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Sweet Water, AL

Alabama · Marengo County

Sweet Water is a small town in Alabama with a population of 157. Residents earn $65,000 per year, which is 14% below the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
157 Population 67/sq mi density
$65,000 Median Income $67,889 per capita
$177,800 Home Value
$775 Median Rent 17.5% income on rent
66°F Avg Temperature 304 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$65,000 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$177,800 home value, $775/mo rent
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,000
14% lower than US avg
Home Value $177,800
37% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.8%
20% lower than US avg
Median Rent $775
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.8%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population157
Median Age51.9 yrs
Density67/mi²
Male / Female59% / 41%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans7.8%

Economy

A
Median Income$65,000
Per Capita$67,889
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$1,108M
Commute31 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$177,800
Rent$775
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units117
Rent Burden17.5%

Health

Obesity37.8%
Uninsured11.1%
Smoking19.2%
Depression28.1%
Heart Disease6.9%

Climate

Avg Temp66°F (19°C)
AQI41 (Good)
Rain57.5 in/yr
Sunny Days304/yr
Elevation199 ft (61 m)

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.8%
High School+94.5%
Graduate+20.7%
School Score4.28

Community

2024 VoteR 52% / D 48%
Commute31 min
Broadband80.0%
Libraries2

Is Sweet Water a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sweet Water receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Sweet Water stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sweet Water is $65,000, 14% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sweet Water is $177,800, 37% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $775 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

26.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Sweet Water enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. With 304 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 57.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Sweet Water has a population of 157 with a density of 67 people per square mile, spread across 2.4 square miles. The median age is 51.9 years, 33% older than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 40.8% female and 59.2% male. The city is predominantly White (96.2%), with 3.8% Black. English is the primary language spoken at home by 99.6% of residents. 7.8% of the population are veterans, above the national rate of 6.0%. 19.2% of residents have a disability (above the 13.0% national average). 97.1% have health insurance coverage.

Population

157
Total Population
67
People / sq mi
51.9yrs
Median Age
33% above US avg
2.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 59.2%
Female 40.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Sweet Water vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.6%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.4%
97% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sweet Water vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sweet Water is $65,000, which is 14% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $67,889 (above the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $1,027, 28% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. The area has 568 business establishments, including 37 restaurants. The cost of living index is 88.8, below the national baseline of 100 — offering relatively affordable living. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes. 6.9% of workers work from home (below the 15.2% national rate).

Income: Sweet Water vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,000
14% below US avg
Per Capita Income$67,889
Avg Weekly Wage$1,027
IRS Avg AGI$56,967

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)568
County GDP$1,108M

Business (County)

Restaurants37
Healthcare52
Retail98
Manufacturing15

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,588
55% below US avg
Cost of Living88.80 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate0.89%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.6 min
Drive Alone80.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Sweet Water is $177,800, 37% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $775 (33% below the national average of $1,163). Fair market rent ranges from $772 for a one-bedroom to $936 for a two-bedroom apartment. There are 117 total housing units in the city. The median year a home was built is 1969. The average annual property tax is $1,588 (lower than the $3,500 national average). 17.5% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.7x, well within the affordable range.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$177,800
37% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$775
33% below US avg
Rent Burden17.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied90.0%
Renter-Occupied10.0%
Housing Units117
Median Year Built1969

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,588
55% below US avg
Effective Rate0.89%
In Sweet Water, 37.8% of adults are obese, above the national rate of 32.1%. 12.6% have diabetes (above the 10.5% national rate). Heart disease affects 6.9% of residents, above the national average. 39.6% have high blood pressure. 19.2% are current smokers (above the 14.0% national rate). 16.3% report binge drinking. 29.3% are physically inactive, above the national average. 28.1% report depression (above the 20.0% national average). 20.3% experience frequent mental distress. 11.1% of residents lack health insurance (above the 8.6% national rate). The primary care physician ratio is 1:2,374. The dentist ratio is 1:3,749. 47.6% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The food environment index is 6.2 out of 10.

Health Metrics: Sweet Water vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.8%
18% above US avg
Diabetes12.6%
Heart Disease6.9%
High Blood Pressure39.6%
Asthma10.6%
COPD8.9%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking19.2%
37% above US avg
Binge Drinking16.3%
Physical Inactivity29.3%
Depression28.1%
Mental Distress20.3%
Physical Distress15.5%
Short Sleep37.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.1%
Uninsured11.1%
29% above US avg
Primary Care1:2,374
Dentists1:3,749
Mental Health1:2,336
Checkup Rate76.9%
Dental Visits58.3%
Premature Death14,679/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.2/10
Exercise Access47.6%
Healthcare Facilities52
Sweet Water enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 304 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 — making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 57.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 199 feet.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average65.8°F
22% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days304 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall57.5 inches
51% above US avg
Snowfall0.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation199 ft (61 m)
Area2.4 sq mi (6.1 km²)
Population Density67/sq mi
Coordinates32.1046°N, 87.8619°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyMarengo County County
County FIPS01091

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 48°F (9°C) 5.7 in Coldest
February 50°F (10°C) 5.4 in
March 57°F (14°C) 6.9 in Wettest
April 64°F (18°C) 5.0 in
May 71°F (22°C) 4.7 in
June 78°F (25°C) 4.2 in
July 82°F (28°C) 5.6 in Warmest
August 80°F (27°C) 3.9 in
September 75°F (24°C) 3.6 in
October 65°F (18°C) 3.0 in Driest
November 55°F (13°C) 4.6 in
December 48°F (9°C) 5.6 in

Sweet Water has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F — from 48°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 58.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.9") and October the driest (3.0").

Sweet Water is located in Marengo County. It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent, a smaller urban community. 26.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 20% below the national average of 33.7%. 94.5% have completed high school. 20.7% hold a graduate or professional degree (above the 13.1% national rate). Area schools have an average test score of 4.3 out of 10. In the 2024 presidential election, the county voted Republican with 51.6% of the vote, a 3.8-point margin. 80.0% of households have broadband internet access (below the 90.0% national rate). There are 2 public libraries serving the community. 52 healthcare facilities operate in the area. 80.6% of workers drive alone to work.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 51.6%
D 47.9%

Winner: Republican by 3.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.8%
20% below US avg
High School+94.5%
Graduate Degree+20.7%
School Test Score4.28
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density67/sq mi
Total Area2.4 sq mi
CountyMarengo County County

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access80.0%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities52
Restaurants37
Retail Stores98

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.6 min
Drive Alone80.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.9%

Frequently Asked Questions About Sweet Water

What is the population of Sweet Water?

Sweet Water has a population of 157 residents and is located in Alabama. The population density is 67 people per square mile, spread across 2.4 square miles. The median age of residents is 51.9 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 40.8% female and 59.2% male.

Is Sweet Water expensive to live in?

Sweet Water is more affordable than the national average, with a cost of living index of 88.8 — below the baseline of 100. The median household income is $65,000, 14% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $177,800 (37% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $775 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.7x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

What is the weather like in Sweet Water?

Sweet Water enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winter temperatures average 48°F in January, while summers reach an average of 82°F in July. The area receives 304 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 57.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 41.

How is the job market in Sweet Water?

The job market in Sweet Water is very strong, with unemployment at just 0.0% — well below the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $1,027. There are 568 business establishments in the area, including 37 restaurants and food service locations. The average commute time is 31 minutes, and 6.9% of workers work from home.

How much does housing cost in Sweet Water?

The median home value in Sweet Water is $177,800. For renters, the median monthly rent is $775. Fair market rent is $772 for a 1-bedroom and $936 for a 2-bedroom apartment. The average annual property tax is $1,588.

How are the schools in Sweet Water?

Schools in Sweet Water have an average test score of 4.3 out of 10, below typical national benchmarks. Families may want to research individual school ratings. 26.8% of adults in Sweet Water hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.5% have completed high school. 20.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.

How healthy is Sweet Water?

The obesity rate in Sweet Water is 37.8% (above the national rate of 32.1%). 19.2% of adults are smokers. 29.3% are physically inactive. 28.1% of residents report depression. 11.1% lack health insurance (above the national rate). 47.6% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The primary care physician ratio is 1:2,374.

What is transportation like in Sweet Water?

The average commute in Sweet Water is 31 minutes, longer than the national average of 28 minutes. 80.6% of workers drive alone to work, and 6.9% work from home.

What are the demographics of Sweet Water?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Sweet Water is 96.2% White, 3.8% Black or African American. 99.6% of residents speak only English at home. 7.8% of the population are military veterans. 19.2% of residents have a disability. 97.1% have health insurance coverage.

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