A growing suburb along the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay
Daphne started as a small farming village along Mobile Bay’s eastern shore in the mid-1800s. As Mobile’s shipping and manufacturing industries expanded in the 1940s, Daphne evolved into a commuter town. Today, it’s one of the fastest-growing cities in Alabama, with a population of just over 30,000, and is the largest city in Baldwin County. “Big companies are looking to build facilities in and around Baldwin County,” says Anne Bodet, a Mobile native and managing broker at Exit Realty Landmark. “Ace Hardware just built its regional center here, and Amazon opened a big manufacturing warehouse across the Bay only a few years ago.” Despite all the recent growth, Daphne still offers “a slow, laid-back pace of life,” says Bodet. Another plus is the low cost of living. “As a whole, Baldwin County is relatively more affordable than most places around the country,” she says.
The city of Daphne, Alabama lies along the Northeastern shore of Mobile Bay.
Ace Hardware just built its regional center in Daphne, as well as some new stores.
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Daphne has "a stable" housing market
Daphne’s housing prices are steady; according to Bodet, “We have a stable market right now that’s not really favoring buyers or sellers.” The median home price in Daphne is about $345,000, less than the national median. “Daphne is actually slightly less expensive than Fairhope and Spanish Fort,” Bodet says of the nearby cities, where the median home price is $460,000 and $370,000, respectively.
One of the city’s most expensive areas is Old Towne Daphne , set along the bay, where the median home price is $780,000. Most homes there were built from the 1970s to the ‘90s, but historic homes here date back to the early 1900s. Suburban subdivisions fan out from the city center. One of the largest neighborhoods is Lake Forest , with around 3,000 single-family homes from the ‘70s to the aughts set along cul-de-sacs and surrounding a community golf course.
Lake Forest is a large well-established Daphne neighborhood with a variety of home styles.
Olde Towne Daphne homes are in keeping with the historic feel of the district.
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Recreation centers around Mobile Bay
Much of the recreation in Daphne is focused on and around Mobile Bay. Multiple parks have bayfront beaches, fishing docks and public boat ramps. Village Point Park Preserve’s boardwalk trail links to the pier at Bayfront Park, where the city has invested over $7 million with plans to open a 2,400-seat amphitheater by the end of 2026. Gator Alley Boardwalk passes through north Daphne and connects to the Eastern Shore Trail, a paved pathway leading to Fairhope. The Daphne Sports Complex operates all kinds of community athletic leagues, from youth football to adult softball. There’s an 18-hole golf course at Daphne Central Park and over a dozen pickleball and tennis courts along Main Street at W.O. Lott Park.
Bayfront Park
Gator Alley Boardwalk is a beautiful nature trail close to the center of town.
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A "vibrant arts scene" along the Eastern Shore
Daphne’s annual events bring the community together, but none is quite as big as Mardi Gras. “We are directly across the bay from the birthplace of Mardi Gras, so that’s a pretty big deal here,” Bodet says. “Daphne has its own Mardi Gras parade, and there are block parties up and down Main Street.” The Eastern Shore also has “a really strong, vibrant arts scene,” she says. Bayfront Park holds a free Sunday Sunset Concert Series throughout the summer, and Olde Towne Daphne hosts the Annual Jubilee Festival of Arts in October.
Daphne’s annual events bring the community together, but none is quite as big as Mardi Gras.
Bayfront Park
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Local businesses in Olde Towne Daphne and national retailers at Jubilee Square
Daphne’s shopping and dining options range from big-box stores and fast-food chains to antique shops and watering holes. Olde Towne Daphne is a hub for local shops, restaurants and longstanding bars, mostly along Main Street. More restaurants are sprinkled between fast food chains along Highway 98. To the north are major retailers and grocery stores. Jubilee Square, north of the city center near Interstate 10, is a shopping center with an AMC movie theater.
The Fresh Market is a favorite grocery option for Daphne residents.
The historical Olde Towne Daphne's shopping and dining is very walkable for residents.
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Baldwin County Schools earn an A-minus on Niche
Daphne is served by Baldwin County Public Schools which earns an overall A-minus on Niche and serves approximately 31,000 students. Daphne High was the first school in the district to be recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School. It offers 11 career and technical pathways and an International Baccalaureate program, along with an award-winning Air Force JROTC program. Daphne is also home to private schools like Bayside Academy, which earns an A on Niche.
Daphne is served by Baldwin County Public Schools which earns an overall A-minus on Niche.
Daphne High School offers many career and technical pathways.
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I-10 offers an easy commute to Downtown Mobile
Daphne sits at the crossroads of three major highways: U.S. Highway 98, Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 90. Via I-10, drivers can reach Mobile in about 10 to 15 miles. The Baldwin Rural Area Transit System partners with Mobile’s Wave Transit System to operate Baylinc, a fixed bus route for commuters. A new international airport is currently under construction at the Brookley Aeroplex in Downtown Mobile. It’s scheduled for completion in March 2026, but for now, Mobile Regional Airport offers direct flights to five major U.S. cities.
Climate and Crime in Daphne
Summers in Daphne are long and humid, while winters are short and mild. As with anywhere on the Gulf Coast, Daphne is prone to hurricanes. However, its position on a high bluff makes it less likely to flood. Crime statistics for Daphne are not readily available.
Written By
Ryan Horton
Photography Contributed By
Gabrielle Mazur
Video By
Adam Barkley
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