Sanford, AL

Alabama

Sanford is a small town in Alabama with a population of 228. Residents earn $28,393 per year, which is 62% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
228 Population 55/sq mi density
$28,393 Median Income $16,636 per capita
$162,500 Home Value
$679 Median Rent 38.3% income on rent
69°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.4 / 5.0
$28,393 median income, 0.0% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.4 / 5.0
$162,500 home value, $679/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $28,393
62% lower than US avg
Home Value $162,500
42% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.2%
76% lower than US avg
Median Rent $679
42% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.5%
7% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 44.7%
260% higher than US avg

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

People

Population228
Median Age45.5 yrs
Density55/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans13.9%

Economy

C
Median Income$28,393
Per Capita$16,636
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty44.7%
County GDP$1,662M
Commute18 min

Housing

B
Home Value$162,500
Rent$679
OwnershipN/A
Rent Burden38.3%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity34.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.3%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp69°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain59.1 in/yr
Elevation296 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.2%
High School+78.5%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 86% / D 14%
Commute18 min
Broadband83.0%
Libraries3

Is Sanford a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sanford receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Sanford has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sanford is $28,393, 62% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 44.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sanford is $162,500, 42% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $679 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.7x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

8.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 78.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Sanford enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F. Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 59.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Sanford has a population of 228 with a density of 55 people per square mile. The median age is 45.5 years, 17% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.9%), with 3.1% Hispanic.

Population

228
Total Population
55
People / sq mi
45.5yrs
Median Age
17% above US avg
4.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.4%
Female 45.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Sanford vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.4%
15% above US avg
Spanish9.6%
28% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sanford vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sanford is $28,393, which is 62% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 44.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Sanford vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$28,393
62% below US avg
Per Capita Income$16,636
Avg Weekly Wage$919
IRS Avg AGI$60,353

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate44.7%
260% 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 Rate1.13%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.0 min
Drive Alone97.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Sanford is $162,500, 42% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $679 (42% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$162,500
42% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$679
42% below US avg
Rent Burden38.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied66.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,838
47% below US avg
Effective Rate1.13%
In Sanford, 34.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.3% report depression. 24.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.5%
7% above US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure36.5%
Asthma9.7%
COPD7.0%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.3%
Physical Inactivity24.9%
Depression25.3%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress13.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.4%
Checkup Rate76.3%
Premature Death14,664/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.7/10
Exercise Access57.9%
Healthcare Facilities98

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Sanford has an average annual temperature of 69°F (20°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation is 59.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

52°F Jan (11°C) 84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average68.8°F
27% above US avg
January Average52°F (11°C)
July Average84°F (29°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall59.1 inches
56% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation296 ft (90 m)
Area4.2 sq mi (10.8 km²)
Population Density55/sq mi
Coordinates31.2988°N, 86.3988°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS01039
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 8.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (76% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 72.4-point margin. 83.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 86%
D 13.6%

Winner: Republican by 72.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.2%
76% below US avg
High School+78.5%
School Test Score4.40
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density55/sq mi
Total Area4.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access83.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities98
Restaurants67
Retail Stores179

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.0 min
Drive Alone97.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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