Population267,761 (2025 est.)
Bayfront Mornings and Wide Open Gulf Shores
Baldwin County, AlabamaBaldwin County stretches from the eastern shore of Mobile Bay to the Gulf beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Bay Minette serves as the county seat, while communities including Fairhope, Daphne and Foley give the county several distinct centers. Start with a shoreline, a downtown or the trails at Gulf State Park, then leave room to explore inland. Water shapes the landscape, but each community offers a different starting point.
Baldwin County at a Glance
Population267,761 (2025 est.)
County SeatBay Minette
Largest CityDaphne
Established1809
ZIP CodesSee postal resources
Total Area, Including Water2,027 sq mi (total)
Major RoutesInterstate 10; Interstate 65; U.S. Highway 31; U.S. Highway 90; U.S. Highway 98; State Route 59
Area CodesVaries by community
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Discover Baldwin County
Baldwin County
Established in 1809, Baldwin County predates Alabama statehood by a decade. Its government moved through several communities before settling in Bay Minette, a history that reflects the county's changing connections to rivers, bays and inland roads. Today, the eastern shore of Mobile Bay and the Gulf coast remain two recognizable parts of its identity. Reading the county through those waterways helps connect its older settlements with the cities and towns that residents and visitors know today.
A day here can take very different forms depending on where you begin. Gulf State Park brings beaches, trails and opportunities to learn about the coast together, while the bayfront communities offer another perspective on the water. Foley and Bay Minette provide useful inland starting points. Choose one part of the county to explore at a time, allowing the distance between the bay, the beach and the northern communities to shape your plans.
What Shapes Us
Two Coastlines
Mobile Bay and the Gulf coast give the county distinct waterfront settings, with communities whose identities reflect their different relationships to the water.
Coastal Outdoors
Gulf State Park connects beach scenery with trails and educational spaces, offering several ways to experience coastal habitats within a single park landscape.
Inland Connections
Bay Minette and Foley broaden the picture beyond the shoreline, reminding visitors that the county includes inland communities as well as its coastal destinations.
Follow the shoreline, then discover the communities beyond.
A Closer Look
Baldwin County
Places and perspectives from Baldwin County
Baldwin County headlines via Google News
Alabama Supreme Court denies Gulf Shores’ appeal in Baldwin County commissioner’s golf cart rental case - Gulf Coast Media
Alabama Supreme Court denies Gulf Shores’ appeal in Baldwin County commissioner’s golf cart rental case Gulf Coast Media
Read the Story Oct 14, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Baldwin County
Stories from every corner of Baldwin County.
Alabama Supreme Court denies Gulf Shores’ appeal in Baldwin County commissioner’s golf cart rental case - Gulf Coast Media
Alabama Supreme Court denies Gulf Shores’ appeal in Baldwin County commissioner’s golf cart rental case Gulf Coast Media
Oct 14, 2026 • 2 min read
In the Probate Court of Baldwin County, Alabama Case No. 45179 In Re: … - Gulf Coast Media
In the Probate Court of Baldwin County, Alabama Case No. 45179 In Re: … Gulf Coast Media
Oct 14, 2026 • 2 min read
Alabama High Court ends Gulf Shores' appeal in Baldwin commissioner's golf cart case - NBC 15 WPMI
Alabama High Court ends Gulf Shores' appeal in Baldwin commissioner's golf cart case NBC 15 WPMI
Oct 13, 2026 • 2 min read
PHOTOS: Hurricane Isaias in Baldwin County, Alabama Gulf Coast - Gulf Coast Media
PHOTOS: Hurricane Isaias in Baldwin County, Alabama Gulf Coast Gulf Coast Media
Oct 12, 2026 • 2 min read
Baldwin County, Alabama official gives Isaias update - WPLG Local 10
Baldwin County, Alabama official gives Isaias update WPLG Local 10
Oct 10, 2026 • 2 min read
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Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Bay Minette Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-06. 800 Blackburn Ave, Bay Minette, AL 36507. 251-937-7651.
Gulf Shores Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 1600 E 3rd St, Gulf Shores, AL 36542. 251-968-7375.
Orange Beach Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-06. 4900 S Wilson Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561. 251-981-5662.
Baldwin County High School – High; grades 09-12. One Tiger Dr, Bay Minette, AL 36507. 251-937-2341.
Bay Minette Middle School – Middle; grades 07-08. 1311 W 13th Street, Bay Minette, AL 36507. 251-580-2960.
Swift Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-06. 6330 Bon Secour Hwy, Bon Secour, AL 36511. 251-949-6422.
Belforest Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-06. 11364 County Road 64, Daphne, AL 36526. 251-607-5624.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
North Baldwin Infirmary – Acute Care Hospitals. 1815 Hand Avenue, Bay Minette, AL 36507. 251-937-5521.
Thomas Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 750 Morphy Avenue, Fairhope, AL 36532. 251-928-2375.
Baldwin Health – Acute Care Hospitals. 1613 North Mckenzie Street, Foley, AL 36535. 251-949-3400.
Eastpointe Hospital – Psychiatric. 7400 Roper Lane, Daphne, AL 36526. 251-378-6500.
Public Safety
Emergency Services
Parks & Public Lands
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Trails
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Utilities
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Bay Minette Public Library – 205 West Second Street, Bay Minette, AL 36507. 251-580-1648.
Daphne Public Library – 2607 U.S. Highway 98, Daphne, AL 36526. 251-620-2500.
Elberta Public Library – 13052 Main Street, Elberta, AL 36530. 251-986-3069.
Fairhope Public Library – 501 Fairhope Avenue, Fairhope, AL 36532. 251-928-7483.
Foley Public Library – 319 East Laurel Avenue, Foley, AL 36535. 251-943-7665.
Gulf Shores – Thomas B. Norton Public Library – 221 West 19Th Avenue, Gulf Shores, AL 36542. 251-968-1176.
Courts
DMV
Alabama — Driver License Offices
Alabama — License and ID Cards
Alabama — Driver Records, Crash Reports, and Driver License Reinstatements
Transportation
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Baldwin County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Baldwin County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
267,761 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
2,027.273 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with Baldwin County Commission, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with 28th Judicial Circuit Court, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Emergency Management Agency, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Public Libraries, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Sheriff, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
The park brings together beaches, hiking and biking trails, camping and educational facilities. Use its activity and visitor information to choose a particular destination within the park. Gulf State Park.
No. The county government was based in several earlier communities, including Daphne, before the seat moved to Bay Minette. The county’s history page explains those changes. Baldwin County seat history.
Start with these official Alabama resources: Driver License Offices; License and ID Cards; Driver Records, Crash Reports, and Driver License Reinstatements. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Local Businesses
Businesses Serving Baldwin CountyExplore the businesses listed for this county.
Businesses serving Baldwin County
Additional county facts: county overview and references.
Connect with local businesses.Baldwin County