Baldwin County AL
Business
Baldwin County is the largest county in geographic area (1,596 square miles) within the State of Alabama. The County lies between the two large Metropolitan Areas (MSAs) of Mobile MSA, Alabama to the west and Pensacola MSA, Florida.
Area population
1990 2000 2010 (projected)
Baldwin County 98,280 140,415 184,375
Retail sales tax
State of Alabama 4% Gulf Shores 3%
Baldwin County 3% Orange Beach 3%
Major employers
Tanger Outlet Center………………………………………………….. 1500
South Baldwin Regional Medical Center……………………. 680
Brett-Robinson……………………………………………………………….. 550
Columbia Southern University…………………………………….. 394
Perdido Beach Resort………………………………………….. 250-300
Walmart # 2748 Gulf Shores……………………………………… 241
Meyer Real Estate………………………………………………………… 235
Riviera Utilities………………………………………………………………. 223
City of Gulf Shores………………………………………………………… 210
City of Orange Beach……………………………………………………. 203
The Beach Club……………………………………………………………… 200
Baldwin EMC…………………………………………………………………… 193
LuLu’s……………………………………………………………………………… 150
Publix of Gulf Shores…………………………………………………….. 110
Publix of Orange Beach………………………………………………….. 90
Tourism in Baldwin county
2009
Total Number of Visitors 4.6 million
Travel-Related Wages 915 million
and Salaries
Travel-Related Expenditures 2.3 billion
Travel-Related Employment 41,000
FM, GS, OB Lodging Revenue 234 million
FM, GS, OB Retail Sales Revenue 537 million
Gulf shores population & income
2008 2013 (projected)
Population 7,760 9,391
Households 3,755 4,665
Median Age 48.37
Median Household Income $45,160
Average Household Income $57,186
Per Capita Income $27,699
Orange beach population & income
2008 2013 (projected)
Population 6,359 7,907
Households 3,113 3,974
Median Age 46.60
Median Household Income $43,217
Average Household Income $58,850
Per Capita Income $28,810
License information
Fishing
Annual licenses for Alabama residents are $12.00 for freshwater; $21.00 for saltwater. Visitors are able to purchase annual or seven-day trip licenses to fish, fee depending on home state. Licenses are available at the Baldwin County Satellite Courthouse in Foley and other convenient locations. Call Conservation Marine Resource, 251-968- 7576 for information.
Boat
Boat registration fees are based on boat length. New residents must bring the registration receipt from the previous state. Call 251-943- 5061 for information.
Cars, trucks, & motorcycles
Motor vehicles must be registered by new residents within 30 days, along with trailers and motor homes. Vehicles may be registered at the Satellite Courthouse weekdays 8-4:30; Owner must bring the title and the vehicle for the VIN number. Call the courthouse at 251-943-5061 for information about annual fees, taxes and documentation required. Alabama requires automobile insurance, but has no state vehicle inspection requirement.
Driving
Licenses must be obtained by new residents within 30 days. Those with a current license must pass an eye exam and present their current license, birth certificate and Social Security Card; others must pass a written, road and eye exam. The Alabama Driver’s license fee is $28; $23 for the license and $5 for the transfer fee. Tests are given at the Probate Office of the Foley Satellite Courthouse on Monday through Friday 8-11 and 12:30-3:30. Call 251-943-5061, Ext. 2871.
Marriage licenses
Licenses are issued at the Baldwin County Courthouse in Bay Minette weekdays 8-4:30 p.m. for $40; and$58 for a courthouse ceremony as long as a judge or chief clerk is available. Price includes license, ceremony and one certified copy. Call 251-937-0260.
Register to vote
You may register to vote at the Foley Satellite Courthouse in Foley weekdays 8-4:30. Call the Board of Registrars, 251-943-5061, Ext. 2859, for dates and locations of monthly mobile voter registration provided throughout the county.
County
Baldwin County Call Center………………………………… 943-5061
(Not sure which government office you need? The Call Center will be
glad to answer your questions and direct you to the correct office.)
Baldwin County Satellite Courthouse/
County Commission/Probate Office, Foley…………… 943-5061
Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance…… 947-2445
Probate and Drivers License…………………………………………………………….. 943-5061
Health Department–Environmental……………………….. 947-3618
The Health Department Clinic………………………………. 947-1910
Housing Authority………………………………………………. 943-5370
Department of Human Resources…………………………. 945-2400
Social Security Administration (800-772-1213)…….. 928-2504
Tax Assessors Office/Revenue Commission……………… 943-5061, ext. 2840
Tax Collector…………………………………………………………………….. 943-5061, Ext. 2843
Veterans Affairs………………………………………………………………………………….. 937-0218
Voter Registration……………………………………………………………………………….. 943-5061
County Commission Office………………………………………………………………… 943-5061
Sherrif’s Office…………………………………………………………………………………….. 972-6802
Board of Education……………………………………………………………………………… 937-0306
Hospital/Urgent Care
South Baldwin Regional Medical Center………………… 949-3400
Alabama Gulf Coast Urgent Care Center……………….. 962-1250
American Family Care…………………………………………………………………………. 974-3004
State Agencies
Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel……………………………………….. 800-ALABAMA
Dept. of Conservation, Wildlife &
Fresh Water Fisheries………………………………………………………………………. 626-5153
Dept. of Conservation Marine Resources/
Claude Peteet Mariculture Center………………………. 968-7576
Dept. of Economic and Community Affairs……….. 334-242-5100
Dept. of Environmental Management…………………….. 450-3400
Marine Police……………………………………………………………………………………….. 981-2673
Taxpayer Service Center…………………………………………………………………… 344-4737
Veterans Affairs………………………………………………………………………………….. 937-0218
Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve……………………….. 928-9792
Newspapers
Baldwin Register………………………………………………………………………………….. 219-5490
The Islander………………………………………………………………………………………….. 968-6414
Mullet Wrapper…………………………………………………… 967-3344
Local Radio Stations
Sunny 105.7 FM…………………………………………………………………………………… 967-1057
WHEP 1310 AM & FM Radio Baldwin 943-7131 getting here and around
Because of their central location along the northern Gulf Coast, getting to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is a breeze. Interstates 65 and 10 both take travelers to Alabama Highway 59, Gulf Shores Parkway. Highway 59 and the Foley Beach Express are direct routes to our beachside community.
Driving Distances
DEPARTING CITY TIME (HOURS) MILES
Atlanta 6.5 349
Baton Rouge 4.5 246
Biloxi 1.25 109
Birmingham 5 274
Charleston 12 627
Charlotte 11.5 595
Chattanooga 8 420
Chicago 18 1073
Cincinnati 12 746
Cleveland 15 989
Dallas 12 720
Grand Rapids 20 1048
Houston 9 514
Huntsville 7 377
Indianapolis 13.5 755
Little Rock 12 621
Louisville 11 642
Memphis 8 487
Minneapolis 22 1435
Montgomery 3.5 188
Nashville 8.5 467
New Orleans 3.5 190
St. Louis 13.5 767
Mileage and driving times are approximate, and depend upon individual routes taken.
Air Transportation
For those coming by air, Jack Edwards Airport in Gulf Shores and Foley Municipal Airport can accommodate corporate planes and offer rental car services. Nearby the Pensacola and Mobile Regional Airports each offers commercial service through several airlines.
Mobile Regional Airport, 251-633-4510 www.mobairport.com
Pensacola Regional Airport, 850-436-5000 www.flypensacola.com
Jack Edwards Airport—Gulf Shores, 251-968-6380 Foley Municipal Airport, 251-943-5214
ground transportation
There are rental car and taxi services available in the area, in addition the Baldwin Rural Area Transportation System (BRATS), 251-972-6817, offers pre-scheduled transportation.
Water Transportaion
Mobile Bay Ferry, 251-861-3000 www.mobilebayferry.com
The Mobile Bay Ferry offers transportation between Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island for a fee during regularly scheduled daylight hours.