1st Advantage MortgageThe median Calhoun County household earns $55,029, and 18% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Calhoun County at a glance
- Work, industries and travel time in Calhoun County
- Household income in Calhoun County
- Housing costs in Calhoun County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Calhoun County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Room for a loan payment in Calhoun County
- Local borrowing considerations for Calhoun County
- Calhoun County households compared
- Who licenses lenders for Calhoun County residents
- Steps before you apply in Calhoun County
- More guides for Calhoun County
- Frequently asked questions
Calhoun County at a glance
With an estimated 116,090 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Calhoun County ranks 10th of 67 in Alabama for population. Land area is 606 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 192 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Anniston-Oxford, AL metropolitan area. Oxford is the biggest of its 12 Census places, at roughly 22,063 people (19% of the county total).
Work, industries and travel time in Calhoun County
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Calhoun County residents work in education and health care and 19% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 19% locally and 14% for Alabama. The survey's unemployment rate for Calhoun County averages 6.0% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). Long commutes are the exception here: 14% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 6.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Calhoun County | Gap to Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.2% | +0.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.3% | +5.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.5% | +2.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.0% | +0.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.5% | -1.6 pts |
| Public administration | 7.0% | +1.4 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Household income in Calhoun County
Calhoun County households have a median income of $55,029 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 32nd of 67 in Alabama.
| Band | Calhoun County | Compared with Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.8% | +3.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.3% | +3.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.9% | -3.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.0% | -3.7 pts |
About 32% of households earn under $35,000, while 24% clear $100,000. 17.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 15.6%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.457 here. None of these numbers decides a Calhoun County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Housing costs in Calhoun County
Renters in Calhoun County pay a median of $826 a month, 18% below the Alabama figure of $1,007. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 45% of renter households here. With a median value of $156,600, a typical Calhoun County house costs 2.8 times what the median household earns in a year. 70% of Calhoun County households own their home and 30% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1979.
| Cost | Calhoun County | Alabama figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $826/mo | $1,007/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $156,600 | $209,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 70% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 14.7% | 12.3% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 16% | 15% | n/a |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Calhoun County
Here are the 12 most populous of the county's 12 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 73% of Calhoun County residents live in one of the 12. Alexandria has the highest median household income on the list ($85,089) and Anniston the lowest ($46,668), counting places with at least 500 residents. None of the 12 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | city | 22,063 | $74,268 | $925 | 12 mi |
| Anniston | city | 21,271 | $46,668 | $799 | 7 mi |
| Jacksonville | city | 14,437 | $51,814 | $820 | 5 mi |
| Saks | CDP | 10,681 | $49,753 | $898 | 4 mi |
| Alexandria | CDP | 3,475 | $85,089 | $931 | 3 mi |
| West End-Cobb Town | CDP | 3,453 | $55,323 | $779 | 9 mi |
| Weaver | city | 3,324 | $49,435 | $885 | 1 mi |
| Choccolocco | CDP | 2,620 | $78,858 | $858 | 10 mi |
| Ohatchee | town | 1,148 | $76,667 | $796 | 12 mi |
| Hobson City | town | 1,142 | $47,361 | $475 | 11 mi |
| White Plains | CDP | 919 | $60,918 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Nances Creek | CDP | 330 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (19 to 35 miles). Income ranges from $53,863 in Cherokee County to $77,463 in St. Clair County; 4 of these neighbors top Calhoun County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calhoun County | - | $55,029 | $826/mo | 70% |
| Cleburne County, AL | 19 mi | $55,345 | $798/mo | 79% |
| Etowah County, AL | 23 mi | $54,563 | $847/mo | 74% |
| Cherokee County, AL | 23 mi | $53,863 | $762/mo | 81% |
| St. Clair County, AL | 28 mi | $77,463 | $1,084/mo | 83% |
| Talladega County, AL | 34 mi | $57,776 | $785/mo | 72% |
| Clay County, AL | 35 mi | $55,250 | $619/mo | 79% |
Room for a loan payment in Calhoun County
How much room does a median Calhoun County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $55,029 a year is $4,586 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $826, takes 18% of that
- Under a 40% cap, $1,834 total minus rent leaves $1,008
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Local borrowing considerations for Calhoun County
What the Calhoun County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Hospital bills in Calhoun County. For the 10% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- 15% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Calhoun County households compared
College graduates make up 21% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 10.2%, against 9.2% for Alabama.
| Calhoun County | Alabama | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.3 | 39.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.6% | 28.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.6% | 11.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.2% | 9.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.4% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.9% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.9% | 15.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.0% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Calhoun County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 40.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.4% |
| 60+ min | 7.6% |
Who licenses lenders for Calhoun County residents
The Alabama State Banking Department is the place to verify any lender's Alabama license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Alabama: Alabama personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Calhoun County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Calhoun County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Calhoun County-area credit union.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Alabama.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
More guides for Calhoun County
The Alabama guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Calhoun County a high-income county?
Its $55,029 median ranks 32nd of 67 Alabama counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Calhoun County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $826 a month; 45% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Oxford?
Yes, along with the other 11 Census places in Calhoun County, such as Anniston, Jacksonville, Saks.
Are Calhoun 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.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Calhoun County?
Start with the Alabama State Banking Department, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.