Alabama · GEOID 01065

Hale County

2024 ACS 5-year estimates · population 14,829 · 7,594 housing units

Median household income

$39,250

State $65,481

Median home value

$127,600

State $213,194

Median gross rent

$715

State $1,018

Homeownership rate

74.4%

State 70.2%

Renter cost-burden rate

50.1%

≥30% of income

Owner cost-burden rate

23.1%

≥30% of income

Homeowner vacancy

0.4%

Of owner-occupied + for-sale units

Rental vacancy

3.1%

Of renter-occupied + for-rent units

Overall vacancy

25.7%

All housing units

Price-to-income ratio

3.25

Affordable: 2.0–3.0

Section 1

Community Profile

Population, demographics, household composition, and income.

Community Data Summary

	Hale County	Alabama
Population	14,829	5,086,768
Population density (per sq. mi.)	23.03	—
Median household income	$39,250	$65,481
HUD Area Median Income (4-person, 100%)	$93,000	—
Households	5,642	—
Average household size	2.59 people	—
Owner-occupied	74.4%	70.2%
Renter-occupied	25.6%	29.8%
Race	38.1% White · 54.7% Black	0.0% White · 0.0% Black

Source: ACS 5-year 2024 (Tables DP05, S1101, DP04, S1901) and Census Gazetteer (land area); HUD FY2026 Income Limits.

Racial composition

Hale County compared with Alabama.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP05.

Educational attainment (population 25+)

17.6% hold a bachelor's degree or higher (state: 28.4%).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1501.

Median Household Income by Tenure

Owner-occupied vs. renter-occupied household income, county and state.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25119.

Median Household Income by Age of Householder

Median household income by age group of householder.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B19049.

Median Household Income by Number of Earners

Median household income for families with each earner count.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1903.

Household Size

Distribution of households by number of people.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2501.

Income by Number of Earners

Earners	Share	Median income	Attainable monthly housing cost	Attainable home
0 earners	33.4%	$31,250	$781	$85,304
1 earner	29.4%	$52,908	$1,323	$165,922
2 earners	31.1%	$104,413	$2,610	$357,641
3+ earners	6.0%	$128,750	$3,219	$448,232

Attainable monthly housing cost = 30% of gross income ÷ 12. Attainable home price assumes 30% housing budget, 30-yr mortgage at 7%, 5% down.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1903; affordability formula derived.

Households

5,642

Average size: 2.59 people

Households with children

852

15.1% of households

Per-capita income

$26,491

Poverty rate: 21.5%

Section 2

Residential Market Analysis

Housing stock characteristics — tenure, type, age, size, vacancy, rents.

Tenure

74.4% owner-occupied vs. state average 70.2%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP04.

Structure type

Single-family share 55.2% · Missing middle (2–19 units) 6.3%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25024.

Housing stock by decade

35.8% built before 1980 · Median structure age 1,985.00 yrs.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2504.

Housing size mismatch

Compares the share of housing units by bedroom count against the share of households by size — a common diagnostic of housing supply/demand alignment.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Tables B25041 (bedrooms) and S2501 (household size).

Home value distribution

Owner-occupied homes by value bracket. Median: $127,600.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP04.

Monthly Housing Costs

Distribution of monthly housing costs across all occupied units.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25104.

Number of Bedrooms

Housing units by number of bedrooms.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25041.

Median rent by bedroom

Overall median gross rent: $715.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25031.

Renters by age

Number of renter householders by age bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2502.

Owners by age

Number of owner householders by age bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2502.

Vacancy composition

All 1,952 vacant units split into Census's seven categories. Frictional vacancy (units actively on the market) reflects healthy churn. Structural vacancy (seasonal, migrant, other) sits outside the market for year-round residents — high values change how the headline vacancy rate should be read.

Vacant units by type

For sale 0.9% · For rent 2.4% · Seasonal 54.5% · Other 41.4%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25004.

Frictional vs structural

4.1% of vacancy is frictional (for sale + for rent + rented/sold not yet occupied); 95.9% is structural (seasonal + migrant + other).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25004.

Seasonal / recreational share of all housing

14.0%

1,063 units of 7,594 total

⚑ Above the 10% threshold — meaningful pressure on year-round residents from second-home / short-term-rental demand.

"Other vacant" share of all housing

10.6%

808 units of 7,594 total

⚑ Above the 5% threshold — possible indicator of disinvestment, abandonment, or condemned stock.

Section 3

Workforce Housing Needs Assessment

Affordability, cost burden, and the housing options for households in the workforce income range.

Workforce range — ACS median household income

80% MHI$31,400

100% MHI$39,250

120% MHI$47,100

County-wide median from ACS 5-year estimates. A household at 100% MHI in Hale County should be able to afford a home up to roughly — (30% housing budget, default mortgage terms).

Workforce range — HUD Area Median Income

	1-person	2-person	4-person
80% AMI	$52,100	$59,550	$74,400
100% AMI	$65,100	$74,400	$93,000
120% AMI	$78,100	$89,300	$111,600

HUD FMR Area: Tuscaloosa, AL HUD Metro FMR Area. 80% AMI uses HUD's published Section 8 Low Income Limits; 100% is HUD MFI; 120% is the standard workforce convention.

Affordability calculator

Follows the standard 30%-of-gross-income affordability rule.

Income basis Household income Interest rate % Down payment % Taxes & insurance / yr

Affordable monthly—

Affordable home price—

Renter cost burden

50.1% of renter households spend ≥30% of income on rent (24.3% spend ≥50%).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25070.

Owner cost burden by income

23.1% of homeowners spend ≥30% of income on housing. Bars show counts of cost-burdened owners by income bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25106.

Household income — owners vs renters

Distribution of household income for owner-occupied (navy) and renter-occupied (gold) households.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25118.

Section 4

Industry & Workforce Wages

Employment, average wages, and the housing each industry's typical earner can afford in Hale County.

Covered employment

1,847

Across 14 sectors

Establishments

301

QCEW 2024

Avg annual pay (workforce)

$51,660

Employment-weighted across sectors

Top 10 sectors by employment

Annual average employment by NAICS 2-digit sector. Counties with fewer than five covered establishments in a sector may show suppressed totals.

Source: BLS QCEW Annual Averages, 2024.

Attainable housing by industry

Industry	Employment	Avg annual wage	Affordable home price	vs. median value	Affordable monthly rent
NAICS 31-33 Manufacturing NAICS 31-33	369	$84,735	$284,393	+$156,793	$2,118
NAICS 62 Health care and social assistance NAICS 62	277	$35,006	$99,285	−$28,315	$875
NAICS 92 Public administration NAICS 92	253	$37,417	$108,259	−$19,341	$935
NAICS 44-45 Retail trade NAICS 44-45	253	$27,855	$72,666	−$54,934	$696
NAICS 11 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting NAICS 11	186	$53,316	$167,441	+$39,841	$1,333
NAICS 23 Construction NAICS 23	174	$60,588	$194,510	+$66,910	$1,515
NAICS 54 Professional, scientific, and technical services NAICS 54	77	$57,811	$184,173	+$56,573	$1,445
NAICS 61 Educational services NAICS 61	77	$37,980	$110,355	−$17,245	$950
NAICS 48-49 Transportation and warehousing NAICS 48-49	52	$54,620	$172,295	+$44,695	$1,366
NAICS 81 Other services (except public administration) NAICS 81	48	$49,204	$152,134	+$24,534	$1,230
NAICS 56 Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services NAICS 56	40	$33,960	$95,391	−$32,209	$849
NAICS 22 Utilities NAICS 22	22	$88,231	$297,406	+$169,806	$2,206
NAICS 42 Wholesale trade NAICS 42	15	$90,095	$304,345	+$176,745	$2,252
NAICS 51 Information NAICS 51	4	$62,515	$201,683	+$74,083	$1,563

Subsector	Employment	Avg annual wage	Affordable home price	vs. median value	Affordable monthly rent
NAICS 921 Executive, legislative, and other general government support NAICS 921	184	$31,418	$85,929	−$41,671	$785
NAICS 238 Specialty trade contractors NAICS 238	163	$61,218	$196,855	+$69,255	$1,530
NAICS 113 Forestry and logging NAICS 113	98	$64,288	$208,282	+$80,682	$1,607
NAICS 541 Professional, scientific, and technical services NAICS 541	77	$57,811	$184,173	+$56,573	$1,445
NAICS 611 Educational services NAICS 611	77	$37,980	$110,355	−$17,245	$950
NAICS 624 Social assistance NAICS 624	72	$24,544	$60,342	−$67,258	$614
NAICS 112 Animal production and aquaculture NAICS 112	66	$41,656	$124,038	−$3,562	$1,041
NAICS 522 Credit intermediation and related activities NAICS 522	64	$58,788	$187,809	+$60,209	$1,470
NAICS 455 General merchandise retailers NAICS 455	59	$20,356	$44,752	−$82,848	$509
NAICS 332 Fabricated metal product manufacturing NAICS 332	50	$54,605	$172,239	+$44,639	$1,365
NAICS 811 Repair and maintenance NAICS 811	40	$52,037	$162,680	+$35,080	$1,301
NAICS 457 Gasoline stations and fuel dealers NAICS 457	36	$21,997	$50,861	−$76,739	$550
NAICS 456 Health and personal care retailers NAICS 456	34	$48,457	$149,354	+$21,754	$1,211
NAICS 444 Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers NAICS 444	27	$36,519	$104,917	−$22,683	$913
NAICS 491 Postal service NAICS 491	26	$60,258	$193,281	+$65,681	$1,506
NAICS 923 Administration of human resource programs NAICS 923	24	$51,407	$160,335	+$32,735	$1,285
NAICS 221 Utilities NAICS 221	22	$88,231	$297,406	+$169,806	$2,206
NAICS 484 Truck transportation NAICS 484	21	$35,716	$101,928	−$25,672	$893
NAICS 926 Administration of economic programs NAICS 926	18	$48,692	$150,229	+$22,629	$1,217
NAICS 924 Administration of environmental quality programs NAICS 924	15	$54,669	$172,477	+$44,877	$1,367
NAICS 449 Furniture, home furnishings, electronics, and appliance retailers NAICS 449	15	$32,599	$90,325	−$37,275	$815
NAICS 922 Justice, public order, and safety activities NAICS 922	13	$58,096	$185,234	+$57,634	$1,452
NAICS 441 Motor vehicle and parts dealers NAICS 441	7	$40,592	$120,078	−$7,522	$1,015
NAICS 445 Food and beverage retailers NAICS 445	3	$38,496	$112,276	−$15,324	$962

Affordable home price assumes the industry's average earner uses 30% of gross income for housing, with a 30-year mortgage at 7%, 5% down, $2,500/yr taxes & insurance, and 0.5% PMI. Adjust the Section 3 calculator for other terms. Affordable rent is 30% of monthly gross pay.

Source: BLS QCEW Annual Averages, 2024; ACS 5-year 2024 (median home value).

Section 5

Wages by Occupation

Selected essential-worker occupations for the MSA or nonmetropolitan area containing this county — jobs, the 10-year change, wages, and the housing each typical earner can afford. Both jobs counts and wages are reported at the MSA / nonmetropolitan-area level (BLS does not publish OEWS at the county level), so every county inside the same area shows the same numbers. For county-accurate employment totals, see Section 4 above.

Occupational wages and affordable housing

Occupation	2025 jobs	2015–2025 change	% change	Hourly wage	Annual wage	Affordable home price	Affordable monthly rent
Childcare Workers SOC 39-9011	150	(170)	(53%)	$11.54	$24,000	$58,317	$600
Fast Food and Counter Workers SOC 35-3023 · prior-year code differs	2,360	(780)	(25%)	$12.67	$26,360	$67,101	$659
Cashiers SOC 41-2011	2,660	(1,030)	(28%)	$13.31	$27,690	$72,052	$692
Waiters and Waitresses SOC 35-3031	1,650	10	1%	$13.58	$28,240	$74,099	$706
Retail Salespersons SOC 41-2031	2,990	300	11%	$15.80	$32,850	$91,259	$821
Janitors and Cleaners SOC 37-2011	1,120	(590)	(35%)	$15.87	$33,000	$91,818	$825
Office Clerks, General SOC 43-9061	770	(1,070)	(58%)	$16.01	$33,290	$92,897	$832
Home Health and Personal Care Aides SOC 31-1131 · prior-year code differs	1,390	(150)	(10%)	$16.50	$34,310	$96,694	$858
Construction Laborers SOC 47-2061	1,110	670	152%	$17.71	$36,840	$106,111	$921
Tellers SOC 43-3071	300	(150)	(33%)	$18.06	$37,550	$108,754	$939
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General SOC 49-9071	770	40	5%	$20.02	$41,630	$123,941	$1,041
Carpenters SOC 47-2031	260	(230)	(47%)	$23.87	$49,650	$153,795	$1,241
Paramedics SOC 29-2043 · prior-year code differs	80	(70)	(47%)	$25.23	$52,480	$164,329	$1,312
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers SOC 53-3032	1,440	(90)	(6%)	$26.10	$54,280	$171,029	$1,357
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education SOC 25-2021	1,150	400	53%	—	$57,100	$181,526	$1,428
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters SOC 47-2152	370	110	42%	$28.26	$58,790	$187,817	$1,470
Electricians SOC 47-2111	560	(290)	(34%)	$28.38	$59,040	$188,747	$1,476
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers SOC 33-3051	710	40	6%	$29.92	$62,240	$200,659	$1,556
Firefighters SOC 33-2011	450	—	—	$30.95	$64,370	$208,587	$1,609
Registered Nurses SOC 29-1141	2,590	190	8%	$37.90	$78,840	$262,450	$1,971

Affordable home price uses the same Section 3 formula (30% housing budget, 30-year mortgage at 7%, 5% down, $2,500/yr T&I, 0.5% PMI). Affordable rent is 30% of monthly wages. Negative job-change values are shown in red parentheses. A "prior-year code differs" note flags occupations whose SOC code changed between the two vintages (2010 SOC → 2018 SOC) — the change estimate is best-effort.

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 (10-year change vs. May 2015). Jobs counts and wages reflect the MSA or nonmetropolitan area containing this county, not the county alone — OEWS is not published at the county level.

Methodology & sources

All figures derive from the 2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. State and national comparisons are population-weighted aggregates of county-level estimates (an approximation; ACS publishes its own state and national medians which can differ slightly).

The affordability calculator uses a 30% housing-budget rule with a 30-year mortgage. Defaults are 7% interest, 5% down, $2,500/year taxes and insurance, and 0.5% PMI — adjustable above.

Variables: 01065 · pulled from Full Housing Data Table.xlsx.