Chelsea, AL

Alabama · Metropolitan Area

Chelsea is a small city in Alabama with a population of 15,731. Residents earn $110,056 per year, which is 46% above the national average.

4.8 /5.0
A+ Excellent
15,731 Population 482/sq mi density
$110,056 Median Income $45,990 per capita
$339,400 Home Value $379,942 Zillow
$1,456 Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.8 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$110,056 median income, 2.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$339,400 home value, $1,456/mo rent
A+
Education
4.6 / 5.0
44.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $110,056
46% higher than US avg
Home Value $339,400
20% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 44.9%
33% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,456
25% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.6%
5% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.4%
33% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.1%
91% lower than US avg

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

People

Population15,731
Median Age38.2 yrs
Density482/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 85%

Economy

A+
Median Income$110,056
Per Capita$45,990
Unemployment2.4%
Poverty1.1%
County GDP$17,333M
Commute34 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$339,400
Rent$1,456
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$379,942

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity30.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.3%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain55.6 in/yr
Elevation579 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+44.9%
High School+96.8%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 29%
Commute34 min
EV Stations1
Libraries14

Is Chelsea a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Chelsea receives an overall livability score of 4.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Chelsea stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Chelsea is $110,056, which is significantly higher than the national average — 46% above $75,149. This places Chelsea among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.4%. Only 1.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Chelsea is $339,400, 20% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,456 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 3.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 44.9% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 96.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Chelsea enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 55.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Chelsea has a population of 15,731 with a density of 482 people per square mile. The median age is 38.2 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.3%), with 7.4% Black.

Population

15,731
Total Population
482
People / sq mi
38.2yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
32.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.4%
Female 47.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Chelsea vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.1%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.9%
49% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Chelsea vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Chelsea is $110,056, which is 46% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Income: Chelsea vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$110,056
46% above US avg
Per Capita Income$45,990
Avg Weekly Wage$1,284
IRS Avg AGI$102,306

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.4%
33% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.1%
91% below US avg
Establishments (County)7,251
County GDP$17,333M

Business (County)

Restaurants436
Healthcare535
Retail708
Manufacturing159

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,123
11% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.92%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time34.0 min
Work from Home13.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Chelsea is $339,400, 20% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,456 (25% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $379,942.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$339,400
20% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$379,942
Median List Price$386,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$386,950
$/Sq Ft$179
Homes Sold31
Sale-to-List Ratio99.6%
Price Drops19.4%
Inventory108

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,456
25% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,169

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied89.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,123
11% below US avg
Effective Rate0.92%
In Chelsea, 30.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 23.3% report depression. 18.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.6%
5% below US avg
Diabetes9.0%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure35.2%
Asthma9.5%
COPD4.8%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.4%
Physical Inactivity18.9%
Depression23.3%
Mental Distress15.7%
Physical Distress10.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.1%
Checkup Rate77.5%
Premature Death6,795/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access74.0%
Healthcare Facilities535

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18

Safety Score

Chelsea has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 55.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

45°F Jan (7°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average64.0°F
19% above US avg
January Average45°F (7°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall55.6 inches
46% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation579 ft (176 m)
Area32.6 sq mi (84.5 km²)
Population Density482/sq mi
Coordinates33.3090°N, 86.6351°W
County FIPS01117
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 44.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (33% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 40.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.9%
D 29%

Winner: Republican by 40.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+44.9%
33% above US avg
High School+96.8%
School Test Score4.40
A+ Education Grade (4.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density482/sq mi
Total Area32.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries14
Healthcare Facilities535
Restaurants436
Retail Stores708

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute34.0 min
Work from Home13.8%

Nearby Cities

Compare Chelsea with another city: