Emerald Mountain, AL

Alabama · Metropolitan Area

Emerald Mountain is a small town in Alabama with a population of 3,387. Residents earn $125,341 per year, which is 67% above the national average.

4.8 /5.0
A+ Excellent
3,387 Population 211/sq mi density
$125,341 Median Income $48,962 per capita
$294,100 Home Value
N/A Median Rent
68°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.8 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$125,341 median income, 1.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$294,100 home value
A
Education
4.3 / 5.0
41.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $125,341
67% higher than US avg
Home Value $294,100
4% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 41.2%
22% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.6%
8% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.6%
56% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.5%
88% lower than US avg

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

People

Population3,387
Median Age33.0 yrs
Density211/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 78%

Economy

A+
Median Income$125,341
Per Capita$48,962
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty1.5%
County GDP$3,118M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$294,100
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity34.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.1%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp68°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain51.8 in/yr
Elevation328 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+41.2%
High School+94.4%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 24%
Commute25 min
Libraries3

Is Emerald Mountain a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Emerald Mountain 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. Emerald Mountain stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Emerald Mountain is $125,341, which is significantly higher than the national average — 67% above $75,149. This places Emerald Mountain among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.6%. Only 1.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Emerald Mountain is $294,100, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 41.2% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 94.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Emerald Mountain enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F. Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Emerald Mountain has a population of 3,387 with a density of 211 people per square mile. The median age is 33.0 years, 15% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (78.4%), with 16.1% Black.

Population

3,387
Total Population
211
People / sq mi
33.0yrs
Median Age
15% below US avg
16.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 43%
Female 57%

Race & Ethnicity

Emerald Mountain vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.1%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.9%
93% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Emerald Mountain vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Emerald Mountain is $125,341, which is 67% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Emerald Mountain vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$125,341
67% above US avg
Per Capita Income$48,962
Avg Weekly Wage$923
IRS Avg AGI$71,200

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.6%
56% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.5%
88% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,787
County GDP$3,118M

Business (County)

Restaurants127
Healthcare105
Retail218
Manufacturing51

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,605
54% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.55%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.9 min
Work from Home6.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Emerald Mountain is $294,100, 4% above the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$294,100
4% above US avg
Median List Price$359,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$359,000
$/Sq Ft$165
Homes Sold6
Sale-to-List Ratio100.8%
Price Drops38.5%
Inventory13

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied96.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,605
54% below US avg
Effective Rate0.55%
In Emerald Mountain, 34.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.1% report depression. 19.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Emerald Mountain vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.6%
8% above US avg
Diabetes9.1%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure34.1%
Asthma9.5%
COPD4.9%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.3%
Physical Inactivity19.5%
Depression23.1%
Mental Distress16.6%
Physical Distress10.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.1%
Checkup Rate79.1%
Premature Death9,508/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access51.1%
Healthcare Facilities105

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Emerald Mountain has an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. Annual precipitation is 51.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

50°F Jan (10°C) 85°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average67.9°F
26% above US avg
January Average50°F (10°C)
July Average85°F (29°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.8 inches
36% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation328 ft (100 m)
Area16.1 sq mi (41.7 km²)
Population Density211/sq mi
Coordinates32.4477°N, 86.0944°W
County FIPS01051
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 41.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (22% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 52.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.6%
D 23.6%

Winner: Republican by 52.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+41.2%
22% above US avg
High School+94.4%
School Test Score4.40
A Education Grade (4.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density211/sq mi
Total Area16.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities105
Restaurants127
Retail Stores218

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.9 min
Work from Home6.1%

Nearby Cities

Compare Emerald Mountain with another city: