Phenix City, AL

Alabama · Metropolitan Area

Phenix City is a mid-size city in Alabama with a population of 38,477. Residents earn $49,715 per year, which is 34% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
38,477 Population 1,371/sq mi density
$49,715 Median Income $30,523 per capita
$160,000 Home Value $205,918 Zillow
$926 Median Rent
67°F Avg Temperature
644 Violent Crime/100K 5,818 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$49,715 median income, 3.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$160,000 home value, $926/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
644 violent crimes/100K (69% above avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,715
34% lower than US avg
Home Value $160,000
43% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 644/100K
69% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.3%
31% lower than US avg
Median Rent $926
20% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.4%
35% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.5%
3% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.8%
60% higher than US avg

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

People

Population38,477
Median Age35.8 yrs
Density1,371/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 44%

Economy

B
Median Income$49,715
Per Capita$30,523
Unemployment3.5%
Poverty19.8%
County GDP$2,313M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$160,000
Rent$926
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$205,918

Crime

F
Violent644/100K
Property5,818/100K
Murder10.3/100K
Assault429/100K
Burglary1,551/100K

Health

Obesity43.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.1%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp67°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain54.0 in/yr
Elevation358 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.3%
High School+88.6%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 49% / D 50%
Commute21 min
EV Stations8
Libraries1

Is Phenix City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Phenix City receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Phenix City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Phenix City is $49,715, 34% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.5%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 19.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Phenix City is $160,000, 43% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $926 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 644 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 5,818 per 100,000, 197% above the national average.

Education

23.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Phenix City enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F. Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 54.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Phenix City has a population of 38,477 with a density of 1,371 people per square mile. The median age is 35.8 years, 8% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (46.3%), with 44% White, 1.1% Hispanic.

Population

38,477
Total Population
1,371
People / sq mi
35.8yrs
Median Age
8% below US avg
28.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.4%
Female 52.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Phenix City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.6%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.4%
52% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Phenix City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Phenix City is $49,715, which is 34% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 19.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Phenix City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,715
34% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,523
Avg Weekly Wage$913
IRS Avg AGI$47,521

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.5%
3% below US avg
Poverty Rate19.8%
60% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,202
County GDP$2,313M

Business (County)

Restaurants99
Healthcare71
Retail172
Manufacturing35

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,623
54% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.01%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.0 min
Work from Home9.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Phenix City is $160,000, 43% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $926 (20% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $205,918.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$160,000
43% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$205,918

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$926
20% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,323

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied51.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,623
54% below US avg
Effective Rate1.01%
In Phenix City, 43.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.1% report depression. 32.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Phenix City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.4%
35% above US avg
Diabetes15.7%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure43.9%
Asthma11.2%
COPD8.3%
Stroke4.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.5%
Physical Inactivity32.7%
Depression24.1%
Mental Distress19.6%
Physical Distress15.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.3%
Checkup Rate79.9%
Premature Death14,160/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.7/10
Exercise Access59.5%
Healthcare Facilities71
Phenix City has a violent crime rate of 644 per 100,000 residents, 69% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,818 per 100,000 (197% above US avg). The murder rate is 10.3 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent643.9/100K
69% above US avg
Murder10.3/100K
64% above US avg
Rape75.0/100K
Robbery129.3/100K
Assault429.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,818.0/100K
197% above US avg
Burglary1,551.5/100K
Theft3,527.0/100K
Vehicle Theft739.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Phenix City has an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation is 54.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

49°F Jan (9°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average66.5°F
23% above US avg
January Average49°F (9°C)
July Average83°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall54.0 inches
42% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation358 ft (109 m)
Area28.1 sq mi (72.7 km²)
Population Density1,371/sq mi
Coordinates32.4537°N, 85.0310°W
County FIPS01113
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 23.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (31% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 1.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 48.7%
D 50.4%

Winner: Democrat by 1.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.3%
31% below US avg
High School+88.6%
School Test Score4.40
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,371/sq mi
Total Area28.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations8
Alt Fuel Stations9
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities71
Restaurants99
Retail Stores172

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.0 min
Work from Home9.6%

Nearby Cities

Compare Phenix City with another city: