The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 36521 sells for about $269,900, or $145 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 84 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,009 a month.
ZIP 36521 — Chunchula
The 36521 housing market is characterized by stable, low-density residential activity with prices reflecting its rural nature. Demand is driven by commuters seeking affordability relative to the Mobile urban core, though the market remains sensitive to broader economic shifts in the region. Inventory levels are moderate, and the market is currently experiencing a period of price stabilization.
This ZIP is best suited for budget-conscious family buyers and those seeking rural living within a commutable distance to Mobile's industrial and logistics hubs.
Median prices moved up 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 84 days on market with 4.2 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
15% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.4% · poverty 12.0% — 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 7.1%/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 5.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net outflow — more people moved out than in
ZCTA 36521, Mobile 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 Chunchula area are generally consistent with rural Mobile County, though specific localized data is not determinable.
Schools serving the area are part of the Mobile County Public School System, which maintains a diverse range of performance ratings across its rural and suburban campuses.
The area is subject to standard Gulf Coast wind and storm risks; property insurance premiums are influenced by regional hurricane exposure.
Economic momentum is largely tied to the broader Mobile industrial corridor, with limited new large-scale commercial development occurring directly within the ZIP.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Alabama) — Current Use Valuation: Allows property to be taxed based on its current use value rather than fair market value, potentially reducing the tax burden. Conversion to a non-qualified use triggers revaluation and potential back-tax liability. State (Alabama) — Class III Residential Property Tax Assessment: Property is assessed at 10% of its fair market value. The tax liability is calculated by multiplying the assessed value by the local millage rate. A standard homestead exemption applies to the 6.5 mill statewide property tax on the first $4,000 of assessed valuation. State (Alabama) — Class 3 Residential Property Tax Assessment: Residential property is classified as Class 3 and assessed at 10 percent of its fair market value. A standard homestead exemption applies to the 6.5 mill statewide property tax on the first $4,000 of assessed valuation. 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.
Residents primarily rely on US Highway 45 for commuting south toward the Mobile employment core, with typical drive times ranging from 25 to 40 minutes.
Recreational opportunities are largely rural, featuring access to local woodlands and proximity to the Mobile River delta for outdoor activities.
The rental market is characterized by a high share of single-family homes, with steady demand from local workers and a moderate vacancy pressure.
The local economy is anchored by the broader Mobile County industrial base, including logistics, manufacturing, and maritime services.
Transportation is heavily dependent on private vehicles, with US Highway 45 serving as the primary arterial corridor.
Development is primarily low-density residential with no major commercial master-planned projects currently under construction.
The Mobile County Revenue Commissioner oversees property assessments, utilizing a 10% assessment rate for residential parcels.
Parcels are subject to Mobile County school district taxes and various local fire district assessments.
Property insurance markets in this region are sensitive to coastal storm risks, often requiring specialized wind-hail coverage.
Alabama is a non-judicial foreclosure state, allowing for relatively efficient lender recovery processes.
Alabama operates under a 'caveat emptor' (buyer beware) doctrine, limiting mandatory seller disclosures for residential real estate.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA 36521 profile.
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.
Extensive wetlands and waterways providing regional outdoor recreation.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.