A whisper of an island just 15 miles long and one mile wide, Dauphin Island has a pretty loud presence thanks to its technicolor sunsets. “That’s our brand. The Sunset Capital of Alabama,” says Shirley Robinson, town council member and longtime resident. “They are pretty fabulous. A lot of people go to the west side of the island to watch them.” But Robinson knows a secret: the sunrises are darn good too. The island thrums with vacationers year-round, and restaurant lines test everyone's patience in summer, but the island never exudes the frenetic vibes of the nearby Gulf Shores region. It’s a more peaceful place, Robinson says, where people walk their dogs on the beach and gather before dawn for the community-wide sunrise service on Easter morning.
Scan for birds from the boardwalk at the Audubon Bird Sanctuary
The coast is ever present on this small barrier island, which is tucked between Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. There are three public beaches: West End Public Beach, the central Public Beach and East End Public Beach. With the exception of West End Beach, where protected birds build nests, leashed dogs are allowed on the sand. East End Beach bumps against Fort Gaines, a historic Civil War-era fort. The Dauphin Island Bike Trail ribbons west from the fort for about three-and-a-half miles, ultimately linking with Public Beach. Walking trails meander past pines, live oaks and coastal swamplands inside the 164-acre Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab is a highly recommended aquarium spotlighting regional coastal habitats.
Many homes have views of the Gulf of Mexico
Homes fall into two camps: raised cottages in the western beach area and more traditional homes – bungalows and ranchers – in the wooded area in the east. Duplexes, townhouses, condominiums and small fish camps are also in the mix. Properties close to the beach tend to be priced higher than those farther inland. Prices range from $250,000 for an inland cottage-style house to $1.2 million for a raised six-bedroom beach house on the water. “The houses are quite expensive,” Robinson says, and it can be “hard for young people to live here because the insurance is kind of high. Flood insurance. If you buy a little brick house in the woods, it’s more reasonable.”
Mardi Gras season in greater Mobile kicks off on Dauphin Island
Mobile is known for its Mardi Gras celebrations, and Dauphin Island hosts the first two parades of the season, usually at the end of January or the beginning of February. “It’s really large. People from Mobile come down here. There are thousands at the event,” Robinson says. The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo brings 4,000 anglers – and 75,000 spectators – in mid-July for the world's largest fishing tournament, with prizes awarded across 33 categories.
Seafood comes with ocean views at Pirate’s Bar & Grill
Most shops and restaurants are locally owned, and fresh seafood is the island specialty – and it typically comes with views of the water. Capt’n Snappers, owned by Robinson’s brother-in-law, serves fried seafood platters beside the Dauphin Island Bridge and the marina. Burgers, po’boys and seafood are on the menu at Pirate’s Bar & Grill, which overlooks the Gulf and the beach. Lighthouse Bakery sells pastries, bread and sandwiches. The Carriage Wine & Market sells specialty groceries on the island. There are Greer’s CashSaver stores in Theodore and Bayou La Batre, each about 20 minutes away.
Students travel off the island for middle school and high school
The Dolphin Dispatch is a monthly online newsletter keeping parents informed about events at Dolphin Island Elementary, which enrolls fewer than 100 students. “We don’t have as many young families,” Robinson says, compared to past years, “but we’re getting more because they’re able to work from home now.” The school earns a grade of B from Niche. Alba Middle School, which opened in 1918, is located 17 miles from the island in Bayou La Batre. Niche grades the school a C+. After their freshman year, high school students in Mobile County enroll in themed academies, which guide their career paths. The signature academy at Bryant High School is Coastal Studies. Niche grades the school a C+.
Take the Dauphin Island Bridge or the Mobile Bay Ferry
State Highway 193 and the Dauphin Island Bridge connect the island with the mainland. Mobile is 35 miles north. Traffic on the island isn’t typically bad but it gets a little more congested on weekends and holidays, and if there's an event on the island. A ferry service operates daily between Dauphin Island and Fort Morgan to the east, across Mobile Bay.
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Leanne Carpenter,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Cadillac Square
Fort Morgan State Park
Jefferies Park
Indian Mound Park
Salt Creek Park
Transit
Airport
Mobile Regional
79 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Dauphin Island
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Dauphin Island, AL sell after 109 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Dauphin Island, AL over the last 12 months is $564,389, up 6% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to your perfect coastal getaway! This beautiful 2-bedroom, 2 ½-bathroom condo on Dauphin Island, offers amazing views and unparalleled comfort. Sold fully furnished, this spacious condo features a bright and open living space with two private decks—one off the living room and another off the main bedroom—both offering amazing views of the Gulf. Relax and unwind with easy access to the
Located on the 1st floor, this 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo overlooks the pristine white sands and blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Well maintained and ready to move in, this unit is being sold furnished excluding the coffee table and homeowner's blue plates. The condo has floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors, providing unobstructed views of the Gulf of Mexico from the living areas and
Looking to enjoy the island life? Come check out this great lot on Dauphin Island! Build your dream home and enjoy paradise. Just minutes from the water, Ferry, Fort Gaines and downtown. Come see this lot before its gone.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Leanne Carpenter,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
2,877
Median Age
60
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
11.5%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
38%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$59,394
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$98,168
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.3%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
38.6%
Advanced Degrees
13.6%
% Population in Labor Force
41.8%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
66''
Average Winter Low Temperature
38°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
35/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
