Signals
Athens
Fort Payne
Growth
32 · Bottom 23%
vs30 · Bottom 19%
Climate
70 · Top 40%
vs78 · Top 10%
Physical resilience
25 · Bottom 13%
vs46 · Bottom 37%
Housing affordability
92 · Bottom 42%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
67 · Bottom 32%
vs67 · Bottom 33%
Economic stability
25 · Bottom 15%
vs17 · Bottom 7%
Measured values
| Metric | Athens | Fort Payne | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,737 | 72,269 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $56,001 | $51,204 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $30,645 | $26,490 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 123/sq mi | 93/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $185,000 | $152,700 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $939 | $693 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 60.4% | 78.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.9% | 14.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 21.5% | 22.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 51 | 45 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.8 | 0.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -7.3% | -13.5% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 87°F | 87°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 24°F | 30°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 44.2" | 56.2" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 58 mi | 57 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.2 min | 26.4 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 33.2 | 39.5 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Athens
Elevated or high exposure: inland flooding.
Fort Payne
Elevated or high exposure: cold wave, earthquake.
Your best match
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Athens
52
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Area Score
Fort Payne
56
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Athens, OH Micro Area · Fort Payne, AL Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology