Brilliant, AL

Alabama

Brilliant is a small town in Alabama with a population of 1,078. Residents earn $47,877 per year, which is 36% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,078 Population 102/sq mi density
$47,877 Median Income $26,511 per capita
$55,200 Home Value
$445 Median Rent
61°F Avg Temperature
339 Violent Crime/100K 2,935 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$47,877 median income, 4.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$55,200 home value, $445/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
339 violent crimes/100K (11% below avg)
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,877
36% lower than US avg
Home Value $55,200
80% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 339/100K
11% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.3%
78% lower than US avg
Median Rent $445
62% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.4%
35% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.4%
22% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 27.3%
120% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,078
Median Age54.6 yrs
Density102/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 99%

Economy

C+
Median Income$47,877
Per Capita$26,511
Unemployment4.4%
Poverty27.3%
County GDP$1,328M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$55,200
Rent$445
OwnershipN/A

Crime

F
Violent339/100K
Property2,935/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault339/100K
Burglary903/100K

Health

Obesity43.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.8%
Heart Disease7.3%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain61.7 in/yr
Elevation640 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.3%
High School+80.5%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 91% / D 9%
Commute22 min
Libraries4

Is Brilliant a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Brilliant receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Brilliant has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Brilliant is $47,877, 36% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.4%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 27.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Brilliant is $55,200, 80% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $445 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Brilliant is below the national average at 339 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,935 per 100,000, 50% above the national average.

Education

7.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 80.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Brilliant enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 61.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Brilliant has a population of 1,078 with a density of 102 people per square mile. The median age is 54.6 years, 40% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (99%).

Population

1,078
Total Population
102
People / sq mi
54.6yrs
Median Age
40% above US avg
10.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.2%
Female 50.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Brilliant vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.6%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.4%
97% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Brilliant vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Brilliant is $47,877, which is 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 27.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Brilliant vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,877
36% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,511
Avg Weekly Wage$927
IRS Avg AGI$56,625

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.4%
22% above US avg
Poverty Rate27.3%
120% above US avg
Establishments (County)712
County GDP$1,328M

Business (County)

Restaurants56
Healthcare81
Retail120
Manufacturing27

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,585
55% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.87%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.8 min
Work from Home13.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Brilliant is $55,200, 80% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $445 (62% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$55,200
80% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$445
62% 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-Occupied68.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,585
55% below US avg
Effective Rate2.87%
In Brilliant, 43.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.8% report depression. 31.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.4%
35% above US avg
Diabetes12.7%
Heart Disease7.3%
High Blood Pressure40.0%
Asthma10.8%
COPD9.9%
Stroke3.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.0%
Physical Inactivity31.7%
Depression28.8%
Mental Distress21.3%
Physical Distress16.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate78.0%
Checkup Rate76.3%
Premature Death12,544/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.0/10
Exercise Access31.3%
Healthcare Facilities81
Brilliant has a violent crime rate of 339 per 100,000 residents, 11% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,935 per 100,000 (50% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent338.6/100K
11% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault338.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,934.5/100K
50% above US avg
Burglary902.9/100K
Theft1,693.0/100K
Vehicle Theft338.6/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Brilliant has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 61.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average60.7°F
12% above US avg
January Average40°F (5°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall61.7 inches
62% above US avg
Snowfall1.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation640 ft (195 m)
Area10.6 sq mi (27.4 km²)
Population Density102/sq mi
Coordinates34.0257°N, 87.7690°W
County FIPS01093
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 7.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (78% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 81.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 90.6%
D 8.9%

Winner: Republican by 81.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.3%
78% below US avg
High School+80.5%
School Test Score4.40
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density102/sq mi
Total Area10.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities81
Restaurants56
Retail Stores120

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.8 min
Work from Home13.2%

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