"A cute, little sleepy town" in Alabama's Wiregrass Region
In the heart of Alabama’s Wiregrass Region, Ozark is a principle city and the county seat of Dale County. But “it’s really more of a cute, little sleepy town,” Michael Pierce says. A local Realtor with RE/MAX Traditions, Pierce is an Ozark native who’s been selling homes in the area for over 18 years. He says the city hasn’t changed much since he was growing up. “It’s still got that old Southern feel and a historic downtown square that’s thriving – I call it the little town that time forgot.” For decades, Ozark’s economy has centered around agriculture, manufacturing and aviation. “It’s definitely a small, blue-collar town,” Pierce says, “but you really couldn’t ask for a better place to raise a family.”
Agriculture is one of the leading industries in Ozark.
Manufacturing is one of the largest industries in Ozark.
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Older homes at lower prices
The median sale price in Ozark is around $145,000, falling nearly two-thirds below the national median. “Housing is cheaper here because it’s hard to find a house that’s less than 20 years old,” Pierce says. The city’s oldest homes date back to the early 1900s and cluster around the downtown district. Most of the other properties were built between the 1960s and ‘80s.
Large traditional homes can be found along tree lined streets in Ozark.
Older homes are common throughout Ozark neighborhoods.
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Boating, fishing and archery at Ed Lisenby Lake
The Ed Lisenby Lake Complex is the city’s largest public park. The 93-acre lake has a community archery range, a boat ramp and hiking and biking trails. It’s also a popular local fishing spot with a fully stocked bait shop. Community volunteers built the original playground at Steagall Park, and in 2016, the city added another inclusive playscape and a splash pad. The local high school and community baseball teams play at Eagle Stadium, former home of the city’s minor league baseball team. Next door, the Ozark Civic Center and Flowers Center for the Performing Arts host all kinds of shows, from community plays to off-Broadway musicals. Art museums, galleries and music venues surround the downtown square.
The historic Eagle Stadium, built in 1946, is home of Ozark's professional baseball teams 1946-1952.
The Ozark Civic Center hosts local community events of all types.
Ed Lisenby Lake is a favorite fishing spot in Ozark.
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All the businesses are local in Downtown Ozark
Downtown Ozark is a walkable town square and the heart of the city’s shopping and dining scene. “It’s got a hodge podge of businesses, and they’re all local,” Pierce says. Boutiques, coffee shops and hometown bars occupy Main Street-style storefronts around the city courthouse. Most of the community events take place downtown. Each October, dozens of local art vendors and musicians bring the city together for the Claybank Jamboree Arts & Crafts Festival, while the Crawdad and Music Festival kick off the spring season.
Fast food chains, big box stores and other national retailers are found along U.S. Highway 231.
The Dale County Courthouse sits in the center of downtown Ozark.
The Loose Brick Coffee shop is a favorite for locals in downtown Ozark.
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Ozark City Schools earn an overall B on Niche
The Ozark City School System earns an overall B on Niche. It’s four schools and Career Tech Center serve approximately 2,000 students. In 2015, Carroll High became the first school in Alabama to receive STEM accreditation from Cognia. One of the city’s pride and joys is Alabama Aviation College, a two-year technical school with a top-rated aviation maintenance program.
Carroll High School serves grades 9-12 in Ozark with a B+ grade on Niche.
Lisenby Primary School serves grades Pre-K and K-2 in Ozark with a B- grade on Niche.
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Easily drive to Montgomery or Emerald Coast beaches
U.S. Route 231 is the only major highway in Ozark. It links straight to Montgomery about 90 miles north, and Dothan Regional Airport is only 20 miles south. This same highway leads to Panama City’s Emerald Coast in just over 100 miles. Tree-lined back roads provide easy access to Fort Novosel, the ‘Home of Army Aviation’ and largest helicopter training facility in the world.
Military and aviation are two of the top industries in Ozark.
The main highway to Ozark is US231 which runs along the southern edge of the city.
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Environment and Crime in Ozark
Summers in Ozark are hot and humid, while winters are generally short and mild.
Recent crime data for Ozark is not readily available.
Written By
Ryan Horton
Photography Contributed By
Kevin Willis
Video By
Sara Warthen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Dwayne Bowman,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Ozark, AL sell after 74 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Ozark, AL over the last 12 months is $159,500, up 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Quiet established neighborhood in Ozark, AL. The lot is zoned for residential use only. Close to shopping, restaurants, and more. The minimum building size is sq. ft. Public road frontage. No mobile homes allowed.
Great lot in Ozark, AL. The lot is zoned for residential use only. Close to shopping, restaurants, and more. The minimum building size is sq. ft. Public road frontage. No mobile homes allowed.
Eastgate Landing is a quiet complex off of Andrews Ave in Ozark. Conveniently located near Fort Novesel gate and minutes away from shopping centers and restaurants. Call us to take a tour of our community and view our 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom units. Our leasing team is ready to help you find your new home!
For Rent or Rent to Own Discover modern farmhouse charm in this stunning new construction home! Spanning 1,600 square feet, this thoughtfully designed residence offers an open-concept layout perfect for contemporary living. The spacious living area boasts an elegant electric fireplace, creating a cozy focal point. The kitchen features sleek stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and
Property Id: 1091632Welcome to this charming 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom single family home in Ozark, AL. This home features modern amenities such as a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, microwave oven, and washer/dryer hookups. With a spacious lawn and a carport, this cozy home is perfect for a small family or roommates. Don't miss out on this gem for $1000/month. No smoking or pets allowed.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
