Leighton, AL

Alabama · Metropolitan Area

Leighton is a small town in Alabama with a population of 711. Residents earn $33,214 per year, which is 56% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
711 Population 329/sq mi density
$33,214 Median Income $24,856 per capita
$85,300 Home Value $149,542 Zillow
$436 Median Rent 51.0% income on rent
63°F Avg Temperature
2,654 Violent Crime/100K 5,587 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$33,214 median income, 3.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$85,300 home value, $436/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
2,654 violent crimes/100K (598% above avg)
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $33,214
56% lower than US avg
Home Value $85,300
70% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 2,654/100K
598% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.8%
62% lower than US avg
Median Rent $436
63% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.2%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.2%
11% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 24.6%
98% higher than US avg

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

People

Population711
Median Age48.2 yrs
Density329/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 43%
Veterans6.8%

Economy

C+
Median Income$33,214
Per Capita$24,856
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty24.6%
County GDP$3,559M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$85,300
Rent$436
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$149,542
Rent Burden51.0%

Crime

F
Violent2,654/100K
Property5,587/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault2,235/100K
Burglary2,514/100K

Health

Obesity42.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.6%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain54.2 in/yr
Elevation570 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+12.8%
High School+85.9%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 26%
Commute23 min
Broadband55.6%
Libraries5

Is Leighton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Leighton receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Leighton has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Leighton is $33,214, 56% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 24.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Leighton is $85,300, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $436 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 2,654 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 5,587 per 100,000, 185% above the national average.

Education

12.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Leighton enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 54.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Leighton has a population of 711 with a density of 329 people per square mile. The median age is 48.2 years, 24% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (56.5%), with 43.2% White.

Population

711
Total Population
329
People / sq mi
48.2yrs
Median Age
24% above US avg
2.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.3%
Female 57.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Leighton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.2%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.8%
94% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Leighton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Leighton is $33,214, which is 56% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 24.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Leighton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$33,214
56% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,856
Avg Weekly Wage$1,116
IRS Avg AGI$66,980

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below US avg
Poverty Rate24.6%
98% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,621
County GDP$3,559M

Business (County)

Restaurants115
Healthcare126
Retail229
Manufacturing87

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,751
50% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.05%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.2 min
Drive Alone94.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Leighton is $85,300, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $436 (63% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $149,542.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$85,300
70% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$149,542

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$436
63% below US avg
Rent Burden51.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied65.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,751
50% below US avg
Effective Rate2.05%
In Leighton, 42.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.6% report depression. 33.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.2%
31% above US avg
Diabetes15.4%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure43.9%
Asthma11.8%
COPD8.5%
Stroke4.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.6%
Physical Inactivity33.3%
Depression24.6%
Mental Distress20.8%
Physical Distress15.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.1%
Checkup Rate79.1%
Premature Death12,370/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.7/10
Exercise Access68.9%
Healthcare Facilities126
Leighton has a violent crime rate of 2,654 per 100,000 residents, 598% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,587 per 100,000 (185% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent2,653.6/100K
598% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape419.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault2,234.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,586.6/100K
185% above US avg
Burglary2,514.0/100K
Theft2,653.6/100K
Vehicle Theft419.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Leighton has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 54.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average62.9°F
16% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall54.2 inches
43% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation570 ft (174 m)
Area2.2 sq mi (5.6 km²)
Population Density329/sq mi
Coordinates34.6937°N, 87.5243°W
County FIPS01033
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 12.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (62% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 46.4-point margin. 55.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.8%
D 26.4%

Winner: Republican by 46.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.8%
62% below US avg
High School+85.9%
School Test Score4.40
C Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density329/sq mi
Total Area2.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access55.6%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities126
Restaurants115
Retail Stores229

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.2 min
Drive Alone94.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.9%

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