The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 36528 sells for about $549,900, or $469 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.5% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 31 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,844 a month.
ZIP 36528 — Dauphin Island
The Dauphin Island market remains stable, characterized by high-value coastal properties and a strong reliance on the vacation rental economy. While inventory is limited, demand remains consistent among buyers seeking second homes or investment properties, keeping prices elevated despite broader economic headwinds.
This ZIP is ideal for vacation-home buyers, retirees, and investors seeking short-term rental income, though it is less suited for daily commuters due to the distance from major employment hubs.
Median prices moved up 2.5% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 31 days on market with 6.5 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
15% 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 14.3% · poverty 6.6% — a mixed stability 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 7.6%/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 4.7%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
in-migration and out-migration balanced
ZCTA 36528, 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.
Dauphin Island generally experiences low crime rates compared to the broader Mobile metropolitan area, primarily consisting of property-related incidents.
Public schools serving the area are part of the Mobile County Public School System, which maintains a diverse range of performance ratings across its district.
The area faces significant exposure to coastal hazards, including hurricanes, storm surges, and flooding, which necessitates specialized flood insurance coverage.
Economic momentum is driven by tourism, seasonal hospitality, and local maritime industries, with limited large-scale industrial development due to the island's geography.
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.
Commuting to the Mobile employment core requires a drive of approximately 45-60 minutes via the Dauphin Island Bridge and I-10 corridor.
The area is a premier destination for outdoor recreation, featuring extensive public beaches, the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, fishing piers, and local golf facilities.
The rental market is heavily influenced by seasonal demand and short-term vacation rentals, leading to high price volatility and limited long-term inventory.
The local economy is anchored by tourism, hospitality, and the service sector, with strong ties to the broader Mobile County maritime and industrial base.
Transportation is primarily automobile-dependent, with the Dauphin Island Bridge serving as the sole land-based access point to the mainland.
Development is strictly regulated by coastal zoning and environmental protections, limiting large-scale expansion projects.
The Mobile County Revenue Commissioner oversees property assessments, utilizing a standard 10% assessment ratio for residential property.
Parcels are served by the Mobile County Public School System and local municipal utility services.
Property insurance premiums are high due to significant wind and flood risk, with many properties requiring coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program.
Alabama is a non-judicial foreclosure state, allowing for relatively efficient foreclosure processes under power-of-sale clauses.
Alabama follows a 'caveat emptor' (buyer beware) doctrine, though sellers must disclose known material defects in residential property.
Data retrieved from data.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.
A major migratory stopover and nature preserve.
Primary public access point for coastal recreation.
A historic 19th-century fort guarding the entrance to Mobile Bay.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.