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Alabama

Barbour County, AL personal loans: what the local numbers say

By the Personal Loan Compare editorial team · Last reviewed and updated October 28, 2026 · How we write and check

Short answer

In Barbour County, Alabama, the typical household earns $46,042 a year and the typical rent is $688. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Alabama license first.

On this page
  1. Barbour County at a glance
  2. Income in Barbour County compared with Alabama
  3. Employment and commuting in Barbour County
  4. Renting and owning in Barbour County
  5. Barbour County towns compared
  6. The counties around Barbour County
  7. Who lives in Barbour County, in numbers
  8. What the numbers mean for Barbour County borrowers
  9. Budget math at the Barbour County median
  10. Checklist for Barbour County applicants
  11. Licensing and complaints for Barbour County
  12. More guides for Barbour County
  13. Frequently asked questions

Barbour County at a glance

24,643Population (ACS 2020-24)
$46,042Median household income
$688/moMedian gross rent
$112,900Median home value
68%Owner-occupied homes
21%Below the poverty line
885 sq miLand area
40.8Median age

With an estimated 24,643 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Barbour County ranks 41st of 67 in Alabama for population. Spread over 885 square miles, that works out to roughly 27.8 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Barbour County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (6 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Eufaula, with about 12,584 residents, or 51% of the county.

Income in Barbour County compared with Alabama

At $46,042, the typical Barbour County household income is 30% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 54th among Alabama's 67 county-level areas.

Household incomeBarbour Countyvs Alabama
Under $35,00042.6%+14.4 pts
$35,000 to $99,99936.5%-4.6 pts
$100,000 to $199,99917.6%-5.3 pts
$200,000 or more3.3%-4.5 pts

Some 43% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 21% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 21.4% of Barbour County residents in poverty, against 15.6% across Alabama. For a borrower in Barbour 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.

Employment and commuting in Barbour County

The biggest employer of Barbour County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 22% of workers, followed by education and health care (19%). The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 22% locally and 14% for Alabama. The survey's unemployment rate for Barbour County averages 7.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). Long commutes are common here: 23% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 10.5% of the total (5.4% statewide).

Top industriesBarbour County share+/- vs Alabama
Manufacturing21.6%+7.5 pts
Education and health care18.5%-4.1 pts
Retail trade11.4%-0.2 pts
Arts, lodging and food service9.7%+1.6 pts
Public administration8.8%+3.2 pts
Transportation, warehousing and utilities8.2%+2.3 pts

A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.

Renting and owning in Barbour County

Renters in Barbour County pay a median of $688 a month, 32% below the Alabama figure of $1,007. By the Census definition, 37% of Barbour County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $112,900, or 2.5 years of median income. Owners occupy 68% of homes.

Home costsBarbour CountyAlabamaU.S. middle county
Median gross rent$688/mo$1,007/mo$877/mo
Median home value$112,900$209,900$185,300
Owners68%70%75%
Rent-burdened renters37%49%45%
Burdened owners29%24%n/a

Barbour County towns compared

6 Census places fall mainly inside Barbour County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 17,163 residents, leaving about 30% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $21,641 in Clayton to $47,392 in Eufaula. This guide covers each of the 6 places and the rural areas around them.

PlaceTypePopulationMedian incomeMedian rentFrom county center
Eufaulacity12,584$47,392$69815 mi
Claytoncity2,295$21,641$7663 mi
Cliocity1,422$28,750$43416 mi
Louisvilletown518$44,439$53011 mi
Bakerhilltown244$55,114n/a9 mi
Blue Springstown100$46,667n/a15 mi

The counties around Barbour County

Six nearby counties, 23 to 32 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $31,310 in Bullock County to $59,931 in Henry County; 4 of these neighbors top Barbour County's median. Some neighbors are in Georgia. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Barbour County resident follows Alabama rules.

CountyMilesMedian household incomeMedian rentHomeownership
Barbour County-$46,042$688/mo68%
Quitman County, GA23 mi$40,179$918/mo84%
Bullock County, AL24 mi$31,310$556/mo67%
Henry County, AL26 mi$59,931$769/mo79%
Clay County, GA30 mi$49,147$536/mo78%
Russell County, AL32 mi$51,197$939/mo61%
Pike County, AL32 mi$48,677$856/mo61%

Who lives in Barbour County, in numbers

College graduates make up 11% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 10.3%, against 9.2% for Alabama.

People and householdsBarbour CountyAlabamaMedian county
Median age40.839.341.5
Bachelor's or higher10.6%28.4%22.2%
No high school diploma21.9%11.4%n/a
No health insurance10.3%9.2%7.8%
No vehicle10.5%5.4%5.4%
Work from home6.5%8.8%8.7%
Poverty rate21.4%15.6%13.2%
Unemployment (ACS)7.8%4.7%4.4%
Commute lengthBarbour County
Under 15 min36.9%
15 to 29 min24.5%
30 to 44 min15.8%
45 to 59 min9.4%
60+ min13.4%

What the numbers mean for Barbour County borrowers

The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Barbour County borrowers.

  • Health costs. With 10% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
  • Vehicle repairs. 23% of Barbour County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
  • Mobile home upkeep. 27% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
  • Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 21% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).

Budget math at the Barbour County median

How much room does a median Barbour County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.

  • Start: $3,837 gross per month ($46,042 / 12)
  • Less median rent of $688, which is 18% of it
  • $693: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid

Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.

Checklist for Barbour County applicants

Before you apply, wherever you live in Barbour County:

  • Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
  • Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
  • Verify the Alabama license before giving out your Social Security number.
  • Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.

Licensing and complaints for Barbour County

Consumer lenders serving Barbour County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Alabama that is the Alabama State Banking Department. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Alabama guide covers state rules in more detail.

For statewide rules and data, see the Alabama guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much do households in Barbour County earn?

The median is $46,042; 21% earn $100,000 or more and 43% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.

Is Barbour County expensive for renters?

Median rent is $688 against $1,007 statewide, and 37% of renter households are cost-burdened.

Does this page cover Eufaula?

Yes, along with the other 5 Census places in Barbour County, such as Clayton, Clio, Louisville.

Will a Barbour County address affect my match?

Beyond confirming Alabama as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.

Is there a Barbour County office that licenses lenders?

No, licensing is statewide. In Alabama it is the Alabama State Banking Department.

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