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ew homes are being built and sold in Laurelbrooke, east of Fairhope on Alabama State Route 181, as shown on Dec. 5, 2024.
In southern Alabama, most markets are seeing a modest decline in home prices, but Baldwin County stands out. “I don’t see any cooling in Baldwin County,” says Susan Shallow, a realtor from Orange Beach who chairs the county’s real‑estate association. “It may be an anomaly.”
Zillow reports that Alabama’s median home value fell 0.4% since January, a trend last seen in March 2023 and 2012. Mobile’s market has dropped the most, down 1.4% (about $2,700) on average. Washington, Choctaw, and Crenshaw counties have seen declines ranging from 1% to 10%. Baldwin County’s average price fell only 0.2% over the past eight months, while several towns north of the coast have risen: Silverhill +1.2%, Lillian +0.7%, Spanish Fort +0.6%, Fairhope +0.5%, Stapleton +0.5%.
Baldwin County remains a growth engine. With over 8,000 new residents last year—roughly seven to eight people moving in daily—the county has ample space for expansion. Shallow notes that the area around the 3,000‑acre megasite and surrounding towns is experiencing a mix of development. North Baldwin’s average sale price rose 13% from October 2024 to October 2025, with homes averaging $300,000 and selling in under two months. She predicts that the largely rural northern region will see significant activity in the next three to five years, driven by available land near the interstate.
Mobile’s market is shrinking across the board, from lower‑income neighborhoods like Prichard and Mount Vernon to beachfront properties on Dauphin Island. The only bright spots are the upscale Audubon and Country Club areas, where values are up $24,000 and $13,000, respectively.
According to Shallow, the current season is the best time to buy. Waterfront rentals don’t pick up until after March, and residential sales follow a similar pattern. “It’s less popular now than in spring and summer, so buyers can find better deals,” she says, noting the region’s beauty.
Zillow’s Home Value Index underpins the median price estimates. AL.com’s analysis focuses on single‑family homes in the 35th to 65th percentiles for each area.
Rebecca Griesbach, a data reporter at AL.com, covers education and statewide issues. She joined the newsroom in 2021 as a founding member of the Alabama Education Lab and Report for America.
