City profile · Alabama · Census ACS 2023

Cottonwood, AL

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

1,091
Residents
$35,417
Median income
$110,300
Median home
$950
Median rent (state)

Cottonwood - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Cottonwood places in the 5th percentile for household income and the 47th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

5th
percentile, household income
13th
percentile, home value
10th
percentile, median rent
47th
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: Cottonwood, AL

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 1,091 residents in Cottonwood, a small town within Alabama. Cottonwood households earn a median of $35,417 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 17.2%. Typical homes in Cottonwood are valued around $110,300, and the median resident age is 48.1 years. About 10.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 44.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 4 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Low Activity). Cottonwood reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1458.6 in FBI UCR data, below 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: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Alabama at 88.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $950 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $245 across Alabama, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 87.8 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

1,091 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alabama

Median Household Income

$35,417 /yr

Poverty 17.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alabama average

How does Cottonwood compare to other US cities?

Here's how Cottonwood stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 5% higher than other cities
Home value 13% pricier than other cities
Median rent 10% pricier than other cities
Safety 47% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Alabama and the picture shifts: Cottonwood ranks #83 of 222 Alabama cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Cottonwood against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Alabama only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Alabama-relative analysis

Poverty Rate sits close to the middle of Alabama's city distribution

Among the 556 Alabama cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Cottonwood ranks #160 - the 71st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Cottonwood only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#463 of 530
12th percentile in Alabama
Median Gross Rent
#266 of 556
49th percentile in Alabama
Median Home Value
#354 of 517
31st percentile in Alabama
Poverty Rate
#160 of 556
71st percentile in Alabama
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#395 of 556
29th percentile in Alabama

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Alabama only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

5thIncome percentile
47thSafety percentile

5th percentile nationally for median household income · 47th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Cottonwood's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Cottonwood'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 47 Avg. percentile National median
Cottonwood'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 Cottonwood's home value compares nationally

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

$110,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 87% 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%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Cottonwood $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 - Cottonwood, AL Cottonwood, AL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, AL median $35,417/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%
Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, AL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 10.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 44.4%

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

Population
1,091
Median Income
$35,417
Median Home Value
$110,300
Median Age
48.1
Poverty Rate
17.2%
Labor force participation
44.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
10.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1458.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
273.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1185.1
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 →
1,040 residents1,060 residents1,080 residents1,100 residents1,120 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,057 residents 1,104 residents ▲ +4.4%
Cottonwood's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 2
2021 3
2022 19
2023 0
2024 4

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
86.3%
Carpool
1.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.1%
Work from Home
10.1%

Based on 424 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 Cottonwood sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$950/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
87.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alabama

Parrish
1,093 people
Tidmore Bend
1,086 people
Camp Hill
1,098 people
Brilliant
1,078 people
Lookout Mountain
1,074 people
Notasulga
1,074 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Cottonwood's 1,091 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lake Catherine, IL
1,091 people
Caldwell, KS
1,091 people
Ponderosa Pine, NM
1,091 people
North Bend, OH
1,091 people
Hilshire, TX
1,091 people
Teviston, CA
1,092 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Cottonwood's $35,417 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Watson, AR
$35,417 median income
Buttonwillow, CA
$35,417 median income
Ambrose, GA
$35,417 median income
Elk City, KS
$35,417 median income
White Cloud, KS
$35,417 median income
Rodessa, LA
$35,417 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, AL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 67.1% 26.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.3% White 67.1% Black or African American 26.4% Asian 0.7% American Indian 1.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 4.6% 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 Cottonwood 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
Cottonwood (this city) 1,091 $35,417
Parrish 1,093 $25,769
Tidmore Bend 1,086 $49,688
Camp Hill 1,098 $30,000
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Cottonwood, AL?

What is the population of Cottonwood, AL? +

The population of Cottonwood, AL stands at 1,091 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Cottonwood, AL? +

In Cottonwood, the typical household earns $35,417 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Cottonwood? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Cottonwood; 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 Cottonwood, AL safe? +

Cottonwood has a total crime rate of 1458.6 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Cottonwood, AL? +

Cottonwood's median home value sits at $110,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, 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

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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.