West Jefferson, AL

Alabama · Metropolitan Area

West Jefferson is a small town in Alabama with a population of 527. Residents earn $36,667 per year, which is 51% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
527 Population 282/sq mi density
$36,667 Median Income $24,640 per capita
$136,400 Home Value $149,674 Zillow
$694 Median Rent 45.0% income on rent
61°F Avg Temperature 299 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$36,667 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$136,400 home value, $694/mo rent
D
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $36,667
51% lower than US avg
Home Value $136,400
52% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.7%
80% lower than US avg
Median Rent $694
40% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.2%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.0%
5% higher than US avg

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

People

Population527
Median Age42.8 yrs
Density282/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans4.3%

Economy

B
Median Income$36,667
Per Capita$24,640
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty13.0%
County GDP$2,568M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$136,400
Rent$694
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$149,674
Housing Units279
Rent Burden45.0%

Health

Obesity35.2%
Uninsured11.6%
Smoking18.9%
Depression28.3%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F (16°C)
AQI41 (Good)
Rain61.8 in/yr
Sunny Days299/yr
Elevation412 ft (126 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.7%
High School+90.7%
Graduate+3.1%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 86% / D 14%
Commute28 min
Broadband81.7%
Libraries4

Is West Jefferson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, West Jefferson receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. West Jefferson offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in West Jefferson is $36,667, 51% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. 13.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in West Jefferson is $136,400, 52% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $694 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

6.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

West Jefferson enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. With 299 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 61.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

West Jefferson has a population of 527 with a density of 282 people per square mile. The median age is 42.8 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.2%), with 1.9% Black.

Population

527
Total Population
282
People / sq mi
42.8yrs
Median Age
10% above US avg
1.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 41.6%
Female 58.4%

Race & Ethnicity

West Jefferson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

West Jefferson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in West Jefferson is $36,667, which is 51% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 13.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: West Jefferson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$36,667
51% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,640
Avg Weekly Wage$936
IRS Avg AGI$83,209

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate13.0%
5% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,536
County GDP$2,568M

Business (County)

Restaurants108
Healthcare189
Retail251
Manufacturing54

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,236
36% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.64%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.2 min
Drive Alone87.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.1%

Walkability

The median home value in West Jefferson is $136,400, 52% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $694 (40% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $149,674.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$136,400
52% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$149,674

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$694
40% below US avg
Rent Burden45.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied92.3%
Housing Units279
Median Year Built1974

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,236
36% below US avg
Effective Rate1.64%
In West Jefferson, 35.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 11.6% of residents lack health insurance. 18.9% are current smokers. 28.3% report depression. 29.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: West Jefferson vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.2%
10% above US avg
Diabetes11.9%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure36.5%
Asthma9.9%
COPD8.3%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.9%
35% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.3%
Physical Inactivity29.3%
Depression28.3%
Mental Distress20.3%
Physical Distress14.5%
Short Sleep34.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.9%
Uninsured11.6%
35% above US avg
Checkup Rate75.6%
Dental Visits57.6%
Premature Death18,377/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.8/10
Exercise Access42.1%
Healthcare Facilities189
West Jefferson has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 61.8 inches. The area enjoys 299 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average61.1°F
13% above US avg
January Average41°F (5°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days299 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall61.8 inches
63% above US avg
Snowfall0.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation412 ft (126 m)
Area1.9 sq mi (4.8 km²)
Population Density282/sq mi
Coordinates33.6734°N, 87.0406°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS01127
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 6.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (80% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 71.8-point margin. 81.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 85.6%
D 13.8%

Winner: Republican by 71.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.7%
80% below US avg
High School+90.7%
Graduate Degree+3.1%
School Test Score4.40
D Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density282/sq mi
Total Area1.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access81.7%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities189
Restaurants108
Retail Stores251

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.2 min
Drive Alone87.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.1%

Nearby Cities

Dora, AL 2,617 pop · 4.4 mi Sumiton, AL 2,506 pop · 5.3 mi Adamsville, AL 4,291 pop · 6.3 mi Graysville, AL 2,600 pop · 6.3 mi Brookside, AL 1,200 pop · 8.2 mi Mount Olive CDP (Jefferson County), AL 3,449 pop · 9.5 mi Sylvan Springs, AL 1,559 pop · 9.9 mi Forestdale, AL 9,149 pop · 10.6 mi Cordova, AL 1,723 pop · 11.0 mi Pleasant Grove, AL 9,502 pop · 12.9 mi Gardendale, AL 16,110 pop · 13.3 mi Rock Creek, AL 1,313 pop · 13.8 mi Fultondale, AL 9,753 pop · 14.3 mi Parrish, AL 1,093 pop · 14.4 mi
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