Living in Rainbow City, Alabama
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Rainbow City · Census data 2020–2024
Rainbow City has 10,284 residents with a median age of 41.7. The median household income is $56,398 (12% lower than the Alabama median), the median home value is $223,000, the median rent is $1,048/month.
Rainbow City at a glance
- Population
- 10,284
- Median age
- 41.7State: 39.3
- Median household income
- $56,398State: $63,999
- Median home value
- $223,000State: $209,900
- Median rent
- $1,048/moState: $1,007
- Homeowners
- 65.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20.8%
- Average commute
- 27 min
Is Rainbow City a good place to live?
Pros: A poverty rate of 10%.
Cons: Median household income 12% lower than the Alabama median; home values 6% higher than the state median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 10.3%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Rainbow City
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Rainbow City the median home value is $223,000, 33% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,048 per month, which is 42.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,426 a month in housing costs.
Rainbow City median household income
The median household income in Rainbow City is $56,398 and the income per person is $39,440. 10% of residents live below the poverty line (Alabama: 15.6%).
Housing in Rainbow City: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 4,693
- Owner-occupied
- 65.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 34.4%
- Vacant
- 12%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1990
- Average household size
- 2.47
Rainbow City demographics
- Population
- 10,284
- Median age
- 41.7
- Under 18
- 22.5%
- 65 and older
- 18.9%
- Households
- 4,131
- Foreign-born
- 4.9%
- Veterans
- 8.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Rainbow City ›
Education in Rainbow City
20.8% of adults 25 and older in Rainbow City have a bachelor's degree or higher (Alabama: 28.4%), and 8.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Rainbow City
- Unemployment rate
- 10.3%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 27 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 8%
- Drive alone
- 78.4%
- Public transit
- 1.4%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.8%
Rainbow City vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow City | 10,284 | $56,398 | $223,000 | $1,048 |
| Attalla | 5,775 | $59,215 | $126,100 | $743 |
| Southside | 9,483 | $76,487 | $226,500 | $1,184 |
| Steele | 1,149 | $72,386 | $107,100 | $739 |
| Gadsden | 33,374 | $40,345 | $116,800 | $808 |
| Ivalee | 809 | $41,198 | $140,600 | $714 |
| Glencoe | 5,353 | $68,517 | $206,100 | $736 |
| Gallant | 1,081 | $55,130 | $99,200 | — |
| Ohatchee | 1,148 | $76,667 | $197,600 | $796 |
More for people moving to Rainbow City
Rainbow City ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Rainbow City: FAQ
What is the median household income in Rainbow City, AL?
The median household income in Rainbow City is $56,398, 12% 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 Rainbow City?
The median home value in Rainbow City is $223,000, compared with $209,900 in Alabama.
How much is rent in Rainbow City?
The median gross rent in Rainbow City is $1,048 per month, about 42.6% of household income.
Is Rainbow City, AL a good place to live?
Pluses: a poverty rate of 10%. Minuses: median household income 12% lower than the Alabama median; home values 6% higher than the state median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 10.3%.
What is the median age in Rainbow City?
The median age in Rainbow City is 41.7 years (Alabama: 39.3).
How long is the commute in Rainbow City?
The average commute to work in Rainbow City is 27 minutes; 8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Rainbow City?
The unemployment rate in Rainbow City is 10.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Rainbow City?
20.8% of adults in Rainbow City 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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