City profile · Alabama · Census ACS 2023

Fort Payne, AL

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

14,886
Residents
$48,623
Median income
$158,100
Median home
$776
Median rent (state)

Fort Payne - the verdict

Fort Payne ranks in the 17th percentile for household income and the 37th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

17th
percentile, household income
29th
percentile, home value
0th
percentile, median rent
37th
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: Fort Payne, AL

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 14,886 residents in Fort Payne, a small town within Alabama. Median household income here is $48,623 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 16.7%. Typical homes in Fort Payne are valued around $158,100, and the median resident age is 39.3 years. 17.5% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 55.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 22 residential building permits were authorized in Fort Payne (Rapid Growth), up 22% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Fort Payne reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1775.3 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures 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). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $776 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Alabama's average monthly utility costs around $245 (state average). Workers in Fort Payne report an average commute of 17.5 minutes, with 73.3% driving alone and 5.9% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 80.4 out of 100 (High).

Population

14,886 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alabama

Median Household Income

$48,623 /yr

Poverty 16.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alabama average

How does Fort Payne compare to other US cities?

Where Fort Payne sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 17% higher than other cities
Home value 29% pricier than other cities
Median rent 0% pricier than other cities
Safety 37% 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, Fort Payne ranks #106 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 Fort Payne'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.

17thIncome percentile
37thSafety percentile

17th percentile nationally for median household income · 37th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Fort Payne's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Fort Payne'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
Fort Payne'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 Fort Payne's home value compares nationally

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

$158,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 71% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Fort Payne $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 - Fort Payne, AL Fort Payne, AL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Fort Payne, 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 Fort Payne, AL median $48,623/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%
Fort Payne, 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 Fort Payne, AL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 17.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 16.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.6%

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

Population
14,886
Median Income
$48,623
Median Home Value
$158,100
Median Age
39.3
Poverty Rate
16.7%
Labor force participation
55.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
17.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1775.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
160.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1615.1
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
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 →
14,800 residents15,000 residents15,200 residents15,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 14,856 residents 15,189 residents ▲ +2.2%
Fort Payne's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
22
housing units authorized
Single-Family
22
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 18
2020 22
2021 26
2022 18
2023 26
2024 22

Permit volume increased 22% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.5 minutes
Drive Alone
73.3%
Carpool
17.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.3%
Work from Home
5.9%
Other
0.8%

Based on 6,285 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 Fort Payne 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
80.4 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alabama

Talladega
15,041 people
Alexander City
14,686 people
Jasper
14,480 people
Ozark
14,348 people
Jacksonville
14,345 people
Hartselle
15,586 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Fort Payne's 14,886 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Boulder City, NV
14,888 people
Loganville, GA
14,878 people
Glenn Dale, MD
14,896 people
Hereford, TX
14,874 people
Oldsmar, FL
14,872 people
Forest, FL
14,871 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Fort Payne's $48,623 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Pawhuska, OK
$48,625 median income
London, CA
$48,618 median income
Asheboro, NC
$48,628 median income
Ithaca, NY
$48,617 median income
Casey, IL
$48,631 median income
Cottonwood Falls, KS
$48,631 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Fort Payne, 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 Fort Payne, AL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 79.8% 11.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 23.3% White 79.8% Black or African American 1.8% Asian 0.2% American Indian 1.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 11.8% Two or more races 5.0% 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 Fort Payne 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
Fort Payne (this city) 14,886 $48,623
Talladega 15,041 $46,820
Alexander City 14,686 $42,367
Jasper 14,480 $66,250
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Fort Payne, AL?

What is the population of Fort Payne, AL? +

14,886 people live in Fort Payne, AL according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Fort Payne, AL? +

The median household income in Fort Payne is $48,623 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Fort Payne? +

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

Fort Payne has a total crime rate of 1775.3 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 Fort Payne, AL? +

The median home value in Fort Payne is $158,100, 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.