City profile · Alabama · Census ACS 2023

Bear Creek, AL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Bear Creek - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,317
Residents
$36,250
Median income
$95,300
Median home
$776
Median rent (state)

Bear Creek - the verdict

Nationally, Bear Creek sits in the 5th percentile for household income and the 13th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

5th
percentile, household income
8th
percentile, home value
0th
percentile, median rent
13th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Bear Creek, AL

Bear Creek is a small town in Alabama, home to 1,317 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Bear Creek brings in $36,250 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 17.6%. Typical homes in Bear Creek are valued around $95,300, and the median resident age is 41.3 years. 9.5% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 40.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Bear Creek's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 3295.7 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Alabama run below the national norm: the state registers 88.8 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $776 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $245 across Alabama, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 69.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

1,317 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alabama

Median Household Income

$36,250 /yr

Poverty 17.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alabama average

How does Bear Creek compare to other US cities?

Bear Creek measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 5% higher than other cities
Home value 8% pricier than other cities
Median rent 0% pricier than other cities
Safety 13% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Alabama alone, Bear Creek ranks #177 of 222 Alabama cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Bear Creek's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Alabama, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

5thIncome percentile
13thSafety percentile

5th percentile nationally for median household income · 13th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Bear Creek's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Bear Creek's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 38 Avg. percentile National median
Bear Creek's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Bear Creek's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$95,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 92% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Bear Creek $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Bear Creek, AL Bear Creek, AL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bear Creek, AL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Bear Creek, AL median $36,250/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Bear Creek, AL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Bear Creek, AL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 9.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 40.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,317
Median Income
$36,250
Median Home Value
$95,300
Median Age
41.3
Poverty Rate
17.6%
Labor force participation
40.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
9.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3295.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1035.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2259.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,030 residents1,040 residents1,050 residents1,060 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,037 residents 1,054 residents ▲ +1.6%
Bear Creek's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
88.6%
Carpool
3.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
5.1%
Other
2.6%

Based on 428 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Alabama - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$138
avg/month
Natural Gas
$62
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$245
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Alabama state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Alabama state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Bear Creek sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$776/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
69.1 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alabama

West Blocton
1,320 people
Rock Creek
1,313 people
Locust Fork
1,312 people
Susan Moore
1,323 people
New Market
1,296 people
Mount Vernon
1,339 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bear Creek's 1,317 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lawtey, FL
1,317 people
Punta Rassa, FL
1,317 people
Buckeystown, MD
1,317 people
Loving, NM
1,317 people
Dortches, NC
1,317 people
Wetherington, OH
1,317 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bear Creek's $36,250 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lower Kalskag, AK
$36,250 median income
Bowie, AZ
$36,250 median income
Fulton, AR
$36,250 median income
Tillar, AR
$36,250 median income
Banner, IL
$36,250 median income
Prairie City, IL
$36,250 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bear Creek, AL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Bear Creek, AL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 93.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.9% White 93.3% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 5.5% Two or more races 0.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Bear Creek compares to nearby Alabama cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Bear Creek (this city) 1,317 $36,250
West Blocton 1,320 $37,537
Rock Creek 1,313 $80,063
Locust Fork 1,312 $42,045
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AL FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bear Creek, AL?

What is the population of Bear Creek, AL? +

The population of Bear Creek, AL stands at 1,317 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Bear Creek, AL? +

In Bear Creek, the typical household earns $36,250 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bear Creek? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Bear Creek; the closest available measure is the Alabama state average, a cost of living index of 88.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Alabama vary by metro area.

Is Bear Creek, AL safe? +

Bear Creek has a total crime rate of 3295.7 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Bear Creek, AL? +

Bear Creek's median home value sits at $95,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.