Shorter, AL

Alabama · Metropolitan Area

Shorter is a small town in Alabama with a population of 328. Residents earn $31,250 per year, which is 58% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
328 Population 72/sq mi density
$31,250 Median Income $23,595 per capita
$85,000 Home Value $210,259 Zillow
N/A Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$31,250 median income, 0.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$85,000 home value
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
10.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $31,250
58% lower than US avg
Home Value $85,000
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.9%
68% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 47.3%
47% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.7%
81% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.8%
35% higher than US avg

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

People

Population328
Median Age61.6 yrs
Density72/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 20%
Veterans18.9%

Economy

B
Median Income$31,250
Per Capita$23,595
Unemployment0.7%
Poverty16.8%
County GDP$765M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$85,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$210,259

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity47.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.3%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain54.0 in/yr
Elevation192 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.9%
High School+74.2%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 22% / D 78%
Commute19 min
Broadband66.7%
Libraries1

Is Shorter a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Shorter receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Shorter offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Shorter is $31,250, 58% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.7%. The poverty rate of 16.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Shorter is $85,000, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

10.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 74.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Shorter enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 54.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Shorter has a population of 328 with a density of 72 people per square mile. The median age is 61.6 years, 58% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (69.8%), with 20.4% White, 1.8% Hispanic.

Population

328
Total Population
72
People / sq mi
61.6yrs
Median Age
58% above US avg
4.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.4%
Female 46.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Shorter vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.1%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.9%
86% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Shorter vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Shorter is $31,250, which is 58% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 16.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Shorter vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$31,250
58% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,595
Avg Weekly Wage$1,095
IRS Avg AGI$45,025

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.7%
81% below US avg
Poverty Rate16.8%
35% above US avg
Establishments (County)310
County GDP$765M

Business (County)

Restaurants24
Healthcare21
Retail46
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,492
57% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.76%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.3 min
Drive Alone95.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Shorter is $85,000, 70% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $210,259.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$85,000
70% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$210,259

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-Occupied80.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,492
57% below US avg
Effective Rate1.76%
In Shorter, 47.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.3% report depression. 33.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity47.3%
47% above US avg
Diabetes17.0%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure47.5%
Asthma11.4%
COPD7.7%
Stroke4.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking12.6%
Physical Inactivity33.7%
Depression21.3%
Mental Distress19.4%
Physical Distress14.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.0%
Checkup Rate80.8%
Premature Death15,397/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment5.6/10
Exercise Access38.7%
Healthcare Facilities21

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Shorter has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 54.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

45°F Jan (7°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average63.2°F
17% above US avg
January Average45°F (7°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall54.0 inches
42% above US avg
Snowfall0.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation192 ft (59 m)
Area4.5 sq mi (11.8 km²)
Population Density72/sq mi
Coordinates32.4115°N, 85.9728°W
County FIPS01087
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 10.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (68% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 56.3-point margin. 66.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 21.5%
D 77.8%

Winner: Democrat by 56.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.9%
68% below US avg
High School+74.2%
School Test Score4.40
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density72/sq mi
Total Area4.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access66.7%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities21
Restaurants24
Retail Stores46

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.3 min
Drive Alone95.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.6%

Nearby Cities

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