River Falls, AL

Alabama

River Falls is a small town in Alabama with a population of 534. Residents earn $33,281 per year, which is 56% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
534 Population 78/sq mi density
$33,281 Median Income $21,536 per capita
$85,700 Home Value
$761 Median Rent 31.1% income on rent
65°F Avg Temperature 313 sunny days/yr
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.6 / 5.0
$33,281 median income, 15.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$85,700 home value, $761/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $33,281
56% lower than US avg
Home Value $85,700
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.8%
74% lower than US avg
Median Rent $761
35% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.1%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 15.7%
336% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 23.3%
88% higher than US avg

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

People

Population534
Median Age40.9 yrs
Density78/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 43%
Veterans6.3%

Economy

D
Median Income$33,281
Per Capita$21,536
Unemployment15.7%
Poverty23.3%
County GDP$1,662M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$85,700
Rent$761
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units278
Rent Burden31.1%

Health

Obesity41.1%
Uninsured11.4%
Smoking19.3%
Depression25.0%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F (18°C)
AQI41 (Good)
Rain60.3 in/yr
Sunny Days313/yr
Elevation244 ft (74 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.8%
High School+89.7%
Graduate+4.8%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 86% / D 14%
Commute17 min
Broadband64.1%
Libraries3

Is River Falls a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, River Falls receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. River Falls has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in River Falls is $33,281, 56% below the national average of $75,149. At 15.7%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 23.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in River Falls is $85,700, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $761 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.

Education

8.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

River Falls enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. With 313 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 60.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

River Falls has a population of 534 with a density of 78 people per square mile. The median age is 40.9 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (57.5%), with 42.5% White.

Population

534
Total Population
78
People / sq mi
40.9yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
6.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.1%
Female 47.9%

Race & Ethnicity

River Falls vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

River Falls vs U.S. Average

The median household income in River Falls is $33,281, which is 56% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 15.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 23.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: River Falls vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$33,281
56% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,536
Avg Weekly Wage$919
IRS Avg AGI$60,353

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment15.7%
336% above US avg
Poverty Rate23.3%
88% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,134
County GDP$1,662M

Business (County)

Restaurants67
Healthcare98
Retail179
Manufacturing33

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,838
47% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.14%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.7 min
Drive Alone82.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in River Falls is $85,700, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $761 (35% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$85,700
70% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$761
35% below US avg
Rent Burden31.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied55.2%
Housing Units278
Median Year Built1980

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,838
47% below US avg
Effective Rate2.14%
In River Falls, 41.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 11.4% of residents lack health insurance. 19.3% are current smokers. 25.0% report depression. 33.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: River Falls vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.1%
28% above US avg
Diabetes14.5%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure42.8%
Asthma11.1%
COPD8.4%
Cancer6.5%
Stroke4.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking19.3%
38% above US avg
Binge Drinking13.4%
Physical Inactivity33.0%
Depression25.0%
Mental Distress20.8%
Physical Distress15.2%
Short Sleep40.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate83.4%
Uninsured11.4%
33% above US avg
Checkup Rate79.3%
Dental Visits49.0%
Premature Death14,664/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.7/10
Exercise Access57.9%
Healthcare Facilities98
River Falls has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 60.3 inches. The area enjoys 313 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average64.9°F
20% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days313 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall60.3 inches
59% above US avg
Snowfall0.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation244 ft (74 m)
Area6.8 sq mi (17.7 km²)
Population Density78/sq mi
Coordinates31.3524°N, 86.5446°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS01039
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 8.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (74% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 72.4-point margin. 64.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 86%
D 13.6%

Winner: Republican by 72.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.8%
74% below US avg
High School+89.7%
Graduate Degree+4.8%
School Test Score4.40
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density78/sq mi
Total Area6.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access64.1%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities98
Restaurants67
Retail Stores179

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.7 min
Drive Alone82.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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