Lowest-earning counties in Alabama

Written by:
July 14, 2022
Canva

Lowest-earning counties in Alabama

Americans on the whole were doing well financially heading into 2020, with major markers like unemployment reaching 50-year lows. The pandemic changed all that: During the second quarter of the 2020 fiscal year, our nation’s real GDP fell by a whopping 31.4%, a number that hasn’t been seen since the Great Depression. Since then the GDP has recovered, the first quarter of 2022 was 11% above the fourth quarter of 2019.

While GDP has recovered since the height of the pandemic, wage growth has not kept pace with inflation. In 2021 average hourly wages increased 4.7% while there was 7% inflation, meaning the worker’s purchasing power dropped by 2.4%.

Where you live can make a big impact on your financial situation. The highest earning county in the U.S. earns $147,111, while the lowest earns $22,292. Stacker compiled a list of the lowest-earning counties in Alabama using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the Census’ 2020 5-year estimate median household income.

You may also like: States where people in Alabama are getting new jobs

1 / 50
Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Calhoun County

- Median household income: $50,128
--- 3.7% below state average, 22.9% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 18.8%
--- #1,821 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 14.1%
--- #1,223 highest among all counties nationwide
2 / 50
Altairisfar // Wikicommons

#49. Mobile County

- Median household income: $49,625
--- 4.6% below state average, 23.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 20.0%
--- #1,607 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 14.2%
--- #1,166 highest among all counties nationwide
3 / 50
Carol M. Highsmith/Library of Congress // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Houston County

- Median household income: $49,069
--- 5.7% below state average, 24.5% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 20.9%
--- #1,466 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.9%
--- #1,108 highest among all counties nationwide
4 / 50
Rudi Weikard // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Blount County

- Median household income: $48,922
--- 6.0% below state average, 24.7% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 20.0%
--- #1,607 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 14.7%
--- #1,090 highest among all counties nationwide
5 / 50
Wayne James // Shutterstock

#46. Lauderdale County

- Median household income: $48,428
--- 6.9% below state average, 25.5% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 18.6%
--- #1,855 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.8%
--- #1,043 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Recipes from Alabama

6 / 50
Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Cullman County

- Median household income: $48,388
--- 7.0% below state average, 25.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 17.0%
--- #2,143 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.4%
--- #1,039 highest among all counties nationwide
7 / 50
Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Tallapoosa County

- Median household income: $48,160
--- 7.4% below state average, 25.9% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 15.7%
--- #2,389 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 16.3%
--- #1,016 highest among all counties nationwide
8 / 50
Dailynetworks // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Colbert County

- Median household income: $47,962
--- 7.8% below state average, 26.2% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 16.2%
--- #2,294 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 14.8%
--- #995 highest among all counties nationwide
9 / 50
Canva

#42. Lawrence County

- Median household income: $47,125
--- 9.4% below state average, 27.5% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 18.6%
--- #1,855 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.9%
--- #926 highest among all counties nationwide
10 / 50
Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Cleburne County

- Median household income: $46,320
--- 11.0% below state average, 28.7% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 15.4%
--- #2,457 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 14.9%
--- #845 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Counties with the oldest homes in Alabama

11 / 50
Canva

#40. Walker County

- Median household income: $45,833
--- 11.9% below state average, 29.5% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 16.0%
--- #2,330 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 15.1%
--- #802 highest among all counties nationwide
12 / 50
Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Dale County

- Median household income: $45,644
--- 12.3% below state average, 29.8% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 15.9%
--- #2,358 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 15.1%
--- #785 highest among all counties nationwide
13 / 50
Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Randolph County

- Median household income: $45,141
--- 13.2% below state average, 30.5% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 17.4%
--- #2,072 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 17.7%
--- #746 highest among all counties nationwide
14 / 50
Prestinian // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Etowah County

- Median household income: $44,934
--- 13.6% below state average, 30.9% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 17.0%
--- #2,143 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 14.2%
--- #725 highest among all counties nationwide
15 / 50
Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Butler County

- Median household income: $44,850
--- 13.8% below state average, 31.0% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 19.6%
--- #1,674 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 15.7%
--- #718 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Alabama is the #10 state that will be the most affected if Roe v. Wade is overturned

16 / 50
Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Talladega County

- Median household income: $43,969
--- 15.5% below state average, 32.3% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 15.9%
--- #2,347 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 16.1%
--- #646 highest among all counties nationwide
17 / 50
Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Chambers County

- Median household income: $43,875
--- 15.7% below state average, 32.5% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 13.5%
--- #2,715 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.5%
--- #638 highest among all counties nationwide
18 / 50
Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Coosa County

- Median household income: $43,571
--- 16.3% below state average, 33.0% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 15.5%
--- #2,443 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.6%
--- #613 highest among all counties nationwide
19 / 50
Myself - Nathon Morris // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Lamar County

- Median household income: $42,688
--- 18.0% below state average, 34.3% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 16.8%
--- #2,179 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 19.4%
--- #548 highest among all counties nationwide
20 / 50
JNix // Shutterstock

#31. Clay County

- Median household income: $42,678
--- 18.0% below state average, 34.3% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 16.7%
--- #2,200 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 16.3%
--- #547 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Highest-earning counties in Alabama

21 / 50
Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Crenshaw County

- Median household income: $42,611
--- 18.1% below state average, 34.4% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 16.8%
--- #2,179 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 18.6%
--- #541 highest among all counties nationwide
22 / 50
Springfieldohio // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Jackson County

- Median household income: $42,578
--- 18.2% below state average, 34.5% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 15.7%
--- #2,395 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 16.1%
--- #538 highest among all counties nationwide
23 / 50
Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Covington County

- Median household income: $42,566
--- 18.2% below state average, 34.5% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 15.5%
--- #2,430 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 18.3%
--- #537 highest among all counties nationwide
24 / 50
Rudi Weikard // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Cherokee County

- Median household income: $42,509
--- 18.3% below state average, 34.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 16.3%
--- #2,267 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.7%
--- #533 highest among all counties nationwide
25 / 50
Idawriter // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Washington County

- Median household income: $42,331
--- 18.6% below state average, 34.9% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 23.0%
--- #1,126 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 20.0%
--- #523 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Highest rated IPAs in Alabama

26 / 50
Canva

#25. DeKalb County

- Median household income: $42,267
--- 18.8% below state average, 35.0% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 13.8%
--- #2,670 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 14.6%
--- #515 highest among all counties nationwide
27 / 50
Rivers Langley SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Russell County

- Median household income: $42,208
--- 18.9% below state average, 35.1% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 14.6%
--- #2,565 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 18.4%
--- #509 highest among all counties nationwide
28 / 50
Wmr36104 // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Geneva County

- Median household income: $41,569
--- 20.1% below state average, 36.0% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 15.0%
--- #2,504 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 16.6%
--- #455 highest among all counties nationwide
29 / 50
Canva

#22. Fayette County

- Median household income: $41,469
--- 20.3% below state average, 36.2% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 11.5%
--- #2,922 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 18.0%
--- #445 highest among all counties nationwide
30 / 50
Rudi Weikard // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Franklin County

- Median household income: $41,174
--- 20.9% below state average, 36.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 12.3%
--- #2,829 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.6%
--- #431 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Zip codes with the most expensive homes in Alabama

31 / 50
Canva

#20. Winston County

- Median household income: $40,991
--- 21.2% below state average, 36.9% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 13.2%
--- #2,733 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 16.2%
--- #416 highest among all counties nationwide
32 / 50
Rudi Weikard // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Marion County

- Median household income: $40,978
--- 21.2% below state average, 37.0% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 11.9%
--- #2,887 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 18.6%
--- #415 highest among all counties nationwide
33 / 50
Public Domain

#18. Pickens County

- Median household income: $40,362
--- 22.4% below state average, 37.9% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 16.7%
--- #2,200 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 19.0%
--- #375 highest among all counties nationwide
34 / 50
Kreeder13 // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Pike County

- Median household income: $39,218
--- 24.6% below state average, 39.7% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 18.6%
--- #1,855 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 19.6%
--- #313 highest among all counties nationwide
35 / 50
Altairisfar // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Clarke County

- Median household income: $37,345
--- 28.2% below state average, 42.5% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 16.9%
--- #2,165 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 22.1%
--- #228 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Most popular boy names in the 60s in Alabama

36 / 50
RuralSWAlabama (Billy Milstead) // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Choctaw County

- Median household income: $36,634
--- 29.6% below state average, 43.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 15.7%
--- #2,389 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 17.7%
--- #196 highest among all counties nationwide
37 / 50
Canva

#14. Escambia County

- Median household income: $35,558
--- 31.7% below state average, 45.3% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 10.7%
--- #2,981 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 22.7%
--- #162 highest among all counties nationwide
38 / 50
Mccallk69 // Shutterstock

#13. Macon County

- Median household income: $35,450
--- 31.9% below state average, 45.5% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 12.9%
--- #2,775 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 20.9%
--- #158 highest among all counties nationwide
39 / 50
Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Conecuh County

- Median household income: $35,444
--- 31.9% below state average, 45.5% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 10.7%
--- #2,983 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 18.5%
--- #157 highest among all counties nationwide
40 / 50
Canva

#11. Wilcox County

- Median household income: $35,063
--- 32.6% below state average, 46.1% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 11.2%
--- #2,956 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 26.0%
--- #144 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Counties with highest COVID-19 infection rates in Alabama

41 / 50
Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Barbour County

- Median household income: $34,990
--- 32.8% below state average, 46.2% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 13.9%
--- #2,658 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 22.2%
--- #139 highest among all counties nationwide
42 / 50
Canva

#9. Bullock County

- Median household income: $33,866
--- 34.9% below state average, 47.9% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 16.5%
--- #2,226 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 28.0%
--- #114 highest among all counties nationwide
43 / 50
Altairisfar // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Lowndes County

- Median household income: $33,634
--- 35.4% below state average, 48.3% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 12.5%
--- #2,807 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 22.7%
--- #108 highest among all counties nationwide
44 / 50
DXR // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Dallas County

- Median household income: $33,317
--- 36.0% below state average, 48.7% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 11.2%
--- #2,956 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 23.9%
--- #101 highest among all counties nationwide
45 / 50
Canva

#6. Marengo County

- Median household income: $33,029
--- 36.5% below state average, 49.2% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 16.2%
--- #2,294 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 24.3%
--- #96 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Highest-rated breweries in Alabama

46 / 50
Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Monroe County

- Median household income: $31,969
--- 38.6% below state average, 50.8% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 13.2%
--- #2,733 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 27.3%
--- #70 highest among all counties nationwide
47 / 50
Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Hale County

- Median household income: $30,793
--- 40.8% below state average, 52.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 14.0%
--- #2,643 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 27.3%
--- #51 highest among all counties nationwide
48 / 50
Canva

#3. Greene County

- Median household income: $26,688
--- 48.7% below state average, 58.9% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 6.8%
--- #3,118 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 28.7%
--- #16 highest among all counties nationwide
49 / 50
Canva

#2. Sumter County

- Median household income: $26,150
--- 49.7% below state average, 59.8% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 8.1%
--- #3,088 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 26.5%
--- #15 highest among all counties nationwide
50 / 50
Canva

#1. Perry County

- Median household income: $23,875
--- 54.1% below state average, 63.3% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 7.1%
--- #3,114 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 31.4%
--- #3 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: More days of dangerous heat: How climate change has affected Alabama

Trending Now