City profile · Alabama · Census ACS 2023

Gulf Shores, AL

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

15,785
Residents
$73,873
Median income
$367,000
Median home
$1,345
Median rent (state)

Gulf Shores - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Gulf Shores lands in the 55th percentile for household income and the 30th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

55th
percentile, household income
74th
percentile, home value
50th
percentile, median rent
30th
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: Gulf Shores, AL

15,785 people live in Gulf Shores, Alabama - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Gulf Shores households earn a median of $73,873 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.0%. Typical homes in Gulf Shores are valued around $367,000, and the median resident age is 50.4 years. About 38.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 57.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 148 residential building permits were authorized in Gulf Shores (Construction Slowdown), down 68% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2078.9 in FBI UCR data, near 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 $1,345 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $245 across Alabama, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 96.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

15,785 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alabama

Median Household Income

$73,873 /yr

Poverty 12.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alabama average

How does Gulf Shores compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 55% higher than other cities
Home value 74% pricier than other cities
Median rent 50% pricier than other cities
Safety 30% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Alabama, Gulf Shores ranks #123 of 222 Alabama cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

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 Gulf Shores'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.

55thIncome percentile
30thSafety percentile

55th percentile nationally for median household income · 30th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Gulf Shores's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Gulf Shores'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 41 Avg. percentile National median
Gulf Shores'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 Gulf Shores's home value compares nationally

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

$367,000 26th percentile more affordable than 26% 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%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Gulf Shores $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 - Gulf Shores, AL Gulf Shores, AL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Gulf Shores, 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 Gulf Shores, AL median $73,873/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%
Gulf Shores, 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 Gulf Shores, AL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 38.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.9%

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

Population
15,785
Median Income
$73,873
Median Home Value
$367,000
Median Age
50.4
Poverty Rate
12.0%
Labor force participation
57.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
38.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2078.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
287.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1791.8
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
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
15,000 residents16,000 residents17,000 residents18,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 15,288 residents 17,394 residents ▲ +13.8%
Gulf Shores's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
148
housing units authorized
Single-Family
148
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
9.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 460
2020 521
2021 471
2022 513
2023 500
2024 148

Permit volume decreased 68% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.0%
Carpool
5.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.4%
Work from Home
16.4%
Other
1.8%

Based on 8,020 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 Gulf Shores 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

Chelsea
15,731 people
Scottsboro
15,641 people
Hartselle
15,586 people
Gardendale
16,110 people
Center Point
16,125 people
Saraland
16,304 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Gulf Shores's 15,785 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Weston, WI
15,784 people
Westbury, NY
15,789 people
Thibodaux, LA
15,792 people
Jamestown, ND
15,774 people
Brooklyn Park, MD
15,799 people
Overland, MO
15,762 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Gulf Shores's $73,873 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Stratford Downtown, CT
$73,875 median income
Jefferson, MT
$73,875 median income
Centerburg, OH
$73,875 median income
Jasper, TN
$73,875 median income
Oxford, IA
$73,869 median income
Thedford, NE
$73,867 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Gulf Shores, 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 Gulf Shores, AL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 89.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.0% White 89.5% Black or African American 2.6% Asian 1.3% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.4% Two or more races 2.7% 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 Gulf Shores 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
Gulf Shores (this city) 15,785 $73,873
Chelsea 15,731 $110,056
Scottsboro 15,641 $52,949
Hartselle 15,586 $67,863
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Gulf Shores, AL?

What is the population of Gulf Shores, AL? +

The population of Gulf Shores, AL stands at 15,785 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Gulf Shores, AL? +

Median annual household income in Gulf Shores runs $73,873, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Gulf Shores? +

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

Gulf Shores has a total crime rate of 2078.9 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Gulf Shores, AL? +

A typical home in Gulf Shores is worth $367,000, 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 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.