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CITY · 2020 ACS

Fort Payne

Alabama · 14,877 residents · 56.406 sq mi
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The short version

Fort Payne has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $42,200. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $130,400. The poverty rate of 24.6% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 36.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 27%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
14,877
+15%since 2000
from 12,938 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
264 / sq mi
+15%since 2000
from 229 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
36.6
+1%since 2000
from 36.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
12K12K13K14K15K1990201020202024Fort Payne
202415K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,200
−16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,560 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,089
+12%since 2000
from $19,690 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
20.8%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 16.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
24.6%
+12.3 ptssince 2000
from 12.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade22.6%
US avg: 10%
Information10%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade6.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services2.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration1.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services1.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$130,400
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $68,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$592
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $415 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
65.0%
−4.0 ptssince 2000
from 69.0% in 2000
35.0% rent
Afford Score
3.1
+52%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Fort Payne on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic80.8%(10,455)
Black4.4%(570)
Hispanic / Latino12.2%(1,574)
Asian0.5%(71)
Other0%
Diversity Score37.7%(4,878)
2020
White, non-Hispanic66.2%(9,852)
Black3.3%(498)
Hispanic / Latino24.6%(3,665)
Asian0.8%(115)
Other3.8%(563)
Diversity Score60.7%(9,028)
Diversity Score
61
+61%since 2000
from 38 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.5%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
76.7%
+10.6 ptssince 2000
from 66.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.9%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.0 min
+75%since 2000
from 11.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.1%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 80.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.0%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.9%
−1.4 ptssince 2011
from 9.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
56.3%
−7.9 ptssince 2011
from 64.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
33.0%
−21.8 ptssince 2009
from 54.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.9%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Female
53.1%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Foreign born
7.9%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
13.7%
−62.6 ptssince 2013
from 76.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Fort Payne to nearby cities

FORT PAYNE VS
Scottsboro
Income$53,929+28%
Home value$190,400+46%
Population16,123+6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FORT PAYNE VS
Rome
Income$54,435+29%
Home value$234,300+80%
Population38,934+156%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FORT PAYNE VS
Boaz
Income$49,846+18%
Home value$199,200+53%
Population10,619−30%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FORT PAYNE VS
Albertville
Income$56,099+33%
Home value$188,400+44%
Population23,710+56%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Fort Payne, Alabama?

Fort Payne, Alabama has about 14,877 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Fort Payne, Alabama?

The typical household in Fort Payne, Alabama earns about $42,200 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Fort Payne, Alabama expensive?

In Fort Payne, Alabama, the median home is worth about $130,400, and the typical rent is about $592 a month.

How educated are people in Fort Payne, Alabama?

About 17.5% of adults age 25 and over in Fort Payne, Alabama hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Fort Payne, Alabama?

About 24.6% of people in Fort Payne, Alabama live below the federal poverty line.

Has Fort Payne, Alabama grown since 1990?

Yes, Fort Payne, Alabama has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,037 residents, a change of about 26 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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