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Alabama

Alabama

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in Alabama

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Demographics

Majority WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 52
Population5,054,253
Foreign Born2.2%
Population Density100people per mi²
Median Age39.3 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
GrowingSince 2000, this state's population has grown with relatively minor shifts in racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
C+
Average

A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.

Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.

Cost of Living

77/100

23% below national average

A+
Affordability Ratio

111%

The Real Cost of Living in Alabama

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $15k$29k
Comfortable $38k$56k
Luxury $112k+$174k+
Elite (Top 5%) $142k+$220k+

Economics

Overall Economy Grade
C
Average

An economy roughly in line with the national baseline across income, employment, and housing.

Median HHI
$62k+4.1%
17% below US avg
Avg Net Worth
$316k
52% below US avg
WFH
7.8%
45% below US avg
Homeownership
69.9%
7% above US avg
Median Home
$195k
31% below US avg
Avg HH Debt
$15k
18% below US avg
Poverty Rate
15.6%
36% above US avg
Public Assistance
14.1%
21% above US avg
Unemployment
4.8%
30% above US avg
Median Rent
$963
17% below US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
C
Moderate

Crime rates similar to the national median for U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
18.1
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
+15.3%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr+14.5%
Homicide
0.09 / 1k Residents35% above US avg
Robbery
0.30 / 1k Residents54% below US avg
Aggravated Assault
2.78 / 1k Residents4% above US avg

Property Crime

5yr+16.0%
Burglary
2.14 / 1k Residents21% below US avg
Larceny-Theft
10.83 / 1k Residents23% below US avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
1.59 / 1k Residents44% below US avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: R+14Solidly Conservative
State Legislature of Alabama
Alabama Senate8D · 27R
Alabama House29D · 76R
Presidential Voting Trends for Alabama
Dem Rep
30%40%50%60%70%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B-
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
C+
Weak9.8% of income
Property Rights
D
WeakIJ Grade D
Firearm Rights
A-
GreatFPC Grade A-
Homeschooling
A-
GoodLow regulation

Energy independence: Importer (45% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
F
ProhibitedIllegal
Gambling Laws
F
ProhibitedTribal · Poker · Betting
Marijuana Laws
C+
LimitedMedical only

Homesteading

Growing Season264 daysstatewide average
Annual Rainfall59.3"statewide average
Elevation462 ftstatewide average

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
B-
Defensible

Workable tactical position. Some exposure to population density or targets, but generally defensible in a crisis.

Best Places to Live

Cities

Largest Cities in Alabama

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-18T22:13:59.000Z

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