At a Glance
Median Income
$44,250
$29,887 per capita
Home Value
$118,600
Zillow: $200,800
Median Rent
$904/mo
49.0% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
11.6%
84.0% high school+
Unemployment
6.0%
27.5% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
44.8%
16.9% smoking rate
How Cottondale Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Cottondale's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Cottondale a Good Place to Live?
B
3.0 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Cottondale residents earn a median household income of $44,250 , which is 41% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $29,887. The unemployment rate stands at 6.0% (67% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 27.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 5,406 business establishments, including 507 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Cottondale is $118,600 , 58% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $200,800. Median rent is $904/month, with 49.0% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 88.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1979.
Education
11.6% of adults in Cottondale hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(66% below the national average).
84.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.5/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Cottondale has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C).
Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 57.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.
Data Overview
People
Population2,850
Median Age45.2 yrs
Density828/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Foreign Born0.4%
Veterans12.0%
Economy
C
Median Income$44,250
Per Capita$29,887
Unemployment6.0%
Poverty27.5%
County GDP$14,447M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,145
Housing
A+
Home Value$118,600
Rent$904
Ownership79.4%
Zillow$200,800
Housing Units1,635
Rent Burden49.0%
Health
Obesity44.8%
Diabetes13.5%
Smoking16.9%
Heart Disease6.7%
Premature Death10,422/100K
Climate
Avg Temp64°F
Rain57.3 in/yr
AQI37 (Good)
Elevation343 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+11.6%
High School+84.0%
Graduate+1.9%
School Score4.5/10
Community
2024 VoteR 60% / D 39%
Commute22 min
Broadband95.1%
Internet Speed150 Mbps
EV Stations2
Libraries4
Did You Know?
The median home in Cottondale was built in 1979.
The nearest airport is Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International (48 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.471 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
24.6% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 150 Mbps.
There are 507 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 41 fatal vehicle crashes.