Yes, with one thing to plan around. Rain is plentiful, about 54 inches a year. The growing season runs about 270 frost-free days, long enough for a spring and a fall garden. NOAA counts two hurricane-strength storms within 50 miles since 1975, so build to the wind code and plan for long outages.
What the land says
Rain
Rain can supply much of a household's water with a large tank. A garden mostly waters itself in normal years.
About 54 inches a year (PRISM, 1991 to 2020 average)
Wells
Typical well depth. Budget for a mid-range well.
The typical well here is about 210 feet deep; a well typically runs $8,000 to $17,000
Growing season
Long enough for a spring and a fall garden.
About 270 frost-free days, USDA zone 9a; last frost about March 4, first about November 29
Sun
Good sun. Size the array and battery bank for winter.
About 5.4 hours of full sun a day, averaged over the year
Flood
Flood zones run along creeks and rivers here. Look up the parcel on FEMA's flood map.
FEMA maps flood zones within a quarter mile across much of the county
Wildfire
Moderate wildfire risk. Keep brush cleared around the house.
U.S. Forest Service wildfire hazard map: Low to Moderate here
Storms
Expect about one hurricane within 50 miles over 30 years. Build to the wind code and keep a week of fuel and water. Strong tornadoes pass through now and then. A safe room is worth pricing.
NOAA: two hurricane-strength storms within 50 miles since 1975; about 3 strong (EF2 or stronger) tornadoes a decade within 25 miles
Terrain
Flat to gentle, easy to build on.
Slopes average about 7%, about 340 feet above sea level
Soil
Good ground for a standard septic system. The county's soil test decides.
Loam, well drained (USDA soil survey). A standard system typically runs $5,000 to $10,000
Road
Paved roads are close by.
Nearest paved road usually within about 0.5 miles (OpenStreetMap)
Check an Alabama parcel, or plan the one you own
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A step-by-step build plan, sizing your solar, water, garden, septic, heat, and buildings.
Is it legal here?
Zoning
Rural land here is often unzoned. Confirm with the county before you build.
Building code
Statewide residential code exists but local counties decide enforcement; many unincorporated areas have no code enforcement.
Rainwater
Collecting it is allowed.
Composting toilets
Allowed.
Water rights
Owners of land along a creek or lake can make reasonable use of its water.
Drilled to about 210 feet, with pump and pressure tank
Septic
$5,000 to $10,000
Standard system
Solar and batteries
$18,000 to $34,000
Sized for a modest household
Road or driveway
$3,000 to $7,000
From the nearest road to a house site
Clearing
$1,000 to $3,000
A house site, solar, and garden
Total
$34,000 to $71,000
Before the house
Before you make an offer on land here
Flood map
Look up the parcel on FEMA's flood map.
Flood zones run along creeks and rivers here. Building in one means flood insurance and extra permits.
Zoning
Confirm with the county whether the parcel is zoned.
Rural land in Alabama is often unzoned.
Soil test
Get a soil test before you count on septic.
The county has to approve the ground before it issues a septic permit.
Nearby counties
17,899 people live in Henry County, about 31.9 per square mile. It ranks tied for 31st of the 67 Alabama counties we scored, and Alabama ranks 3rd of 50 states.