City profile · Alabama · Census ACS 2023

Muscle Shoals, AL

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

16,670
Residents
$70,927
Median income
$198,300
Median home
$1,000
Median rent (state)

Muscle Shoals - the verdict

Nationally, Muscle Shoals sits in the 51st percentile for household income and the 14th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

51st
percentile, household income
42nd
percentile, home value
20th
percentile, median rent
14th
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: Muscle Shoals, AL

Muscle Shoals is a small town in Alabama, home to 16,670 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Muscle Shoals brings in $70,927 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.7%. Muscle Shoals's housing stock carries a median value of $198,300, and the median resident age is 37.2 years. About 24.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 63.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 60 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 56% from five years earlier. Muscle Shoals's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 3165.5 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 60.7°F with 57.6 inches of precipitation per year.

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). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,000 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Alabama's average monthly utility costs around $245 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 85.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

16,670 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alabama

Median Household Income

$70,927 /yr

Poverty 10.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alabama average

How does Muscle Shoals compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 51% higher than other cities
Home value 42% pricier than other cities
Median rent 20% pricier than other cities
Safety 14% 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, Muscle Shoals ranks #171 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 Muscle Shoals'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.

51stIncome percentile
14thSafety percentile

51st percentile nationally for median household income · 14th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Muscle Shoals's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Muscle Shoals'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 45 Avg. percentile National median
Muscle Shoals'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 Muscle Shoals's home value compares nationally

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

$198,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 58% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Muscle Shoals $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 - Muscle Shoals, AL Muscle Shoals, AL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Muscle Shoals, 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 Muscle Shoals, AL median $70,927/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%
Muscle Shoals, 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 Muscle Shoals, AL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 24.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.1%

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

Population
16,670
Median Income
$70,927
Median Home Value
$198,300
Median Age
37.2
Poverty Rate
10.7%
Labor force participation
63.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
24.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3165.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
182.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2982.7
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
60.7°F
Annual Precipitation
57.6"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
16,000 residents16,500 residents17,000 residents17,500 residents18,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 16,374 residents 17,666 residents ▲ +7.9%
Muscle Shoals's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
60
housing units authorized
Single-Family
60
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 137
2020 163
2021 184
2022 70
2023 51
2024 60

Permit volume decreased 56% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.4%
Carpool
6.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.2%
Work from Home
13.7%

Based on 8,271 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 Muscle Shoals sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,000/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
85.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alabama

Hueytown
16,541 people
Millbrook
16,923 people
Saraland
16,304 people
Calera
17,188 people
Center Point
16,125 people
Gardendale
16,110 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Muscle Shoals's 16,670 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Eloy, AZ
16,671 people
Fillmore, CA
16,665 people
Vincennes, IN
16,676 people
Youngsville, LA
16,664 people
Red Wing, MN
16,660 people
Bull Run CDP (Prince William County), VA
16,688 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Muscle Shoals's $70,927 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Cornville, AZ
$70,925 median income
Patricksburg, IN
$70,931 median income
Bradshaw, NE
$70,919 median income
East Bank, WV
$70,917 median income
Mayflower, AR
$70,938 median income
Janesville, CA
$70,938 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Muscle Shoals, 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 Muscle Shoals, AL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 78.0% 13.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.9% White 78.0% Black or African American 13.4% Asian 1.2% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.0% Two or more races 5.3% 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 Muscle Shoals 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
Muscle Shoals (this city) 16,670 $70,927
Hueytown 16,541 $62,362
Millbrook 16,923 $64,522
Saraland 16,304 $60,577
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AL FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Muscle Shoals, AL?

What is the population of Muscle Shoals, AL? +

16,670 people live in Muscle Shoals, AL according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Muscle Shoals, AL? +

Median annual household income in Muscle Shoals runs $70,927, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Muscle Shoals? +

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

Muscle Shoals has a total crime rate of 3165.5 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 Muscle Shoals, AL? +

The median home value in Muscle Shoals is $198,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Muscle Shoals? +

The average annual temperature in Muscle Shoals runs 60.7°F, 57.6 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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.