Explore the Alabama Gulf Coast
Baldwin County Alabama Coastal Communities
Baldwin County is where the Alabama Gulf Coast opens wide into bays, rivers, and white‑sand shoreline. Though it’s one of the fastest‑growing counties in the state, its character is still shaped by long‑standing communities, freshwater springs, and families who have lived here for generations. From the Eastern Shore towns with their moss‑draped streets to the slower rhythms of Magnolia Springs and Bon Secour, Baldwin County is a blend of coastal charm, agricultural roots, and small‑town warmth.
This section explores the communities that make Baldwin County feel like home, each with its own history, its own waterways, and its own local heartbeat.
Baldwin County, Alabama Coastal Community Profiles
Orange Beach
Orange Beach
Orange Beach, Alabama
Population: ~8,500
Type: Waterfront Community
Size: 10–25 sq miles
Waterfront: Gulf of Mexico, Perdido Bay
Shoreline: Gulf beaches and bay access
Primary Industries: Tourism, fishing, boating
Housing Mix: Condos, beach homes
Zip Code 36561
Gulf Shores
Orange Beach
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Population: ~15,000
Type: Waterfront Community
Size: More than 75 sq miles
Waterfront: Gulf of Mexico, Lagoon
Shoreline: Gulf beaches and lagoon access
Primary Industries: Tourism, hospitality, fishing
Housing Mix: Condos, beach homes
Zip Code 36541
Fort Morgan
Fort Morgan
Fort Morgan, Alabama
Population: ~1,000 (very rough, sparse area)
Type: Rural Coastal Community
Size: More than 75 sq miles (long peninsula, low density)
Waterfront: Gulf of Mexico, Mobile Bay
Shoreline: Gulf beaches and bay shoreline
Primary Industries: Tourism, fishing, seasonal rentals
Housing Mix: Beach homes, single-family homes
Zip Code 36542
Bon Secour
Fort Morgan
Population: ~800 (small, spread-out community)
Type: Rural Coastal Community
Size: 25–75 sq miles
Waterfront: Bon Secour River
Shoreline: Riverfront with access to Mobile Bay
Primary Industries: Fishing, seafood, small-scale tourism
Housing Mix: Single-family homes, with land
Zip Code 36511
Foley
Fairhope
Foley, Alabama
Population: ~21,000
Type: Growing Coastal Community
Size: 25–75 sq miles
Waterfront: No direct shoreline
Shoreline: Inland near coast
Primary Industries: Retail, tourism, agriculture
Housing Mix: Single-family homes, apartments
Zip Code 36535
Fairhope
Fairhope
Fairhope, Alabama
Population: ~23,000
Type: Small Coastal Town
Size: 10–25 sq miles
Waterfront: Mobile Bay
Shoreline: Bayfront
Primary Industries: Tourism, arts, retail
Housing Mix: Single-family homes, townhomes
Zip Code 36532, 36559, 36564
Daphne
Spanish Fort
Spanish Fort
Daphne, Alabama
Population: ~30,000
Type: Growing Coastal Community
Size: 10–25 sq miles
Waterfront: Mobile Bay
Shoreline: Bayfront
Primary Industries: Residential, retail, healthcare
Housing Mix: Single-family homes, apartments
Zip Code 36526
Spanish Fort
Spanish Fort
Spanish Fort
Spanish Fort, Alabama
Population: ~11,000
Type: Growing Coastal Community
Size: 25–75 sq miles
Waterfront: Mobile Bay, Blakeley River
Shoreline: Bay and river frontage
Primary Industries: Residential, retail, tourism
Housing Mix: Single-family homes
Zip Code 36527