AreaProfile

Alabama Area Profiles

70 published city profiles across Alabama, each built from the same authoritative sources and compared on the same terms.

Find places in Alabama that fit you →

Statewide signals

Opportunity40th of 51 states measured40
GrowthTop 12% of 51 states measured65
Housing affordabilityTop 36% of 51 states measured74
ClimateTop 2% of 51 states measured82
Physical resilience39th of 51 states measured42
AccessTop 48% of 51 states measured75
Economic stability46th of 51 states measured11

Cities

70 published profiles across 26 areas

Birmingham, AL

22 cities

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
BirminghamJefferson County198,17348
HooverJefferson County92,64271
Vestavia HillsJefferson County38,61664
AlabasterShelby County33,91764
HomewoodJefferson County27,82968
TrussvilleJefferson County26,67371
BessemerJefferson County25,40046
PelhamShelby County24,82764
Mountain BrookJefferson County22,02969
HelenaShelby County21,76963
CaleraShelby County17,71463
GardendaleJefferson County16,53461
HueytownJefferson County16,41452
ChelseaShelby County16,26071
Center PointJefferson County15,91451
JasperWalker County14,44256
Pell CitySt. Clair County13,58761
MoodySt. Clair County13,48864
IrondaleJefferson County13,46461
McCallaJefferson County13,25360
LeedsJefferson County12,02860
ClayJefferson County10,27353

Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL

5 cities

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
DaphneBaldwin County29,45369
FairhopeBaldwin County24,19067
FoleyBaldwin County24,02656
Gulf ShoresBaldwin County16,40161
Spanish FortBaldwin County10,66266

Huntsville, AL

4 cities

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
HuntsvilleMadison County222,79168
MadisonMadison County60,10674
AthensLimestone County29,00271
MeridianvilleMadison County11,15070

Mobile, AL

4 cities

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
MobileMobile County203,41644
PrichardMobile County18,96136
Tillmans CornerMobile County17,67750
SaralandMobile County16,40455

Montgomery, AL

4 cities

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
MontgomeryMontgomery County197,49452
PrattvilleAutauga County39,48266
MillbrookElmore County17,18959
Pike RoadMontgomery County10,57465

Anniston-Oxford, AL

4 cities

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
OxfordCalhoun County22,06357
AnnistonCalhoun County21,27145
JacksonvilleCalhoun County14,43756
SaksCalhoun County10,68148

Tuscaloosa, AL

2 cities

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
TuscaloosaTuscaloosa County111,03855
NorthportTuscaloosa County31,21862

Auburn-Opelika, AL

2 cities

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
AuburnLee County80,59471
OpelikaLee County32,82069

Decatur, AL

2 cities

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
DecaturMorgan County57,36165
HartselleMorgan County15,84767

Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL

2 cities

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
FlorenceLauderdale County41,70160
Muscle ShoalsColbert County16,95163

Gadsden, AL

2 cities

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
GadsdenEtowah County33,37445
Rainbow CityEtowah County10,28452

Albertville, AL

2 cities

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
AlbertvilleMarshall County22,81359
BoazMarshall County10,81457

Talladega-Sylacauga, AL

2 cities

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
TalladegaTalladega County14,76040
SylacaugaTalladega County12,30945

Dothan, AL

1 city

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
DothanHouston County71,51458

Columbus, GA-AL

1 city

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
Phenix CityRussell County38,49948

Enterprise, AL

1 city

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
EnterpriseCoffee County29,50563

Cullman, AL

1 city

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
CullmanCullman County19,31966

Troy, AL

1 city

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
TroyPike County17,71654

Selma, AL

1 city

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
SelmaDallas County17,05734

Scottsboro, AL

1 city

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
ScottsboroJackson County15,71255

Fort Payne, AL

1 city

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
Fort PayneDeKalb County14,92753

Alexander City, AL

1 city

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
Alexander CityTallapoosa County14,60649

Ozark, AL

1 city

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
OzarkDale County14,32748

Eufaula, AL-GA

1 city

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
EufaulaBarbour County12,58447

Russellville, AL

1 city

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
RussellvilleFranklin County10,79954

LaGrange, GA-AL

1 city

CityCountyPopulationArea Score
ValleyChambers County10,27759

Strongest opportunity

  1. Madison 86
  2. Meridianville 79
  3. Fairhope 75
  4. Athens 74
  5. Huntsville 74

Fastest development

  1. Opelika 93
  2. Enterprise 80
  3. Albertville 79
  4. Huntsville 79
  5. Athens 79

Statewide physical risk

TornadoModerate
LightningModerate
Heat waveModerate
Inland floodingModerate
EarthquakeModerate
HurricaneModerate

Low or minimal exposure: strong wind, cold wave, landslide, wildfire, ice storm, drought, winter weather, hail, coastal flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity, avalanche.

Population-weighted across every county in Alabama, derived from the FEMA National Risk Index. Exposure varies substantially within a state — check the individual city and ZIP profiles.

Statewide data

MetricValueCompared nationallySource period
Broadband access ±0.3%2024 ACS 5-Year87.5%Bottom 12%of 522024 ACS 5-Year
Distance to major airportNASR current cycle40 miTop 44%of 51NASR current cycle
Major airports within 100 milesNASR current cycle2Bottom 38%of 51NASR current cycle
No internet access ±0.2%2024 ACS 5-Year9.7%Bottom 12%of 522024 ACS 5-Year
Annual precipitation1991-2020 Normals56.4"96th percentileof 511991-2020 Normals
Average January low1991-2020 Normals34°F86th percentileof 511991-2020 Normals
Average July high1991-2020 Normals90°F72nd percentileof 511991-2020 Normals
Comfortable months1991-2020 Normals8Top 2%of 511991-2020 Normals
Seasonal temperature swing1991-2020 Normals35°F8th percentileof 511991-2020 Normals
Average household size ±0.012024 ACS 5-Year2.4859th percentileof 522024 ACS 5-Year
Households ±6,4902024 ACS 5-Year1,997,24755th percentileof 522024 ACS 5-Year
Median age ±0.22024 ACS 5-Year39.357th percentileof 522024 ACS 5-Year
Population2024 ACS 5-Year5,086,76855th percentileof 522024 ACS 5-Year
Population change (1 year)July 1, 2024 estimate+0.8%Top 44%of 51July 1, 2024 estimate
Population change (4 years)July 1, 2024 estimate+2.5%Top 38%of 51July 1, 2024 estimate
Population density2024 ACS 5-Year100/sq mi45th percentileof 522024 ACS 5-Year
Population estimateJuly 1, 2024 estimate5,157,69954th percentileof 51July 1, 2024 estimate
Average permitted value per unit12 months ending July 2026$272,47260th percentileof 5112 months ending July 2026
Housing units permitted (12 months)12 months ending July 202621,038Top 40%of 5112 months ending July 2026
Multifamily share of permits12 months ending July 202617.5%14th percentileof 5112 months ending July 2026
Permit change (3 years)12 months ending July 2026+8.7%Top 36%of 5112 months ending July 2026
Permit change (year over year)12 months ending July 2026+14.6%Top 12%of 5112 months ending July 2026
Permits per 1,000 residents12 months ending July 20264.1Top 40%of 5112 months ending July 2026
Cost of living index202389.1Top 14%of 512023
Home price change (1 year)2026 Q2+3.7%54th percentileof 512026 Q2
Home price change (5 years)2026 Q2+43.8%52nd percentileof 512026 Q2
Home price change (10 years)2026 Q2+88.8%44th percentileof 512026 Q2
Home price to income ±0.02024 ACS 5-Year2.7Top 27%of 522024 ACS 5-Year
Homeownership rate ±0.4%2024 ACS 5-Year70.2%75th percentileof 522024 ACS 5-Year
Housing units ±4302024 ACS 5-Year2,337,26555th percentileof 522024 ACS 5-Year
Median gross rent ±$82024 ACS 5-Year$1,007Top 18%of 522024 ACS 5-Year
Median home value ±$1,0762024 ACS 5-Year$209,90014th percentileof 522024 ACS 5-Year
Median property taxes ±$62024 ACS 5-Year$7882nd percentileof 522024 ACS 5-Year
Owner household income ±$6022024 ACS 5-Year$79,108Bottom 14%of 522024 ACS 5-Year
Property tax rate ±0.00%2024 ACS 5-Year0.38%2nd percentileof 522024 ACS 5-Year
Rent as a share of income ±0.3%2024 ACS 5-Year29.5%Bottom 47%of 522024 ACS 5-Year
Seasonal and second homes ±2,0052024 ACS 5-Year71,96461st percentileof 522024 ACS 5-Year
Second homes2024 ACS 5-Year3.1%47th percentileof 522024 ACS 5-Year
Vacancy rate2024 ACS 5-Year11.5%92nd percentileof 522024 ACS 5-Year
Vacant housing units ±6,2682024 ACS 5-Year340,01878th percentileof 522024 ACS 5-Year
Median household income ±$3992024 ACS 5-Year$63,999Bottom 12%of 522024 ACS 5-Year
Per capita income ±$2172024 ACS 5-Year$36,087Bottom 14%of 522024 ACS 5-Year
Poverty rate ±0.2%2024 ACS 5-Year14.8%Bottom 14%of 522024 ACS 5-Year
Average commute ±0.1 min2024 ACS 5-Year27.3 minBottom 43%of 522024 ACS 5-Year
Bachelor's degree or higher ±0.3%2024 ACS 5-Year28.4%Bottom 14%of 522024 ACS 5-Year
Drove alone to work ±0.3%2024 ACS 5-Year80.6%96th percentileof 522024 ACS 5-Year
EmploymentAugust 20262,269,521Top 46%of 51August 2026
Employment change (3 years)August 2026+0.3%Top 50%of 51August 2026
Employment change (year over year)August 2026−1.5%Bottom 34%of 51August 2026
Labor forceAugust 20262,353,63954th percentileof 51August 2026
Labor force participation ±0.2%2024 ACS 5-Year73.7%Bottom 10%of 522024 ACS 5-Year
Public transit to work ±0.0%2024 ACS 5-Year0.3%6th percentileof 522024 ACS 5-Year
Unemployment change (year over year)August 2026+0.6%Bottom 12%of 51August 2026
Unemployment rateAugust 20263.6%Top 30%of 51August 2026
Worked from home ±0.2%2024 ACS 5-Year8.8%10th percentileof 522024 ACS 5-Year
Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility2024-25 school year54.3%59th percentileof 452024-25 school year
Math proficiency2018-19 school year47.0%Top 35%of 502018-19 school year
Public schools2024-25 school year1,50156th percentileof 512024-25 school year
Reading proficiency2018-19 school year45.3%Bottom 23%of 492018-19 school year
Schools behind the staffing ratio2024-25 school year1,33957th percentileof 502024-25 school year
Students per teacher2024-25 school year17.1Bottom 16%of 502024-25 school year

Counties in Alabama

34 published

Some measures are published by county and nowhere finer — death rates by intent among them. On a county page those describe the geography they are printed on.

Jefferson County, AL
667,755 residents · 16.4 homicide deaths per 100k
Mobile County, AL
412,590 residents · 14.8 homicide deaths per 100k
Madison County, AL
405,718 residents · 6.3 homicide deaths per 100k
Baldwin County, AL
246,989 residents · 3.8 homicide deaths per 100k
Tuscaloosa County, AL
237,552 residents · 6.3 homicide deaths per 100k
Shelby County, AL
230,211 residents · 4.0 homicide deaths per 100k
Montgomery County, AL
226,718 residents · 27.1 homicide deaths per 100k
Lee County, AL
181,134 residents · 7.1 homicide deaths per 100k
Morgan County, AL
124,471 residents · 6.8 homicide deaths per 100k
Calhoun County, AL
116,090 residents · 5.8 homicide deaths per 100k
Limestone County, AL
111,233 residents · 3.7 homicide deaths per 100k
Houston County, AL
108,140 residents · 9.2 homicide deaths per 100k
Etowah County, AL
103,105 residents · 9.7 homicide deaths per 100k
Marshall County, AL
99,748 residents · 6.1 homicide deaths per 100k
Lauderdale County, AL
95,830 residents · 3.1 homicide deaths per 100k
St. Clair County, AL
94,166 residents · 5.6 homicide deaths per 100k
Cullman County, AL
90,566 residents · 4.7 homicide deaths per 100k
Elmore County, AL
89,526 residents · 9.8 homicide deaths per 100k
Talladega County, AL
81,021 residents · 16.0 homicide deaths per 100k
DeKalb County, AL
72,269 residents · 8.1 homicide deaths per 100k
Walker County, AL
64,841 residents · 10.5 homicide deaths per 100k
Autauga County, AL
59,947 residents
Russell County, AL
58,811 residents · 11.6 homicide deaths per 100k
Colbert County, AL
58,022 residents · 3.9 homicide deaths per 100k
Coffee County, AL
54,920 residents · 9.3 homicide deaths per 100k
Jackson County, AL
53,053 residents · 5.8 homicide deaths per 100k
Dale County, AL
49,599 residents · 8.8 homicide deaths per 100k
Tallapoosa County, AL
40,938 residents · 10.1 homicide deaths per 100k
Dallas County, AL
36,858 residents · 47.0 homicide deaths per 100k
Chambers County, AL
34,192 residents · 10.7 homicide deaths per 100k
Pike County, AL
32,987 residents · 11.8 homicide deaths per 100k
Franklin County, AL
31,966 residents · 6.2 homicide deaths per 100k
Barbour County, AL
24,643 residents
Lowndes County, AL
9,833 residents · 16.0 homicide deaths per 100k