Median Income
$73,873
2% lower than US avg
Home Value
$367,000
30% higher than US avg
Violent Crime
375/100K
1% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
38.0%
13% higher than US avg
Median Rent
$1,363
17% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate
33.3%
4% higher than US avg
Unemployment
1.6%
56% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate
12.0%
3% lower than US avg
How Gulf Shores Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population15,785
Median Age50.4 yrs
Density550/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 90%
Economy
A
Median Income$73,873
Per Capita$44,451
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty12.0%
County GDP$13,446M
Commute22 min
Housing
B+
Home Value$367,000
Rent$1,363
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$446,188
Crime
F
Violent375/100K
Property6,086/100K
Murder9.2/100K
Assault247/100K
Burglary1,162/100K
Health
Obesity33.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.3%
Heart Disease5.2%
Climate
Avg Temp67°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain69.0 in/yr
Elevation6 ft
Education
A
Bachelor's+38.0%
High School+95.3%
School Score4.40
Community
2024 VoteR 79% / D 20%
Commute22 min
EV Stations4
Libraries15
Is Gulf Shores a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Gulf Shores receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population. Gulf Shores offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Gulf Shores is $73,873, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.6%. 12.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Gulf Shores is $367,000, 30% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,363 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.
Safety & Crime
Violent crime in Gulf Shores is below the national average at 375 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 6,086 per 100,000, 211% above the national average.
Education
Educational attainment is solid, with 38.0% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 95.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.
Climate & Weather
Gulf Shores enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F. Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 69.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.
Gulf Shores has a population of 15,785 with a density of 550 people per square mile. The median age is 50.4 years, 30% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.5%), with 1.3% Hispanic, 2.7% Black.
Population
50.4yrs
Median Age
30% above US avg
Race & Ethnicity
Gulf Shores vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
| English Only | 92.5% |
| 18% above US avg |
| Spanish | 7.5% |
| 44% below US avg |
Social Characteristics
Gulf Shores vs U.S. Average
The median household income in Gulf Shores is $73,873, which is 2% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.
Income: Gulf Shores vs U.S.
Income
| Median HH Income | $73,873 |
| 2% below US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $44,451 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $984 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $86,909 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 1.6% |
| 56% below US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% |
| 3% below US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 8,757 |
| County GDP | $13,446M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 648 |
| Healthcare | 564 |
| Retail | 1,027 |
| Manufacturing | 181 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $2,800 |
| 20% below US avg |
| Effective Tax Rate | 0.76% |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 22.0 min |
| Work from Home | 16.4% |
The median home value in Gulf Shores is $367,000, 30% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,363 (17% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $446,188.
Home Values
| Census Median | $367,000 |
| 30% above US avg |
| Zillow ZHVI | $446,188 |
| Median List Price | $525,000 |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
| Median List Price | $525,000 |
| $/Sq Ft | $251 |
| Homes Sold | 61 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 96.5% |
| Price Drops | 15.6% |
| Inventory | 499 |
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $1,363 |
| 17% above US avg |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $1,471 |
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $716 |
| 1 Bedroom | $772 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $936 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,206 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,381 |
Ownership & Property
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $2,800 |
| 20% below US avg |
| Effective Rate | 0.76% |
In Gulf Shores, 33.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.3% report depression. 21.1% are physically inactive.
Health Metrics: Gulf Shores vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 33.3% |
| 4% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 9.4% |
| Heart Disease | 5.2% |
| High Blood Pressure | 35.2% |
| Asthma | 9.3% |
| COPD | 5.4% |
| Stroke | 2.6% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| |
| Binge Drinking | 17.7% |
| Physical Inactivity | 21.1% |
| Depression | 24.3% |
| Mental Distress | 16.3% |
| Physical Distress | 11.2% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 85.2% |
| |
| Checkup Rate | 77.4% |
| Premature Death | 8,957/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 7.4/10 |
| Exercise Access | 61.6% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 564 |
Gulf Shores has a violent crime rate of 375 per 100,000 residents, 1% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 6,086 per 100,000 (211% above US avg). The murder rate is 9.2 per 100,000.
Crime Rates: Gulf Shores vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Violent Crime
| Total Violent | 375.2/100K |
| 1% below US avg |
| Murder | 9.2/100K |
| 45% above US avg |
| Rape | 64.1/100K |
| Robbery | 54.9/100K |
| Assault | 247.1/100K |
Property Crime
| Total Property | 6,085.8/100K |
| 211% above US avg |
| Burglary | 1,162.3/100K |
| Theft | 4,713.1/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 210.5/100K |
| Arson | 0.0/100K |
Traffic Safety
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 30 |
Safety Score
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
Gulf Shores has an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 69.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.
Temperature
50°F Jan (10°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 66.5°F |
| 23% above US avg |
| January Average | 50°F (10°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
Precipitation & Snow
| Annual Rainfall | 69.0 inches |
| 82% above US avg |
| Snowfall | 0.1 inches/yr |
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Geography
| Elevation | 6 ft (2 m) |
| Area | 28.7 sq mi (74.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 550/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 30.2758°N, 87.7013°W |
| County FIPS | 01003 |