltwater create a diverse ecosystem for many fish species, including largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, perch, and bluegill. The primary saltwater species include redfish, speckled trout, blacktip shark, and cobia. With over 100 public lakes, 123,000 stream miles, 255,000 freshwater acres, and Gulf Coast access, this makes for diverse fishing opportunities across the state.
Main Rivers
The Tombigbee River, Alabama River, Tennessee River, Chattahoochee River, and the Black Warrior River are the largest rivers in the state. Other rivers such as the Coosa River, Tallapoosa River, Sipsey River, Cahaba River, and Conecuh Rivers are all utilized for many outdoor pursuits.
State Parks
Alabama has 21 state parks and eight national parks.
National Parks
- Horseshoe Bend
- Little River Canyon
- Muscle Shoals
- Natchez Trace
- Russel Cave
- Selma to Montgomery
- Trail of Tears
- Tuskegee institute
Major Lakes
Lake Guntersville, the largest lake in Alabama, is located in Marshall, County Alabama on the Tennessee River 50 miles east of Huntsville, Alabama. The surface area of this lake is approximately 69,100 acres, 35 miles.
Other large lakes include Wheeler Lake and Lake Eufaula, which exceed 113,480 surface area acres.
Some professional bass fishing events are held at these lakes throughout the state.
| State Summary | |
| Nickname | Yellowhammer |
| Neighboring States | Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida |
| Regions | Black Belt, Wiregrass, Gulf Coast, River Region, Tennessee River Valley |
| State Flower | Camellia |
| State Bird | Yellowhammer |
| Big Game | whitetail deer, alligator, wild hogs, coyotes, fox, bobcats |
| Small Game | wild turkey, bobwhite quail, waterfowl, rabbits, squirrel, mourning doves |
| Freshwater Fish | catfish, bream, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill |
| Saltwater Fish | red snapper, triggerfish, yellowfin tuna, speckled trout, flounder, mackerel, redfish |
| Hunting Information | https://www.outdooralabama.com/ |
| Total Acreage | 32.6 million acres |
| Total Public Land Acreage | 871,232 acres |
| Average Annual Rainfall | 56 inches |
| Farmland by Acreage | 8.9 million |
| Woodlands by Acreage | 22.9 million |
| Coastline | 60 miles |
| Conservation Program | www.outdooralabama.com |
| Primary Crops | cotton and soybeans |
| Main Rivers | Alabama River, Tennessee River, Coosa River, Chattahoochee River, Tombigbee River |
| Largest Lake | Guntersville |
| Other Lakes | Wheeler, Eufaula, Pickwick, Martin |
| Major Rivers | Alabama River, Tennessee River, Coosa River, Chattahoochee River, Tombigbee River |
| Other Tributaries | Black Warrior River, Cahaba River, Choctawhatchee River, Conecuh River, Coosa River, Locust Fork, Mulberry Fork, Pea River, Sipsey River, Tallapoosa River |
Our Rural Real Estate Offices
Mossy Oak Properties Alabama began with the goal of becoming a trusted resource for folks looking to buy or sell rural land for sale in AL. Our land brokers and agents understand what people are looking for in rural property because we share the same lifestyle and love for the land as you do. We understand the importance of honor and integrity and that buying or selling land is an emotional and life-changing experience for consumers.
Only Mossy Oak Properties Alabama can provide powerful brand strength, local expertise, quality service, and national exposure that buyers and sellers of Alabama land desire. Whether you want to buy or sell rural real estate, a Mossy Oak Properties land specialist is a must-have on your team.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are land prices like in Alabama and which counties are most affordable?
Alabama land prices vary depending on where you look. According to recent county sales data, Choctaw, Sumter, Marengo, and Perry counties in the Black Belt region consistently offer some of the most affordable rural land in the state, usually selling for $1,500 to $3,000 per acre for timber and hunting ground. These areas have good soil but slow population growth, which keeps prices down. North Alabama counties like Marion, Winston, and Walker offer wooded ridge land at similar prices. Land gets more expensive the closer you get to the Gulf Coast (Baldwin and Mobile counties) or Birmingham (Shelby and Blount counties).
Is Alabama farmland a good investment compared to neighboring states?
Alabama farmland is a solid buy compared to Georgia, Tennessee, or Mississippi for similar soil types. The Black Belt prairie soils in the middle of the state are great for growing crops and grazing cattle, but they sell at a discount compared to the Midwest because the local economy and population are smaller. Timber land in the southern counties has drawn big investors for decades, and regular buyers look for the same things: fast-growing pines, steady local mill markets, and low land costs.
How do Alabama property taxes work for rural landowners?
Alabama has some of the lowest property taxes on rural land in the country. According to the Alabama Department of Revenue, if your land qualifies for the state’s Current Use program, it is taxed based on its use value (like farming or timber) rather than its open market value. This can cut your tax assessment by 50 percent or more. Because holding costs are so low, Alabama is a great place to buy and hold land or grow timber over the long haul.
