1st Advantage MortgageAbout 78% of Baldwin County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $78,775. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- A quick profile of Baldwin County
- Household income in Baldwin County
- How Baldwin County residents earn a living
- Baldwin County housing compared with Alabama
- Baldwin County and the counties next door
- Places inside Baldwin County
- Debt-to-income at Baldwin County's medians
- More Baldwin County figures
- Before borrowing in Baldwin County
- Licensing and complaints for Baldwin County
- Steps before you apply in Baldwin County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Baldwin County
Baldwin County is home to about 246,989 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 4th most populous of 67 county-level areas in Alabama. Land area is 1,590 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 155 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 20 Census places inside Baldwin County, Daphne leads by population with about 29,453; 14 of the 20 are incorporated.
Household income in Baldwin County
At $78,775, the typical Baldwin County household income is 20% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 3 Alabama counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Baldwin County | Gap to Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.2% | -7.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.4% | +0.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.9% | +4.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.4% | +2.7 pts |
Some 21% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 37% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 10.1% of Baldwin County residents in poverty, against 15.6% across Alabama. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.456 here. For a borrower in Baldwin County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
How Baldwin County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Baldwin County residents work in education and health care and 14% in retail trade. Compared with Alabama, the county leans toward retail trade (14% against 12%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.0% in Baldwin County. About 79% drive to work alone and 18% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | Baldwin County share | +/- vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.5% | -3.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.0% | +2.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 12.2% | +2.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.9% | -4.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.7% | +1.6 pts |
| Construction | 8.1% | +1.1 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Baldwin County housing compared with Alabama
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,277 in Baldwin County versus $1,007 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 47% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $316,900, about 4.0 times the median household income. Owners occupy 78% of homes. The median year built is 1999.
| Measure | Baldwin County | Alabama | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,277/mo | $1,007/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $316,900 | $209,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 24% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 25% | 15% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Baldwin County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (27 to 55 miles). Santa Rosa County leads the group on income ($91,922), Escambia County trails ($48,225), and Baldwin County out-earns 5 of the six. Some neighbors are in Florida and Mississippi. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Baldwin County resident follows Alabama rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin County | - | $78,775 | $1,277/mo | 78% |
| Mobile County, AL | 27 mi | $58,880 | $1,052/mo | 66% |
| Escambia County, FL | 27 mi | $67,500 | $1,321/mo | 65% |
| Santa Rosa County, FL | 43 mi | $91,922 | $1,544/mo | 81% |
| Escambia County, AL | 47 mi | $48,225 | $766/mo | 71% |
| Jackson County, MS | 54 mi | $66,201 | $1,101/mo | 73% |
| George County, MS | 55 mi | $59,758 | $844/mo | 82% |
Places inside Baldwin County
The table lists the 14 largest of 20 Census places in Baldwin County, by population. Together all 20 hold about 149,307 people, so roughly 40% of residents live outside any named place. Loxley has the highest median household income on the list ($108,488) and Perdido the lowest ($38,458), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Lillian ($684) and steepest in Fairhope ($1,689). No Baldwin County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 20.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daphne | city | 29,453 | $87,250 | $1,388 | 8 mi |
| Fairhope | city | 24,190 | $94,274 | $1,689 | 12 mi |
| Foley | city | 24,026 | $66,336 | $1,242 | 19 mi |
| Gulf Shores | city | 16,401 | $78,188 | $1,483 | 27 mi |
| Spanish Fort | city | 10,662 | $99,346 | $1,390 | 8 mi |
| Orange Beach | city | 8,407 | $97,736 | $1,576 | 27 mi |
| Bay Minette | city | 8,295 | $44,523 | $782 | 16 mi |
| Robertsdale | city | 7,194 | $59,152 | $996 | 7 mi |
| Loxley | city | 4,357 | $108,488 | n/a | 2 mi |
| Stapleton | CDP | 3,009 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
| Bon Secour | CDP | 2,789 | $61,497 | $961 | 24 mi |
| Elberta | town | 2,293 | $55,000 | $1,059 | 22 mi |
| Summerdale | town | 1,593 | $70,110 | $1,000 | 13 mi |
| Point Clear | CDP | 1,511 | $46,097 | n/a | 15 mi |
Debt-to-income at Baldwin County's medians
How much room does a median Baldwin County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $6,565 a month: gross income for a household at the Baldwin County median
- 19% goes to median rent ($1,277)
- With a 35% ceiling, about $1,021 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,677 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Baldwin County's.
More Baldwin County figures
Degree holders: 34% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 8.3%, against 9.2% for Alabama.
| Residents | Baldwin County | Alabama | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.9 | 39.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 33.7% | 28.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.2% | 11.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.3% | 9.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.7% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.6% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.1% | 15.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.0% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Baldwin County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 24.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.2% |
| 60+ min | 8.3% |
Before borrowing in Baldwin County
A few patterns in the Baldwin County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Vehicle repairs. 18% of Baldwin County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Renters under pressure. When 47% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Licensing and complaints for Baldwin County
Baldwin County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Alabama State Banking Department. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Alabama state guide for the statewide picture.
Steps before you apply in Baldwin County
A short checklist for Baldwin County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Baldwin County.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A Alabama license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Related local guides
The Alabama guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Baldwin County earn?
The median is $78,775; 37% earn $100,000 or more and 21% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Baldwin County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,277 a month; 47% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Baldwin County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 78% of Baldwin County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Baldwin County?
By population: Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores, Spanish Fort. The county has 20 Census places in all.
Are Baldwin County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.