Ashland, AL

Alabama

Ashland is a small town in Alabama with a population of 1,779. Residents earn $41,875 per year, which is 44% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,779 Population 242/sq mi density
$41,875 Median Income $27,891 per capita
$173,900 Home Value $173,644 Zillow
$352 Median Rent
61°F Avg Temperature
559 Violent Crime/100K 2,644 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$41,875 median income, 0.2% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$173,900 home value, $352/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
559 violent crimes/100K (47% above avg)
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $41,875
44% lower than US avg
Home Value $173,900
38% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 559/100K
47% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.8%
44% lower than US avg
Median Rent $352
70% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.7%
39% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.2%
94% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.2%
55% higher than US avg

How Ashland Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,779
Median Age43.5 yrs
Density242/mi²
Male / Female44% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 74%

Economy

B
Median Income$41,875
Per Capita$27,891
Unemployment0.2%
Poverty19.2%
County GDP$577M
Commute24 min

Housing

A
Home Value$173,900
Rent$352
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$173,644

Crime

F
Violent559/100K
Property2,644/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault559/100K
Burglary458/100K

Health

Obesity44.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.4%
Heart Disease7.1%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain59.7 in/yr
Elevation1,127 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+18.8%
High School+79.1%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 85% / D 15%
Commute24 min
EV Stations1
Libraries2

Is Ashland a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ashland receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Ashland has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ashland is $41,875, 44% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.2%. The poverty rate of 19.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ashland is $173,900, 38% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $352 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 559 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,644 per 100,000, 35% above the national average.

Education

18.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 79.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Ashland enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 59.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Ashland has a population of 1,779 with a density of 242 people per square mile. The median age is 43.5 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (74.3%), with 18.2% Black.

Population

1,779
Total Population
242
People / sq mi
43.5yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
7.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 43.5%
Female 56.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Ashland vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.8%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.2%
91% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ashland vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ashland is $41,875, which is 44% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 19.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Ashland vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$41,875
44% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,891
Avg Weekly Wage$857
IRS Avg AGI$57,169

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.2%
94% below US avg
Poverty Rate19.2%
55% above US avg
Establishments (County)254
County GDP$577M

Business (County)

Restaurants15
Healthcare17
Retail40
Manufacturing12

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,162
67% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.67%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.3 min
Work from Home4.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Ashland is $173,900, 38% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $352 (70% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $173,644.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$173,900
38% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$173,644

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$352
70% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$716
1 Bedroom$772
2 Bedrooms$936
3 Bedrooms$1,206
4 Bedrooms$1,381

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied55.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,162
67% below US avg
Effective Rate0.67%
In Ashland, 44.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.4% report depression. 34.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Ashland vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.7%
39% above US avg
Diabetes14.6%
Heart Disease7.1%
High Blood Pressure43.4%
Asthma11.0%
COPD9.4%
Stroke4.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.2%
Physical Inactivity34.2%
Depression25.4%
Mental Distress20.7%
Physical Distress16.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.5%
Checkup Rate78.0%
Premature Death13,313/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access64.4%
Healthcare Facilities17
Ashland has a violent crime rate of 559 per 100,000 residents, 47% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,644 per 100,000 (35% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Ashland vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent559.2/100K
47% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault559.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,643.6/100K
35% above US avg
Burglary457.6/100K
Theft2,135.2/100K
Vehicle Theft50.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Ashland has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 59.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average61.1°F
13% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall59.7 inches
57% above US avg
Snowfall1.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,127 ft (344 m)
Area7.4 sq mi (19.0 km²)
Population Density242/sq mi
Coordinates33.2699°N, 85.8337°W
County FIPS01027
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 18.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (44% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 70.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 84.9%
D 14.7%

Winner: Republican by 70.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.8%
44% below US avg
High School+79.1%
School Test Score4.40
C+ Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density242/sq mi
Total Area7.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities17
Restaurants15
Retail Stores40

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.3 min
Work from Home4.5%

Nearby Cities

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