Red Bay, AL

Alabama

Red Bay is a small town in Alabama with a population of 3,213. Residents earn $35,587 per year, which is 53% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
3,213 Population 330/sq mi density
$35,587 Median Income $25,853 per capita
$105,500 Home Value $155,645 Zillow
$565 Median Rent
61°F Avg Temperature
256 Violent Crime/100K 2,050 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$35,587 median income, 0.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$105,500 home value, $565/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
256 violent crimes/100K (33% below avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $35,587
53% lower than US avg
Home Value $105,500
63% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 256/100K
33% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.1%
49% lower than US avg
Median Rent $565
51% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.6%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.9%
75% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.1%
30% higher than US avg

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

People

Population3,213
Median Age48.5 yrs
Density330/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

B
Median Income$35,587
Per Capita$25,853
Unemployment0.9%
Poverty16.1%
County GDP$733M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$105,500
Rent$565
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$155,645

Crime

F
Violent256/100K
Property2,050/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault224/100K
Burglary577/100K

Health

Obesity39.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.2%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain61.5 in/yr
Elevation665 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.1%
High School+83.5%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 90% / D 10%
Commute21 min
Libraries1

Is Red Bay a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Red Bay receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Red Bay has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Red Bay is $35,587, 53% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.9%. The poverty rate of 16.1% 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 Red Bay is $105,500, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $565 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Red Bay is below the national average at 256 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,050 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

17.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Red Bay enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 61.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Red Bay has a population of 3,213 with a density of 330 people per square mile. The median age is 48.5 years, 25% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.8%), with 2.4% Hispanic.

Population

3,213
Total Population
330
People / sq mi
48.5yrs
Median Age
25% above US avg
9.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.6%
Female 54.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Red Bay vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.0%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.0%
70% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Red Bay vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Red Bay is $35,587, which is 53% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 16.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Red Bay vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$35,587
53% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,853
Avg Weekly Wage$820
IRS Avg AGI$57,332

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.9%
75% below US avg
Poverty Rate16.1%
30% above US avg
Establishments (County)406
County GDP$733M

Business (County)

Restaurants39
Healthcare37
Retail78
Manufacturing39

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,111
11% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.95%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.5 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Red Bay is $105,500, 63% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $565 (51% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $155,645.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$105,500
63% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$155,645

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$565
51% 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-Occupied62.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,111
11% below US avg
Effective Rate2.95%
In Red Bay, 39.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.2% report depression. 28.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Red Bay vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.6%
23% above US avg
Diabetes11.9%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure37.7%
Asthma10.3%
COPD8.3%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.9%
Physical Inactivity28.0%
Depression27.2%
Mental Distress19.6%
Physical Distress14.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.4%
Checkup Rate76.9%
Premature Death10,759/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access39.4%
Healthcare Facilities37
Red Bay has a violent crime rate of 256 per 100,000 residents, 33% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,050 per 100,000 (5% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent256.3/100K
33% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape32.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault224.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,050.0/100K
5% above US avg
Burglary576.6/100K
Theft1,345.3/100K
Vehicle Theft128.1/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Red Bay has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 61.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average60.6°F
12% above US avg
January Average40°F (5°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall61.5 inches
62% above US avg
Snowfall1.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation665 ft (203 m)
Area9.8 sq mi (25.3 km²)
Population Density330/sq mi
Coordinates34.4361°N, 88.1365°W
County FIPS28057
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 17.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 80-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 89.7%
D 9.7%

Winner: Republican by 80 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.1%
49% below US avg
High School+83.5%
School Test Score4.40
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density330/sq mi
Total Area9.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities37
Restaurants39
Retail Stores78

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.5 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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