If the glamour of southern charm and state-of-the-art amenities enchanted your mind, it may be the right time to consider relocating to Dothan, Alabama.
A progressive city with affordable housing, extraordinary weather circumstances, top-notch outer recreations with golf courses, and lower property taxes await you to offer a comfortable blend of nature, history, culture, work, and entertainment.
As Alabama’s “Peanut capital of the world,” Dothan prides a rich horticultural heritage, serving as a provincial hub for business, retail trade, manufacturing, healthcare, food services, and accommodation in Alabama’s Wiregrass region.
In this blog post, let’s embark on a great move to Dothan, Alabama, and discover why it is a great place to call home.
Population & Diversity of Dothan, AL
Dothan sits in Houston County, in the southeastern Alabama region.
With a population of 73,144, Dothan is the eighth most populous city in the state.
The population of Dothan, AL comprises:
- A male-female ratio of 47.86% male and 52.14% female.
- The Poverty rate of Dothan is 18.23%
- The population diversity score is about 83 out of 100.
- The city has a median age of 40 years.
- The most spoken languages in Dothan are English and Spanish.
Dothan Alabama is divided into several racial groups, which are as follows:
- White (Non-Hispanic)-59.7%
- Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)- 34.5%
- Asian (Non-Hispanic)-1.34%
- White (Hispanic)-2.43%
- Other races-2.08%
Is Dothan, AL, safe?
The higher crime rate of Dothan, Alabama, is one of the most significant drawbacks in the city. Below are a few crime and safety stats for Dothan, Alabama.
- Dothan has a violent and property crime of 38% and 60% higher than the US average.
- This shows that you will likely become a victim of violent and property crime of 1 in 1047 and 1 in 257, respectively, in Dothan.
- The city’s communities have an 82% lower crime rate than other cities in Alabama.
- Burglary, vehicle theft, and robbery are a few common crimes that happen in Dothan.
The Dothan, AL Crime rate in comparison with the state and national average, on a scale of 1 to 100, are mentioned as follows:
| Crime type | Dothan | Alabama | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime | 37.2 | 26.8 | 22.7 |
| Property crime | 52.8 | 43 | 35.4 |
Source: https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/112243NCJRS.pdf
While crime scenes can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, here are the safest communities in Dothan, AL.
- Kelly Springs
- Brannon Stand
- Green Acres
- Ardilla
- Dothan West
- Dothan Northwest
- Spring Valley Acres / Taylor
- Rehobeth / Madrid
Cost of Living in Dothan, AL
Living a healthy lifestyle in Dothan becomes easier because of its 11% affordable cost of living and 49.3% lower real estate prices. But its cost of living exceeds the state’s average by 5%.
To lead a comfortable life in Dothan, an average annual income of $34,478 for a single person and $44,000 for a family is recommended.
The average cost of living in Dothan is $1627 per month and $5,500 per month for a single person and a family, respectively, including rent.
The table below describes the cost of living in Auburn AL in comparison with the state and the national average:
| Category | Dothan | Alabama | US average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 89 | 84.1 | 100 |
| Food and groceries | 96 | 94.4 | 100 |
| Healthcare | 118.9 | 118.9 | 100 |
| Housing | 50.6 | 56.6 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96.6 | 101.2 | 100 |
| Transportation | 79.1 | 85.9 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 78 | 71 | 100 |
Source: https://edpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Alabamas-Quality-of-Life-1.pdf
Job Market in Dothan, AL
Living in Dothan, AL, is financially sound due to the positive job growth of 3.2% over the last few years. We’ve compiled a simple summary of the job market in Dothan using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Alabama.
- The median salary of Dothan AL is $43,000 per annum, less than the US average of $74,580.
- The gross minimum wage in Dothan is $19.0 per hour, less than the US average of $27.77 per hour.
- The unemployment rate in Dothan is 2.60%. The US average is 3.9%.
- Dothan is expected to see a 29.7% increase in jobs over the next few decades.
Top Employers In Dothan, AL
- Southeast Health
- Flowers Hospital
- Dothan City Schools
- Farley Nuclear Plant
- Michelin North America
- The Southern Company
- Walmart
- Publix Super Markets
- Troy University
- Wallace Community College
Most common job titles in Dothan, AL
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Sales Associate
- Cashier
- Customer Service Representative
- Manager
- Administrative Assistant
- Teacher
- Truck Driver
Highest-paying jobs in Dothan, AL are:
- General Surgeon
- Loan Officer
- Telemetry Registered Nurse
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Psychiatrist
- Pediatrician
- Orthodontist
- Obstetrician and Gynecologist
- Family Medicine Physician
- Internal Medicine Physician
Tax rates in Dothan, AL
Dothan has relatively lower tax rates than many neighboring cities in Alabama. Below are the exact numbers regarding the tax rates in Dothan.
- Sales tax- 10% (A combination of 4% State Sales Tax, 4% City Sales Tax, and 2% Houston County Sales Tax), US average – 4.6%
- Income Tax-2%-5%, US average – 7.3%
- Property Tax- $.50 per $100 asserted value, US average – 1.11%.
- Lodging tax 13%
Housing market in Dothan, AL
Relocating to Dothan, AL, could mean buying a property and stretching your dollars because it has one of the most competitive real-estate housing markets, with a score of 58 out of 100.
Here, we have compiled the key metrics of the Dothan, Alabama housing market, according to the Department Of Planning And Development, Dothan.
- The median housing price in Dothan is around $250,000, or $125 per sq. ft.
- The median rent of properties in Dothan is $1450 per month.
- The city’s home values have increased by 4.6% over the past year and are projected to grow by 23% year-on-year.
- New homes in Dothan get sold within 27 days of staying on the market.
The table below compares Dothan’s housing and rental market with the U.S. average.
| Housing costs | Dothan, AL | US |
|---|---|---|
| Median home cost | $190,000 | $338,100 |
| Rental cost of a studio | $650 | $1080 |
| Rental cost of 1 bedroom | $760 | $1180 |
| Rental cost of 2 bedroom | $890 | $1430 |
| Rental cost of 3 bedroom | $1050 | $1860 |
Source: https://www.fhfa.gov/DataTools/Downloads/Documents/HPI/HPI_AT_Tables.pdf
Top neighborhoods in Dothan, AL
The best places to live in Dothan, Alabama, based on the lowest number of crimes per 100k people, are
- Chapelwood
- Highlands South
- Rehobeth
- Cowarts
- Midland City
Education system in Dothan, AL
Dothan, is home to 36 schools, including 22 public and 14 private schools, overviewed by the Alabama State Board of Education.
These schools have a total enrollment of over 8130 students, with a teacher-student ratio 1:21.
According to SchoolDigger, the public schools of Dothan rank 159th out of 371 high schools in Alabama.
Top-rated schools in Dothan, AL
- Carver School of Mathematics Science and Technology
- Highlands Elementary School
- Rehobeth High School
- Heard Elementary School
- Hidden Lake Elementary School
- Selma Street Elementary School
- Kelly Springs Elementary School
- Morris Slingluff Elementary School
- Beverlye Magnet School
- Dothan Preparatory Academy
Public Transportation in Dothan, AL
Dothan has limited public transportation services. No traffic jams, great commute routes, and well-planned road networks exist in the city.
The city has an average commute time of 18.5 minutes on the road, less than the US average of 26 minutes.
- Wiregrass Transit Authority- Affordable, scheduled transportation services for everyone around the city.
- Wiregrass transportation- Provide scheduled and advance-paid round trips from colleges and universities to back home.
- Findhelp.org- Provides public rides within the city and counties at a rate ranging from $2-$8.
- Rail and water transportation: Rail services by CSX, Ohio, Bayline Railroad, Gulf and Chattahoochee River waterway.
- Private transportation options: This includes triple a cab, quick run services, Steff’s Cabbie, Wiregrass Safe, and Dothan Taxi and transport.
Weather and climate in Dothan, AL,
Dothan, Alabama, has a humid subtropical climate with severe summers and mild winters. Over the entire year, the average temperature ranges from 42°F to 91°F, which sometimes reduces below 28°F or rises above 96°F.
Check out the compiled weather statistics of Dothan, AL, using the data from Weather Spark.
- From May to September, July is the hottest month in Alabama, with average temperatures ranging between 71°F to 80°F.
- January is the coldest month, from December to February, with average high-low temperatures ranging between 66°F to 42°F.
- June, July, and August are considered the most unfavorable times to visit Dothan, where the average summer temperature might exceed 91°F.
- The best time to visit Dothan, Alabama, is during the winter since it doesn’t get much snow.
- The city receives an annual rainfall of 40 inches, 68-75% of humidity, and 0 inches of snowfall every year.
The table below depicts the average temperature in Dothan by month.
| Month | High/Low Temperature (°F) | Precipitation (inches) | Humidity (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 61/42 | 5.1 | 70 |
| February | 65/45 | 5.3 | 68 |
| March | 72/51 | 6.1 | 68 |
| April | 79/58 | 4.6 | 68 |
| May | 86/66 | 4.5 | 70 |
| June | 91/72 | 5.6 | 73 |
| July | 92/74 | 6.3 | 75 |
| August | 92/73 | 4.7 | 75 |
| September | 88/68 | 3.7 | 72 |
| October | 80/56 | 2.7 | 68 |
| November | 71/47 | 3.9 | 68 |
| December | 64/42 | 4.9 | 69 |
Source: Climate-Data.org
Things to Do in Dothan, AL:
Listing out the the top things to do and see in Dothan, AL, from natural spots to sports hubs and entertainment centers to gaming zones.
- Visit the Wiregrass Museum of Art, Farley Nuclear Plant Energy Education Center, and GW Carver Interpretive Museum to learn and watch exhibitions.
- Visit Lake Tholocco, Lake Emerald, and Eufaula, one of the best lakes in Alabama, to enjoy water activities and ducks and geese-watching.
- New Visions MarketPlace will fulfill all your marketing needs in one place.
- Appealing dining spots like Basket Of Cheer Fine Wine & Spirit and Folklore Brewing & Meadery will not let you go with an empty belly.
- Axtion Air Jump & Sports Trampoline Park and Fun Zone Skate Center are there for kids, teens, and adults.
- Air Mega Park is one of the favorite destinations for all age groups.
- Expose your soul to nature by visiting Dothan Area Botanical Gardens.
- Go for a day trip with your family to the Adventureland theme park.
- Beat the sun at the Water World.
- Don’t miss the National Peanut Festival that falls every fall.
Pros and Cons of Living in Dothan, AL
Moving to Dothan AL as a newcomer becomes easier if you learn the downsides of the city beforehand along with its benefits.
So, here’s a list of the pros and cons of living in Dothan, Alabama
| Pros of Living in Dothan, AL | Cons of Living in Dothan, AL |
|---|---|
| Low cost of living | High sales taxes |
| Good community and sports facilities | Wet weather |
| Diverse population | High tornado risk |
| Good for settling down | Limited entertainment and nightlife options |
| Growing town | Limited healthy restaurants |
Final Verdict
If you move to Alabama you will get to know what makes the peanut capital of the world an appealing place to live! A booming peanut industry, lower real-estate prices, a wide array of educational education, a relatively lower cost of living, and many things to explore.
While moving can be daunting, it seems seamless if you follow our guide before making a move. Hopefully, this blog post creates excitement about the thought of you living here!
Image Credits: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons