The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 35612 sells for about $335,000, or $159 per square foot.
Prices are up +4.7% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 105 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,800 a month.
ZIP 35612 — Anderson
The Athens housing market is showing resilience with steady year-over-year price appreciation and increased sales volume. While days on market have lengthened, the market remains balanced, supported by regional economic growth and demand from the Huntsville metro area.
This area is ideal for families and commuters working in the Huntsville metro area who seek a balance of suburban affordability and access to regional employment hubs.
Median prices moved up 4.7% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 105 days on market with 1.0 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.2% · poverty 9.8% — 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 8.2%/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 6.9%/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 35612, Limestone County AL
Crime rates in Athens are generally considered lower than the national average, with property crime being the primary concern. The area remains relatively stable compared to larger regional urban centers.
Schools in the area are primarily served by the Athens City and Limestone County school systems, which maintain moderate to high performance ratings within the state.
The region is subject to standard Alabama weather risks, including severe thunderstorms and occasional tornado activity, necessitating standard homeowner insurance coverage for wind and hail.
Economic momentum is driven by the proximity to the Huntsville/Redstone Arsenal employment hub and local manufacturing expansions in Limestone County.
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 commute via I-65 and US-72, with most employment-bound traffic flowing toward the Huntsville/Research Park area.
The area features access to the Swan Creek Greenway, local golf courses, and proximity to Wheeler Lake for water-based recreation.
The rental market is experiencing steady demand driven by regional job growth, with vacancy rates remaining low and rents showing consistent upward pressure.
The economy is anchored by manufacturing, logistics, and the spillover effects of the aerospace and defense industries in neighboring Huntsville.
Transportation is heavily reliant on private vehicles, with I-65 serving as the primary north-south corridor for regional connectivity.
Development is focused on residential subdivisions and commercial retail expansion along the US-72 corridor.
The Limestone County Revenue Commissioner manages property assessments, typically reassessing properties periodically to reflect market value changes.
Parcels may be subject to specific municipal taxes and school district levies depending on their location within or outside the Athens city limits.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by regional severe weather risks, with standard coverage typically including wind and hail protection.
Data retrieved from census.gov 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.
Popular walking and biking trail system.
Major regional reservoir for boating and fishing.
Primary facility for local youth and adult athletics.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.