Sylvania, AL

Alabama

Sylvania is a small town in Alabama with a population of 2,005. Residents earn $53,973 per year, which is 28% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
2,005 Population 235/sq mi density
$53,973 Median Income $28,015 per capita
$129,400 Home Value $188,861 Zillow
$638 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$53,973 median income, 3.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$129,400 home value, $638/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
20.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,973
28% lower than US avg
Home Value $129,400
54% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.9%
38% lower than US avg
Median Rent $638
45% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.5%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.6%
0% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.7%
46% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,005
Median Age34.7 yrs
Density235/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 84%

Economy

B+
Median Income$53,973
Per Capita$28,015
Unemployment3.6%
Poverty6.7%
County GDP$3,061M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$129,400
Rent$638
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$188,861

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property1,137/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary54/100K

Health

Obesity35.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.9%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain56.2 in/yr
Elevation1,356 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.9%
High School+82.0%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 87% / D 13%
Commute28 min
Libraries7

Is Sylvania a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sylvania receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Sylvania offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sylvania is $53,973, 28% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.6%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 6.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sylvania is $129,400, 54% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $638 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Sylvania is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,137 per 100,000, 42% below the national average.

Education

20.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Sylvania enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 56.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Sylvania has a population of 2,005 with a density of 235 people per square mile. The median age is 34.7 years, 11% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.9%), with 4.4% Hispanic.

Population

2,005
Total Population
235
People / sq mi
34.7yrs
Median Age
11% below US avg
8.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.8%
Female 57.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Sylvania vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.0%
20% above US avg
Spanish6.0%
55% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sylvania vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sylvania is $53,973, which is 28% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Sylvania vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,973
28% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,015
Avg Weekly Wage$969
IRS Avg AGI$54,891

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.6%
0% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.7%
46% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,482
County GDP$3,061M

Business (County)

Restaurants101
Healthcare134
Retail256
Manufacturing98

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,308
34% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.78%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.7 min
Work from Home1.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Sylvania is $129,400, 54% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $638 (45% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $188,861.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$129,400
54% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$188,861
Median List Price$205,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$205,000
$/Sq Ft$133
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio100.8%
Price Drops20.0%
Inventory5

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$638
45% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied67.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,308
34% below US avg
Effective Rate1.78%
In Sylvania, 35.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.9% report depression. 27.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.5%
11% above US avg
Diabetes11.1%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure37.1%
Asthma10.0%
COPD7.5%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.6%
Physical Inactivity27.3%
Depression26.9%
Mental Distress19.0%
Physical Distress14.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.4%
Checkup Rate76.3%
Premature Death11,969/100K

Food & Exercise

Exercise Access38.7%
Healthcare Facilities134
Sylvania has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,137 per 100,000 (42% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,137.0/100K
42% below US avg
Burglary54.1/100K
Theft974.6/100K
Vehicle Theft108.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)21
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Sylvania has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 56.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average58.8°F
9% above US avg
January Average40°F (4°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall56.2 inches
48% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,356 ft (413 m)
Area8.5 sq mi (22.1 km²)
Population Density235/sq mi
Coordinates34.5620°N, 85.8047°W
County FIPS01049
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 20.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (38% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 74-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 86.7%
D 12.7%

Winner: Republican by 74 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.9%
38% below US avg
High School+82.0%
School Test Score4.40
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density235/sq mi
Total Area8.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities134
Restaurants101
Retail Stores256

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)21
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.7 min
Work from Home1.4%

Nearby Cities

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