A community offering retail outlets and a historic downtown on the way to Alabama's beaches, Foley draws folks from across the United States. The city offers a mild climate, a highly rated school system, plenty of retail options and economic growth. "It's the kind of place where tourists come back to live," says Guy Busby, Marketing Communications Manager for the city of Foley; young professionals, families and retirees are making Foley their home. The charming downtown has over 100 restaurants, local shops and artists galleries, while the rest of Foley offers access to trails and beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. City leaders are welcoming new businesses and enhancing parks with the goal of, according to Ralph Hellmich, Foley's Mayor, "increasing the quality of life for our citizens."
Feeling right at home at Stacey's Old Tyme Soda Fountain in downtown Foley.
Historic downtown Foley is full of art galleries and furniture shops to browse.
Foley has so many dining options, like El Paso.
Foley is just minutes from the beach.
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Employment in Foley
Aerospace is a major industry in Foley, with Collins Aerospace, Segers Aerospace and Airbus employing thousands of workers across the Mobile Bay area. Other significant employers include the manufacturing companies in Mobile's riverfront industrial area, Baldwin County Public Schools and South Baldwin Regional Medical Center.
Baldwin Health Medical Center vital to Foley, for locals and those in outlying areas.
Collins Aerospace is a large employer for Foley, AL.
Foley is home to Baldwin County Public School where many locals work.
The Mobile Aeroplex has several major aerospace companies near Venetia.
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Homes are 16% cheaper than the national average in Foley
The median sale price in Foley is $236,900, 16% less than the national average of $281,900. The city's oldest homes, many built in the first half of the 20th century, are concentrated around downtown, with prices ranging between $215,000 and $400,000. These houses are surrounded by late 20th-century to early 21st-century suburbs, with prices ranging from $375,000 to $800,000. Foley's newest construction sits in subdivisions along the city's edges, with prices ranging anywhere between $250,000 and $1 million.
No better place to soak up the Southern sun than Foley, Alabama.
Loving the coastal vibes in Foley, your perfect getaway spot.
Life slows down a little in sweet home Foley, Alabama.
Foley is a place to pause, breathe, and enjoy the simple things in life.
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Baldwin County Public Schools
Serving over 31,000 students, the Baldwin County Public Schools earns an overall rating of A-minus from Niche. Teachers from Foley Elementary received Baldwin County Public Schools 2023 Teacher of the Year awards. Foley Middle School's distinct Leader in Me program helps students learn how to manage time, become organized and resolve conflicts. In 2023, Foley High earned a School of Distinction award from the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools for their innovative student improvement program, which rewards students for improving academics, attendance and behavior.
Education shapes futures Foley Elementary School.
Foley High School is where dreams take flight.
Cultivating brilliance at Foley Middle School.
Inspiring greatness at Foley High School.
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Trails, kids parks and events at Heritage Park
There are more than 1,000 acres of parks and trails in Foley. In the city's southern end, the Graham Creek Nature Preserve is Foley's largest park, with over 650 acres. Residents can launch their kayaks and play disc golf or hike trails here. Downtown, the newly renovated Sara Thompson Kids Park features a playground with musical instruments. Sports complexes sit to the northwest, while campgrounds are found north along County Road 24. The city has been awarded a $5 million grant through the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act to expand the Graham Creek Nature Preserve. At the same time, upgrades to pickleball courts and construction of a new park near the Mills community in northwest Foley are ongoing.
Many community events occur at Heritage Park near the city center. Every October, the Midday Melodies concert series hosts local musicians covering country and folk songs, while in December, fake snow and a visit from Santa are part of Let It Snow, a festival following the annual Christmas Parade. Downtown, the Foley Railroad Museum exhibits a remote-controlled model railroad with real train cars, while the Foley Art Center showcases paintings by local artists. Elsewhere, the Graham Creek Nature Preserve hosts a Halloween Haunted Trails program and a kids' Easter egg hunt.
Enjoy a day outdoors with friends and family at Graham Creek Nature Preserve.
The gorgeous Foley Kids Park is the fun place to go after school.
Heritage Park in downtown Foley is a hub for family fun.
Owa Sports Complex brings a lot of sports tourism to Foley.
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Tanger Outlets offers a retail hotspot
In centrally located downtown, locally owned antique and coffee shops sit between furniture stores, and casual dining options include pizza and sandwich joints. Stacey's Olde Tyme Soda Fountain is a local favorite; established in 1927, it's the oldest ice cream shop in town. "Foley has a pretty strong retail presence," says Busby. "After hitting the beaches, locals will spend the rest of the day at shopping centers." In the southern end of town, Tanger Outlets is the place to shop for name-brand clothing, while big box stores and smaller shopping centers sit along State Route 59 and County Road 20.
Shop fashions for the entire family at Tanger Outlet Mall in Foley.
The Drowsy Poet in Foley retained some of the theme of the old service station.
Go to Stacey's Old Tyme Soda Fountain for some old fashioned fun.
Foley has the shopping and dining spots for residents all around.
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Crime in Foley
Thurston Bullock, Foley's Police Chief, says the number one crime in the city is retail theft because there are so many stores; business owners are installing surveillance systems, and more patrols are policing shopping centers. According to the Foley Police Department's 2023 annual report, there were 391 cases of property crime and 276 cases of violent crime. Foley has a relatively low crime rate compared to Baldwin County. In 2023, there were 72,000 instances of property crime and 14,200 cases of violent crime, according to Crime.Alabama.Gov, a site founded by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the University of Alabama.
Transportation and weather in Foley
U.S. Route 98 and State Route 59 provide access to most of Foley, and residents take State Route 59 or the Foley Beach Express south toward Gulf Shores. SR 59 also connects locals to Interstate 10 about 20 miles to the north, which gives them easy access to Mobile, 40 miles west. Rush hour, especially during tourist season, can extend commute times. Locals have access to the Baldwin Regional Area Transit System shuttles, while bike lanes are located centrally and in the city's southern end. South of the city, the Gulf Shores International Airport and the South Baldwin Medical Group hospital are roughly 9 and 10 miles away, respectively. Plans to construct a medical park near the hospital and repave the Foley Beach Express are ongoing, while nine bike racks will be added downtown by the end of 2024.
Foley has long, hot, humid summers with cool, short winters. Hurricane season lasts from June to November, and the area is threatened by an average of three storms per year, according to Alabama Public Radio. Foley has a mostly flat terrain, which makes flooding a problem for residents. Mayor Hellmich says city officials regularly upgrade drainage systems throughout town to help direct water away from residential areas. Tornadoes are also a reality, with new schools doubling as tornado shelters. The mayor encourages residents to download weather apps or buy weather radios, and flood insurance is required for Foley homebuyers in high-risk areas.
The main intersection of Hwy 59 and Hwy 98 is where the heart of Foley beats.
The Beach Express is has helped relieve traffic from highway 59.
Early Sumer for 2025 Jack Edwards Airports new commercial terminal will be up and running.
Foley residents can take Hwy 59 to I-10 and reach Mobile or the Florida Panhandle easily.
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Written By
Micaela Green
Photography Contributed By
Gabrielle Mazur
Video By
Grace Kim
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Michael Nehls,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Foley, AL sell after 66 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Foley, AL over the last 12 months is $319,000, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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