Fairhope

Called "The Jewel of Baldwin County" and listed as one of the top ten retirement spots by a national publication for senior citizens, Fairhope lies approximately eight miles south of Daphne on Mobile Bay.

A Village atmosphere of shops and local cuisine overlooks a sweeping expanse of Mobile Bay. More bustling shopping centers lie on the east side of town.

Fairhope has the distinction of being founded on an ethical idea by a group of people in Des Moines, Iowa. Formerly just a sparsely-populated land of trees and fields bordered by the bay, several adherents of philosopher Henry George's single tax theory settled on the site to begin a utopian colony.

The 1920's through the 1940's saw Fairhope growing as a Mecca for writers. The city began its annual arts and crafts festival in the early 1950's, which attracted artists and craftsmen to its shores. Many of them stayed, adding to the creative atmosphere found in Fairhope.

COMMUNITY PROFILE

City Name: Fairhope

Population: 23,989

County Name: Baldwin

LOCATION AND TRANSPORTATION

Commercial Airline : yes

Nearest Regional Airport: Mobile

    Distance to: 38 mi.

Interstate Highways : yes

    If no, then distance to interstate highways:

Four Lane Highways : US 90, 98, and 31

State Highways : AL 225, 181 and 104

Distance to...

    Atlanta: 345 Mi.

    Birmingham: 266 Mi.

    Mobile: 19 Mi.

    Nashville: 448 Mi.

    Nearest Coastal City (Name/Distance): Gulf Shores...40 Mi.

Public Transportation : yes

LOCAL TAXES

Property Taxes on $100,000 Home with Homestead Exemption:

Total Millage Rate: 43 Mills

Sales Tax (Total): 4%

Automobile Tax & Tag: $24 and $25 (Tax varies according to value.)

HOUSING COSTS

Approximate cost of 1,800 sq.ft. home with two car garage - 5 to 10 yrs old: $142,000.00

Approximate cost of 1,800 sq.ft. home with two car garage - new: $176,323.00

UTILITIES/SERVICES

Public Water : yes

    Cost per 1000 gallons: $8.5

Public Sewer : yes

    If yes, Approximate percent of community with sewage service: 95%

    Cost of Sewage Service: 100% water bill

Electricity, Cost per 1000kwh: $8.50 + 4% tax

Garbage Service Cost: $7.80

    Number of Pick ups per Week: 2

Cost for Basic Cable TV Service: Broadcast Basic: $17.95 Family Cable: $47.95

    Number of Channels: 14; 66 Channels

    Percent of community coverage: 100%

HEALTH CARE

Number of Physicians...

City: 103 consulting; 127 active

Number of hospital Beds...

City: 150

Nursing Home Facilities: 5

Assisted Living Facilities: 8

Regional Health Care Center : yes

MILITARY POSTS

Military Posts : no

LIBRARY

Public Library : yes

RELIGION

Places of Worship: 103 along Eastern Shore

Denominations: 28

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Post/Secondary Institutions : yes

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