Fort Payne, AL
Full City Profile · Alabama · DeKalb County County
2.8
/5.0
C+
Fair
14,886
Population
264/sq mi density
$48,623
Median Income
$27,039 per capita
$158,100
Home Value
$210,534 Zillow
$670
Median Rent
27.0% income on rent
62°F
Avg Temperature
160
Violent Crime/100K
1,608 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$48,623 median income, 6.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$158,100 home value, $670/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
160 violent crimes/100K
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Fort Payne enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 58.0 inches. The area receives 5.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Temperature
42°F Jan (5°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 62.2°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,403 ft (428 m) |
| Area | 55.8 sq mi (144.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 264/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.4573°N, 85.6894°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | DeKalb County County |
| Nearest Airport | Richard B Russell Regional - J H Towers Field (RMG) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 75.7% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0470 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 8.9 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 80.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 74.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 13.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (5°C) | 5.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 5.3 in | |
| April | 62°F (16°C) | 5.1 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 5.0 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 5.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 4.4 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 3.6 in | Driest |
| November | 53°F (11°C) | 4.5 in | |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 5.6 in | Wettest |
Fort Payne has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 42°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 58.0 inches, with December being the wettest month (5.6") and October the driest (3.6").