Rainbow City, AL

Alabama · Metropolitan Area

Rainbow City is a small city in Alabama with a population of 10,213. Residents earn $59,659 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
10,213 Population 398/sq mi density
$59,659 Median Income $39,153 per capita
$203,600 Home Value $245,737 Zillow
$998 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
103 Violent Crime/100K 1,531 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$59,659 median income, 4.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$203,600 home value, $998/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
103 violent crimes/100K (73% below avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,659
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $203,600
28% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 103/100K
73% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.8%
35% lower than US avg
Median Rent $998
14% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.9%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.7%
31% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.7%
38% lower than US avg

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

People

Population10,213
Median Age40.2 yrs
Density398/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 81%

Economy

B+
Median Income$59,659
Per Capita$39,153
Unemployment4.7%
Poverty7.7%
County GDP$3,156M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$203,600
Rent$998
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$245,737

Crime

F
Violent103/100K
Property1,531/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault83/100K
Burglary507/100K

Health

Obesity40.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.7%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain57.4 in/yr
Elevation571 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.8%
High School+84.9%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 82% / D 18%
Commute26 min
EV Stations1
Libraries7

Is Rainbow City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rainbow City receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Rainbow City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rainbow City is $59,659, 21% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.7%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rainbow City is $203,600, 28% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $998 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Rainbow City is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 103 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,531 per 100,000, 22% below the national average.

Education

21.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Rainbow City enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 57.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Rainbow City has a population of 10,213 with a density of 398 people per square mile. The median age is 40.2 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (80.7%), with 2.4% Hispanic, 9.6% Black.

Population

10,213
Total Population
398
People / sq mi
40.2yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
25.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.8%
Female 55.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Rainbow City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.1%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.9%
49% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Rainbow City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rainbow City is $59,659, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Rainbow City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,659
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$39,153
Avg Weekly Wage$989
IRS Avg AGI$70,231

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.7%
31% above US avg
Poverty Rate7.7%
38% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,943
County GDP$3,156M

Business (County)

Restaurants131
Healthcare126
Retail252
Manufacturing74

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,666
52% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.82%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.1 min
Work from Home8.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Rainbow City is $203,600, 28% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $998 (14% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $245,737.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$203,600
28% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$245,737
Median List Price$297,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$297,450
$/Sq Ft$130
Homes Sold7
Sale-to-List Ratio101.2%
Price Drops7.4%
Inventory27

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$998
14% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied64.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,666
52% below US avg
Effective Rate0.82%
In Rainbow City, 40.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.7% report depression. 29.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.9%
27% above US avg
Diabetes12.0%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure38.7%
Asthma10.1%
COPD7.3%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.9%
Physical Inactivity29.1%
Depression25.7%
Mental Distress18.8%
Physical Distress14.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.7%
Checkup Rate77.6%
Premature Death11,878/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access49.2%
Healthcare Facilities126
Rainbow City has a violent crime rate of 103 per 100,000 residents, 73% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,531 per 100,000 (22% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent103.4/100K
73% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape10.3/100K
Robbery10.3/100K
Assault82.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,530.8/100K
22% below US avg
Burglary506.8/100K
Theft941.3/100K
Vehicle Theft82.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)25
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Rainbow City has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 57.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average62.3°F
15% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall57.4 inches
51% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation571 ft (174 m)
Area25.7 sq mi (66.4 km²)
Population Density398/sq mi
Coordinates33.9288°N, 86.0842°W
County FIPS01115
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 21.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 64.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 81.7%
D 17.6%

Winner: Republican by 64.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.8%
35% below US avg
High School+84.9%
School Test Score4.40
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density398/sq mi
Total Area25.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities126
Restaurants131
Retail Stores252

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)25
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.1 min
Work from Home8.7%

Nearby Cities

Compare Rainbow City with another city: