A census-designated place in Elmore County
Emerald Mountain is a residential community settled in the forested foothills of Central Alabama. The census-designated place offers a mix of suburban homes and country roads away from nearby cities. "It's a beautiful area. Much of it is wooded, hilly and right next to a river. It's picturesque and there's a lot of outdoor recreation," says Trey Sippial, a seasoned broker with River Region Realty Group LLC. "It's close to Montgomery, so it's not too far for those commuting into the city or Maxwell Air Force Base." Locals travel outside the community to work, shop and attend school. Most homes are on the western side, but a few secluded residences branch off main thoroughfares like Rifle Range Road. "There is a planned community called Emerald Mountain that has a golf course. But this broader area is also labeled as the Emerald Mountain," Sippial says.
Buyers find ranch-style house and New Traditional homes
The Emerald Mountain planned development has houses built between the 1990s and the 2020s. Residents inside the subdivision have a mandatory homeowners association. Outside the development are stand-alone houses and secluded properties with private farms. Buyers can find 20th-century ranch styles and more recent New Traditional dwellings. Sippial says home sale prices are well above the rest of the metro area. "It's higher because Emerald Mountain has newer neighborhoods with larger homes and more land," Sippial says. "The location is also a factor. It's somewhat away from everything, but not too far away." Houses generally cost between $220,000 and $450,000.
Students attend schools in Redland and Wetumpka
Elmore County Schools is comprised of several districts; Most Emerald Mountain students attend schools in Redland. Redland Elementary has a Niche rating of A-minus. Niche ranks it as the fourth-best public elementary school in the Montgomery area. Redland Middle, which opened in 2022, accepts children in fifth to eighth grade; the middle school is unrated on Niche. Students in seventh to twelfth grade enroll in Wetumpka High. The B-rated school ranks as the top public high school in Elmore County.
Shopping in EastChase and Wetumpka
A Dollar General sits along Rifle Range Road. Generally, locals leave Emerald Mountain to pick up groceries. Redland Grocery is about 5 miles to the north; there are two Publix Super Markets about 10 miles to the south. "The Shoppes of EastChase is just 10 to 15 miles away. It's one of the largest malls in the region. You can go there for restaurants and shopping," Sippial says. National retailers like Walmart Supercenter and Home Depot are near the shopping hub. "There are two Wind Creek Casinos within 10 to 15 minutes. You can go there for the restaurants. One is on the Montgomery side, and the other is near downtown Wetumpka," Sippial says.
Getting in and out of Emerald Mountain
Rifle Range Road connects to Highway 231, which leads to Wetumpka, which is around 15 miles away. "From Emerald Mountain, it's about 10 minutes to get to Montgomery's city limits. It's another 15 minutes to get into the heart of the city," Sippial says. Commuters heading to Montgomery may take the Emerald Mountain Expressway to avoid the traffic on Highway 231. The Maxwell Air Force Base is roughly 20 miles from the community.
Emerald Mountain Golf Club and city parks nearby
Emerald Mountain Golf Club offers a par 72 golf course and driving range. "Horse stables are close by, and several recreation opportunities are within 15 to 20 minutes [of the community]," Sippial says. Wetumpka has many public green spaces, including Gold Star Park. Hikers can also head to Montgomery, about 12 miles away, to visit Lagoon Park Trail.
Weather trends in Elmore
Elmore County has a history of severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes. These weather systems can result in high winds, which may impact homes. Properties along the creeks and Tallapoosa River, to the south, are at risk of flooding. Residents can stay updated and receive notifications from a mobile application provided by the Elmore County Emergency Management Agency.
Written By
Ashley Kennedy
