Ray, AL

Alabama

Ray is a small town in Alabama with a population of 488. Residents earn $68,487 per year, which is 9% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
488 Population 52/sq mi density
$68,487 Median Income $30,267 per capita
$142,800 Home Value
63°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$68,487 median income, 26.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$142,800 home value
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $68,487
9% lower than US avg
Home Value $142,800
49% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.6%
30% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.6%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 26.5%
636% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population488
Median Age49.1 yrs
Density52/mi²
Male / Female59% / 41%
Largest GroupWhite 50%
Veterans10.8%

Economy

B
Median Income$68,487
Per Capita$30,267
Unemployment26.5%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$252M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$142,800
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Health

Obesity39.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.2%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F (17°C)
AQI41 (Good)
Rain60.2 in/yr
Elevation699 ft (213 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.6%
High School+91.3%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute20 min
Broadband95.2%
Libraries2

Is Ray a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ray receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, high obesity rates. Ray offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ray is $68,487, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. At 26.5%, unemployment is notably high. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ray is $142,800, 49% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

23.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Ray enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 60.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Ray has a population of 488 with a density of 52 people per square mile. The median age is 49.1 years, 26% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (50.2%), with 3.9% Hispanic, 45.9% Black.

Population

488
Total Population
52
People / sq mi
49.1yrs
Median Age
26% above US avg
9.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 58.8%
Female 41.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Ray vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ray vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ray is $68,487, which is 9% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 26.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Ray vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$68,487
9% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,267
Avg Weekly Wage$988
IRS Avg AGI$57,161

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment26.5%
636% above US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)158
County GDP$252M

Business (County)

Restaurants3
Healthcare5
Retail19
Manufacturing5

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,355
61% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.95%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.2 min
Drive Alone86.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Ray is $142,800, 49% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$142,800
49% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied84.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,355
61% below US avg
Effective Rate0.95%
In Ray, 39.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.2% report depression. 28.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.6%
23% above US avg
Diabetes12.2%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure37.5%
Asthma10.7%
COPD7.7%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.6%
Physical Inactivity28.7%
Depression27.2%
Mental Distress19.9%
Physical Distress14.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Checkup Rate77.6%
Premature Death14,410/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access4.1%
Healthcare Facilities5
Ray has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 60.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

45°F Jan (7°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average62.5°F
16% above US avg
January Average45°F (7°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall60.2 inches
58% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation699 ft (213 m)
Area9.5 sq mi (24.5 km²)
Population Density52/sq mi
Coordinates32.8681°N, 86.0453°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS01037
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 23.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (30% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 43.3-point margin. 95.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.4%
D 28.1%

Winner: Republican by 43.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.6%
30% below US avg
High School+91.3%
School Test Score4.40
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density52/sq mi
Total Area9.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access95.2%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities5
Restaurants3
Retail Stores19

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.2 min
Drive Alone86.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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