Living in Fort Payne, Alabama
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Fort Payne · Census data 2020–2024
Fort Payne has 14,927 residents with a median age of 37.4. The median household income is $47,479 (26% lower than the Alabama median), the median home value is $157,000, the median rent is $679/month.
Fort Payne at a glance
- Population
- 14,927
- Median age
- 37.4State: 39.3
- Median household income
- $47,479State: $63,999
- Median home value
- $157,000State: $209,900
- Median rent
- $679/moState: $1,007
- Homeowners
- 69.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17.3%
- Average commute
- 17 min
Is Fort Payne a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 25% lower than the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 26% lower than the Alabama median; unemployment of 5%; a poverty rate of 32.5%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Fort Payne
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Fort Payne the median home value is $157,000, 53% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $679 per month, which is 27.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,103 a month in housing costs.
Fort Payne median household income
The median household income in Fort Payne is $47,479 and the income per person is $26,126. 32.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Alabama: 15.6%).
Housing in Fort Payne: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 6,369
- Owner-occupied
- 69.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 30.7%
- Vacant
- 13.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1977
- Average household size
- 2.64
Fort Payne demographics
- Population
- 14,927
- Median age
- 37.4
- Under 18
- 26.3%
- 65 and older
- 15.5%
- Households
- 5,522
- Foreign-born
- 9.3%
- Veterans
- 5.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Fort Payne ›
Education in Fort Payne
17.3% of adults 25 and older in Fort Payne have a bachelor's degree or higher (Alabama: 28.4%), and 8.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Fort Payne
- Unemployment rate
- 5%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 17 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 7.2%
- Drive alone
- 78.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 87.3%
Fort Payne vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Payne | 14,927 | $47,479 | $157,000 | $679 |
| Pine Ridge | 506 | $58,750 | — | $852 |
| Valley Head | 669 | $45,889 | $59,800 | $917 |
| Hammondville | 287 | $37,083 | $113,900 | $569 |
| Rainsville | 5,702 | $74,046 | $230,400 | $519 |
| Mentone | 377 | $42,344 | $269,700 | — |
| Sylvania | 1,925 | $56,161 | $161,500 | $692 |
| Shiloh | 383 | $61,538 | $113,900 | $725 |
| Menlo | 620 | $72,250 | $144,900 | $595 |
More for people moving to Fort Payne
Fort Payne ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Fort Payne: FAQ
What is the median household income in Fort Payne, AL?
The median household income in Fort Payne is $47,479, 26% lower than the Alabama median of $63,999 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Fort Payne?
The median home value in Fort Payne is $157,000, compared with $209,900 in Alabama.
How much is rent in Fort Payne?
The median gross rent in Fort Payne is $679 per month, about 27.5% of household income.
Is Fort Payne, AL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 25% lower than the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes. Minuses: median household income 26% lower than the Alabama median; unemployment of 5%; a poverty rate of 32.5%.
What is the median age in Fort Payne?
The median age in Fort Payne is 37.4 years (Alabama: 39.3).
How long is the commute in Fort Payne?
The average commute to work in Fort Payne is 17 minutes; 7.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Fort Payne?
The unemployment rate in Fort Payne is 5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Fort Payne?
17.3% of adults in Fort Payne have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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