The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 36518 sells for about $167,600, or $1,264 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 112 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $656 a month.
ZIP 36518 — Chatom
The housing market in 36518 remains stable with low inventory and modest price appreciation consistent with rural Alabama trends. Demand is driven by local residents and those seeking affordable housing, with limited new construction activity. The market is characterized by long days on market and a reliance on single-family home sales.
This ZIP is best suited for families and individuals seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle with a lower cost of living compared to urban centers, and for those who prioritize affordability over proximity to major metropolitan amenities.
Median prices moved up 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 112 days on market with 6.2 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.0% · poverty 12.3% — a stable, low-distress 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 4.6%/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 5.1%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
in-migration and out-migration balanced
ZCTA 36518, Washington 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 Chatom area are generally lower than the national average, reflecting a rural community profile with stable, low-level incident reporting.
Schools serving the area are part of the Washington County School District, which provides standard public education services for a rural student population.
The area is subject to standard regional risks including severe thunderstorms and occasional tropical weather impacts, with flood risk varying by specific parcel elevation.
Economic momentum is driven by local industry and administrative roles in the county seat, with limited large-scale commercial development currently underway.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. 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.
Residents primarily rely on personal vehicles for commuting, with travel times varying significantly due to the rural geography and distance to larger employment hubs.
Local recreation is centered on outdoor activities, including access to regional parks, hunting, and fishing opportunities typical of southwest Alabama.
The rental market is characterized by limited inventory and stable demand, primarily serving local workers and families seeking affordable housing options.
The local economy is anchored by government, education, and regional agricultural and forestry industries.
Transportation is heavily reliant on private vehicle use, with no significant public transit infrastructure serving the rural geography.
Development is currently focused on small-scale residential and commercial maintenance rather than major new infrastructure projects.
The Washington County appraisal district conducts periodic assessments to determine property values for tax purposes.
Parcels are subject to county-level property taxes and the Washington County School District levy.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by regional weather risks, including wind and storm exposure common to the Gulf Coast region.
Alabama is a non-judicial foreclosure state, allowing for relatively efficient processes for lenders in the event of default.
Alabama operates under a caveat emptor (buyer beware) doctrine, placing the burden of property inspection primarily on the buyer.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
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.
Local green space providing recreational facilities for residents.
Historic anchor for the county seat and local administrative hub.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.