1st Advantage MortgageLimestone County households have a median income of $83,629 and median rent of $970 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- A quick profile of Limestone County
- Household income in Limestone County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Limestone County
- Employment and commuting in Limestone County
- Places inside Limestone County
- Limestone County next to its neighbors
- Limestone County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Limestone County
- Budget math at the Limestone County median
- Alabama rules that apply in Limestone County
- Four steps for Limestone County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Limestone County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Limestone County's population at 111,233; only 10 of Alabama's 67 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 563 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 197 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Huntsville, AL metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (5 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Athens, with about 29,002 residents, or 26% of the county.
Household income in Limestone County
At $83,629, the typical Limestone County household income is 27% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 3rd among Alabama's 67 county-level areas.
| Household income | Limestone County | vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.9% | -9.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.5% | -0.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.4% | +5.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 12.2% | +4.5 pts |
Some 19% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 41% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 10.0% of Limestone County residents in poverty, against 15.6% across Alabama. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.445 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Limestone County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Rent, home values and ownership in Limestone County
Renters in Limestone County pay a median of $970 a month, 4% below the Alabama figure of $1,007. By the Census definition, 41% of Limestone County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $281,000, or 3.4 years of median income. 78% of Limestone County households own their home and 22% rent.
| Home costs | Limestone County | Alabama | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $970/mo | $1,007/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $281,000 | $209,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 9.4% | 12.3% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Employment and commuting in Limestone County
By the Census industry count, 18% of employed Limestone County residents work in manufacturing and 18% in education and health care. Professional and administrative services stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 10% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.3% in Limestone County. 13% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 11% work from home. Only 3.5% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Limestone County share | +/- vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 17.8% | +3.7 pts |
| Education and health care | 17.6% | -5.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 13.9% | +3.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.6% | -1.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.0% | -0.1 pts |
| Construction | 7.8% | +0.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Places inside Limestone County
5 Census places fall mainly inside Limestone County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 30,912 residents, leaving about 72% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. None of the 5 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | city | 29,002 | $69,922 | $899 | 3 mi |
| Ardmore | town | 1,384 | $50,352 | $714 | 15 mi |
| Elkmont | town | 264 | $49,750 | $388 | 8 mi |
| Lester | town | 181 | $80,833 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Mooresville | town | 81 | $144,000 | n/a | 14 mi |
Limestone County next to its neighbors
Madison County is closest, 25 miles from center to center; the sixth, Lawrence County, is 37 miles off. Income ranges from $54,706 in Lawrence County to $86,499 in Madison County; 1 of these neighbors top Limestone County's median. The list crosses into Tennessee, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limestone County | - | $83,629 | $970/mo | 78% |
| Madison County, AL | 25 mi | $86,499 | $1,209/mo | 68% |
| Morgan County, AL | 26 mi | $68,845 | $864/mo | 73% |
| Giles County, TN | 27 mi | $62,307 | $862/mo | 73% |
| Lawrence County, AL | 27 mi | $66,071 | $753/mo | 82% |
| Lincoln County, TN | 32 mi | $64,667 | $857/mo | 76% |
| Lawrence County, TN | 37 mi | $54,706 | $763/mo | 78% |
Limestone County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 30% of adults over 25. 7.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Limestone County | Alabama | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.8 | 39.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 30.2% | 28.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.3% | 11.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.8% | 9.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.5% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.1% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.0% | 15.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.3% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 21.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 29.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.3% |
| 60+ min | 4.9% |
Before borrowing in Limestone County
A few patterns in the Limestone County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Strong incomes, long terms. 41% of Limestone County households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Limestone County borrower sees (free reports).
Budget math at the Limestone County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Limestone County's medians:
- $83,629 a year is $6,969 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $970, or 14 cents of every gross dollar
- At 35%, room after rent is $1,469 a month
- With a 45% ceiling, about $2,166 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Limestone County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Alabama rules that apply in Limestone County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Limestone County borrowers answers to the Alabama State Banking Department. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Alabama guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Limestone County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Limestone County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Limestone County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Alabama.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Related local guides
The Alabama guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Limestone County household make?
About $83,629 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 31% above the Alabama median.
How much is rent in Limestone County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $970 a month; 41% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Limestone County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 78% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Limestone County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 5 Census places: Athens, Ardmore, Elkmont, Lester, Mooresville.
Will a Limestone County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Alabama as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.