Sheffield, AL

Alabama · Metropolitan Area

Sheffield is a small city in Alabama with a population of 9,334. Residents earn $42,097 per year, which is 44% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
9,334 Population 1,335/sq mi density
$42,097 Median Income $26,539 per capita
$127,100 Home Value $128,110 Zillow
$850 Median Rent
61°F Avg Temperature
800 Violent Crime/100K 5,185 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$42,097 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$127,100 home value, $850/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
800 violent crimes/100K (111% above avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
15.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $42,097
44% lower than US avg
Home Value $127,100
55% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 800/100K
111% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.9%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $850
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.3%
29% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 21.1%
70% higher than US avg

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

People

Population9,334
Median Age40.1 yrs
Density1,335/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 68%

Economy

B
Median Income$42,097
Per Capita$26,539
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty21.1%
County GDP$3,559M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$127,100
Rent$850
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$128,110

Crime

F
Violent800/100K
Property5,185/100K
Murder11.0/100K
Assault603/100K
Burglary1,655/100K

Health

Obesity41.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.5%
Heart Disease7.1%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain58.0 in/yr
Elevation486 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.9%
High School+87.7%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 26%
Commute20 min
Libraries5

Is Sheffield a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sheffield is $42,097, 44% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. The poverty rate of 21.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sheffield is $127,100, 55% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $850 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

With 800 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,185 per 100,000, 165% above the national average.

Education

15.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Sheffield enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 58.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Sheffield has a population of 9,334 with a density of 1,335 people per square mile. The median age is 40.1 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (67.7%), with 26.4% Black.

Population

9,334
Total Population
1,335
People / sq mi
40.1yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
7.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50%
Female 50%

Race & Ethnicity

Sheffield vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.6%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.4%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sheffield vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sheffield is $42,097, which is 44% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 21.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Sheffield vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$42,097
44% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,539
Avg Weekly Wage$1,116
IRS Avg AGI$66,980

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate21.1%
70% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,621
County GDP$3,559M

Business (County)

Restaurants115
Healthcare126
Retail229
Manufacturing87

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,751
50% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.38%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.4 min
Work from Home5.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Sheffield is $127,100, 55% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $850 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $128,110.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$127,100
55% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$128,110
Median List Price$122,350

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$122,350
$/Sq Ft$110
Homes Sold6
Sale-to-List Ratio94.6%
Price Drops17.7%
Inventory51

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$850
27% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$923

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,751
50% below US avg
Effective Rate1.38%
In Sheffield, 41.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.5% report depression. 32.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.3%
29% above US avg
Diabetes15.0%
Heart Disease7.1%
High Blood Pressure42.4%
Asthma11.3%
COPD9.4%
Stroke4.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.7%
Physical Inactivity32.1%
Depression26.5%
Mental Distress20.7%
Physical Distress16.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.7%
Checkup Rate78.4%
Premature Death12,370/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.7/10
Exercise Access68.9%
Healthcare Facilities126
Sheffield has a violent crime rate of 800 per 100,000 residents, 111% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,185 per 100,000 (165% above US avg). The murder rate is 11.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent800.2/100K
111% above US avg
Murder11.0/100K
74% above US avg
Rape98.7/100K
Robbery87.7/100K
Assault602.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,184.7/100K
165% above US avg
Burglary1,655.2/100K
Theft3,124.0/100K
Vehicle Theft405.6/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Sheffield has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 58.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average60.7°F
12% above US avg
January Average40°F (5°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall58.0 inches
53% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation486 ft (148 m)
Area7.0 sq mi (18.1 km²)
Population Density1,335/sq mi
Coordinates34.7570°N, 87.6971°W
County FIPS01033
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 15.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 46.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.8%
D 26.4%

Winner: Republican by 46.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.9%
53% below US avg
High School+87.7%
School Test Score4.40
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,335/sq mi
Total Area7.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities126
Restaurants115
Retail Stores229

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.4 min
Work from Home5.8%

Nearby Cities

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