Huntsville, AL

Alabama · Metropolitan Area

Huntsville is a large city in Alabama with a population of 218,814. Residents earn $70,778 per year, which is 6% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
218,814 Population 972/sq mi density
$70,778 Median Income $44,733 per capita
$263,100 Home Value $283,226 Zillow
$1,078 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature 294 sunny days/yr
782 Violent Crime/100K 4,883 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$70,778 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$263,100 home value, $1,078/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
782 violent crimes/100K (106% above avg)
A+
Education
4.7 / 5.0
46.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $70,778
6% lower than US avg
Home Value $263,100
7% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 782/100K
106% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 46.2%
37% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,078
7% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.7%
30% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.8%
22% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.2%
18% lower than US avg

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

People

Population218,814
Median Age36.4 yrs
Density972/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 58%

Economy

A
Median Income$70,778
Per Capita$44,733
Unemployment2.8%
Poverty10.2%
County GDP$38,958M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$263,100
Rent$1,078
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$283,226

Crime

F
Violent782/100K
Property4,883/100K
Murder8.0/100K
Assault511/100K
Burglary1,019/100K

Health

Obesity41.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.2%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain49.3 in/yr
Sunny Days294/yr
Elevation640 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+46.2%
High School+91.6%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 54% / D 45%
Commute19 min
EV Stations55
Libraries11

Is Huntsville a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Huntsville receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high obesity rates. Huntsville offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Huntsville is $70,778, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.8%. 10.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Huntsville is $263,100, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,078 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 782 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,883 per 100,000, 149% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 46.2% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 91.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Huntsville enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. With 294 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 49.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Huntsville has a population of 218,814 with a density of 972 people per square mile. The median age is 36.4 years, 6% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (58.4%), with 1.9% Hispanic, 29.7% Black.

Population

218,814
Total Population
972
People / sq mi
36.4yrs
Median Age
6% below US avg
225.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.9%
Female 51.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Huntsville vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.1%
17% above US avg
Spanish7.9%
41% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Huntsville vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Huntsville is $70,778, which is 6% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Huntsville vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$70,778
6% below US avg
Per Capita Income$44,733
Avg Weekly Wage$1,482
IRS Avg AGI$90,736

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.8%
22% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.2%
18% below US avg
Establishments (County)13,778
County GDP$38,958M

Business (County)

Restaurants895
Healthcare1,126
Retail1,345
Manufacturing287

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,840
19% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.08%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.3 min
Work from Home13.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Huntsville is $263,100, 7% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,078 (7% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $283,226.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$263,100
7% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$283,226
Median List Price$350,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$350,000
$/Sq Ft$162
Homes Sold252
Sale-to-List Ratio97.1%
Price Drops20.6%
Inventory1,037

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,078
7% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,320

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,840
19% below US avg
Effective Rate1.08%
In Huntsville, 41.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.2% report depression. 24.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.7%
30% above US avg
Diabetes12.0%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure37.8%
Asthma9.8%
COPD5.9%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.8%
Physical Inactivity24.5%
Depression22.2%
Mental Distress16.7%
Physical Distress12.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.7%
Checkup Rate79.6%
Premature Death9,054/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access78.2%
Healthcare Facilities1,126
Huntsville has a violent crime rate of 782 per 100,000 residents, 106% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,883 per 100,000 (149% above US avg). The murder rate is 8.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent781.9/100K
106% above US avg
Murder8.0/100K
27% above US avg
Rape55.4/100K
Robbery207.9/100K
Assault510.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,882.6/100K
149% above US avg
Burglary1,019.1/100K
Theft3,475.6/100K
Vehicle Theft388.0/100K
Arson14.9/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)35

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Huntsville has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 49.3 inches. The area enjoys 294 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average62.8°F
16% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days294 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall49.3 inches
30% above US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation640 ft (195 m)
Area225.2 sq mi (583.3 km²)
Population Density972/sq mi
Coordinates34.6977°N, 86.6767°W
County FIPS01089
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 46.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (37% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 53.7%
D 44.7%

Winner: Republican by 9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+46.2%
37% above US avg
High School+91.6%
School Test Score4.40
A+ Education Grade (4.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density972/sq mi
Total Area225.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations55
Alt Fuel Stations70
Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities1,126
Restaurants895
Retail Stores1,345

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)35
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.3 min
Work from Home13.1%

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