Cottonwood, AL

Alabama · Metropolitan Area

Cottonwood is a small town in Alabama with a population of 1,091. Residents earn $35,417 per year, which is 53% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
1,091 Population 189/sq mi density
$35,417 Median Income $23,157 per capita
$110,300 Home Value $164,122 Zillow
$335 Median Rent
68°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$35,417 median income, 0.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$110,300 home value, $335/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $35,417
53% lower than US avg
Home Value $110,300
61% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.6%
69% lower than US avg
Median Rent $335
71% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.2%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.8%
78% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.2%
39% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,091
Median Age48.1 yrs
Density189/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 67%

Economy

B
Median Income$35,417
Per Capita$23,157
Unemployment0.8%
Poverty17.2%
County GDP$8,043M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$110,300
Rent$335
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$164,122

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity41.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.5%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp68°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain53.9 in/yr
Elevation152 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.6%
High School+81.0%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 26%
Commute25 min
Libraries4

Is Cottonwood a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Cottonwood receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Cottonwood offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cottonwood is $35,417, 53% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.8%. The poverty rate of 17.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cottonwood is $110,300, 61% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $335 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

10.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Cottonwood enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F. Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 53.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Cottonwood has a population of 1,091 with a density of 189 people per square mile. The median age is 48.1 years, 24% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (67.1%), with 4.6% Hispanic, 26.4% Black.

Population

1,091
Total Population
189
People / sq mi
48.1yrs
Median Age
24% above US avg
5.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.2%
Female 48.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Cottonwood vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.5%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.5%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Cottonwood vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cottonwood is $35,417, which is 53% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 17.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Cottonwood vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$35,417
53% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,157
Avg Weekly Wage$1,029
IRS Avg AGI$70,998

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.8%
78% below US avg
Poverty Rate17.2%
39% above US avg
Establishments (County)3,720
County GDP$8,043M

Business (County)

Restaurants295
Healthcare340
Retail543
Manufacturing105

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,317
34% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.10%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.1 min
Work from Home10.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Cottonwood is $110,300, 61% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $335 (71% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $164,122.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$110,300
61% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$164,122

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$104
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio96.1%
Price Drops66.7%
Inventory3

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$335
71% 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-Occupied65.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,317
34% below US avg
Effective Rate2.10%
In Cottonwood, 41.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.5% report depression. 29.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.2%
28% above US avg
Diabetes13.8%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure40.6%
Asthma10.7%
COPD8.4%
Stroke4.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.0%
Physical Inactivity29.7%
Depression26.5%
Mental Distress20.6%
Physical Distress15.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate78.0%
Checkup Rate78.6%
Premature Death11,251/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access72.2%
Healthcare Facilities340

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Cottonwood has an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation is 53.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

51°F Jan (10°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average67.8°F
26% above US avg
January Average51°F (10°C)
July Average83°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall53.9 inches
42% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation152 ft (46 m)
Area5.8 sq mi (15.0 km²)
Population Density189/sq mi
Coordinates31.0540°N, 85.2996°W
County FIPS01069
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 10.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (69% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 47.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.5%
D 25.7%

Winner: Republican by 47.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.6%
69% below US avg
High School+81.0%
School Test Score4.40
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density189/sq mi
Total Area5.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities340
Restaurants295
Retail Stores543

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.1 min
Work from Home10.1%

Nearby Cities

Compare Cottonwood with another city: