City profile · Alabama · Census ACS 2023

Foley, AL

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

22,330
Residents
$67,346
Median income
$260,100
Median home
$1,345
Median rent (state)

Foley - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Foley lands in the 46th percentile for household income and the 39th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

46th
percentile, household income
58th
percentile, home value
50th
percentile, median rent
39th
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: Foley, AL

Alabama's Foley is a small city, with 22,330 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Foley brings in $67,346 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.0%. Typical homes in Foley are valued around $260,100, and the median resident age is 53.3 years. About 26.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 47.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 1,189 residential building permits were authorized in Foley (Building Boom), up 131% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Foley reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1721.9 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects 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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,345 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Alabama's average monthly utility costs around $245 (state average). Commute times here average 22.3 minutes, with 80.6% driving alone and 9.6% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 96.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

22,330 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alabama

Median Household Income

$67,346 /yr

Poverty 8.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alabama average

How does Foley compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 46% higher than other cities
Home value 58% pricier than other cities
Median rent 50% pricier than other cities
Safety 39% 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, Foley ranks #103 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

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

Alabama-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent is Foley's strongest outlier among Alabama cities

Among the 556 Alabama cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Foley ranks #1 - the 96th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Foley only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#147 of 530
72nd percentile in Alabama
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 556
96th percentile in Alabama
Median Home Value
#46 of 517
91st percentile in Alabama
Poverty Rate
#367 of 556
33rd percentile in Alabama
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#115 of 556
79th 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.

46thIncome percentile
39thSafety percentile

46th percentile nationally for median household income · 39th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Foley's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Foley'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 44 Avg. percentile National median
Foley'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 Foley's home value compares nationally

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

$260,100 42nd percentile more affordable than 42% 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%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Foley $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 - Foley, AL Foley, AL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Foley, 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 Foley, AL median $67,346/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%
Foley, 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 Foley, AL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 26.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.5%

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

Population
22,330
Median Income
$67,346
Median Home Value
$260,100
Median Age
53.3
Poverty Rate
8.0%
Labor force participation
47.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
26.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1721.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
193.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1528.9
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
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
20,000 residents25,000 residents30,000 residents35,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 20,975 residents 30,354 residents ▲ +44.7%
Foley's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
1,189
housing units authorized
Single-Family
976
detached homes
Multifamily
213
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
53.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 515
2020 751
2021 765
2022 579
2023 1,565
2024 1,189

Permit volume increased 131% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
22.3 minutes
Drive Alone
80.6%
Carpool
7.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.9%
Work from Home
9.6%
Other
1.4%

Based on 8,900 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 Foley sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,345/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
96.7 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alabama

Mountain Brook
22,160 people
Albertville
22,584 people
Oxford
22,063 people
Helena
21,452 people
Anniston
21,377 people
Fairhope
23,360 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Foley's 22,330 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Portsmouth, NH
22,332 people
Cudahy, CA
22,325 people
Marina, CA
22,324 people
Yorkville, IL
22,350 people
Hayesville, OR
22,309 people
Hillsborough, NJ
22,302 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Foley's $67,346 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Catlin, IL
$67,344 median income
Colton, NY
$67,344 median income
Vero Beach, FL
$67,351 median income
Leslie, MI
$67,355 median income
El Campo, TX
$67,356 median income
Walled Lake, MI
$67,335 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Foley, 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 Foley, AL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 80.7% 6.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 10.6% White 80.7% Black or African American 4.6% Asian 2.3% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 5.0% Two or more races 6.6% 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 Foley 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
Foley (this city) 22,330 $67,346
Mountain Brook 22,160 $191,128
Albertville 22,584 $57,103
Oxford 22,063 $70,065
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Foley, AL?

What is the population of Foley, AL? +

The population of Foley, AL stands at 22,330 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Foley is $67,346 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Foley? +

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

Foley has a total crime rate of 1721.9 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 Foley, AL? +

A typical home in Foley is worth $260,100, 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.