1st Advantage MortgageIn Choctaw County, Alabama, the typical household earns $47,813 a year and the typical rent is $543. County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Choctaw County, and confirm each one's Alabama license.
On this page
- Who lives in Choctaw County
- Housing costs in Choctaw County
- Choctaw County industries and commutes
- Where Choctaw County differs from the rest of Alabama
- Income in Choctaw County compared with Alabama
- Towns and communities in Choctaw County
- How Choctaw County compares with nearby counties
- What a median Choctaw County budget can carry
- Local borrowing considerations for Choctaw County
- Choctaw County demographics against Alabama
- Alabama lender licensing
- Checklist for Choctaw County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Choctaw County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Choctaw County's population at 12,380; only 58 of Alabama's 67 county-level areas are larger. It covers 913 square miles of land, or about 14 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Largest place: Butler, about 2,386 residents (19% of Choctaw County); 8 Census places in all.
Housing costs in Choctaw County
$543 a month is the median gross rent in Choctaw County, 46% below the state. About 4 in 10 Choctaw County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $123,400, about 2.6 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 82%. Nationally, Choctaw County's $543 rent is 38% below the middle county.
| Housing | Choctaw County | Alabama statewide | Choctaw County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacant units | 27% | 15% | +12.5 pts |
| Owners | 82% | 70% | +12.2 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 49% | -11.3 pts |
| Median gross rent | $543/mo | $1,007/mo | 46% lower |
| Median home value | $123,400 | $209,900 | 41% lower |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 24% | -0.2 pts |
At a $123,400 median value, many Choctaw County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured).
Choctaw County industries and commutes
The biggest employer of Choctaw County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 22% of workers, followed by manufacturing (20%). Choctaw County over-indexes on manufacturing: 20% versus 14% in Alabama. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 31%; under 15 minutes: 26%.
| Top industries | Choctaw County share | +/- vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.2% | -0.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 20.4% | +6.3 pts |
| Construction | 12.9% | +5.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.2% | -1.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.5% | +1.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 4.9% | -3.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Where Choctaw County differs from the rest of Alabama
- On the share of mobile homes, Choctaw County sits near the top of Alabama at 38.9%, 2nd highest of 67. Manufactured homes often do not qualify for home equity loans, so unsecured loans fill the gap.
- Homeownership: 82% in Choctaw County. Only 2 of 67 Alabama counties are higher. An owner-heavy county means repairs are a common reason to borrow.
- Choctaw County ranks 3rd highest of 67 Alabama counties for the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 31%, against 15% statewide. Long drives make car repairs a common emergency; get two written quotes.
- Choctaw County ranks 2nd lowest of 67 Alabama counties for median gross rent: $543/mo, against $1,007/mo statewide. Cheaper housing gives many renters more slack in a budget.
Income in Choctaw County compared with Alabama
$47,813 is the median household income for Choctaw County, set against $63,999 for Alabama. In the state ranking that is 52nd of 67.
| Household income | Choctaw County | vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 38.2% | +10.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.9% | -1.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.7% | -3.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.2% | -5.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 22% of Choctaw County households make $100,000 or more, and 38% make less than $35,000. Choctaw County counts about 2,042 residents below the poverty line, 16.5% of the population. Gini index for Choctaw County: 0.456. For a borrower in Choctaw 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.
Towns and communities in Choctaw County
Places, by size: the top 8 of 8. Roughly 56% of Choctaw County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Gilbertown has the highest median household income on the list ($70,156) and Pennington the lowest ($29,052), counting places with at least 500 residents. This guide covers each of the 8 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butler | town | 2,386 | $47,350 | $744 | 8 mi |
| Gilbertown | town | 770 | $70,156 | $983 | 9 mi |
| Pennington | town | 591 | $29,052 | $385 | 19 mi |
| Silas | town | 559 | $66,250 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Lisman | town | 437 | $38,235 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Cullomburg | CDP | 363 | n/a | n/a | 19 mi |
| Toxey | town | 239 | $62,857 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Needham | town | 79 | $87,500 | n/a | 5 mi |
How Choctaw County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Choctaw County's, from 26 to 40 miles away. Income ranges from $37,619 in Wayne County to $61,042 in Washington County; 3 of these neighbors top Choctaw County's median. The list crosses into Mississippi, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choctaw County | - | $47,813 | $543/mo | 82% |
| Clarke County, MS | 26 mi | $46,108 | $801/mo | 82% |
| Marengo County, AL | 32 mi | $43,825 | $716/mo | 70% |
| Clarke County, AL | 33 mi | $49,249 | $782/mo | 71% |
| Wayne County, MS | 35 mi | $37,619 | $784/mo | 85% |
| Lauderdale County, MS | 37 mi | $50,817 | $953/mo | 65% |
| Washington County, AL | 40 mi | $61,042 | $655/mo | 86% |
What a median Choctaw County budget can carry
DTI math using Choctaw County medians ($47,813 income, $543 rent):
- Monthly gross at the median, Choctaw County: $3,984
- Less median rent of $543, which is 14% of it
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,170 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Local borrowing considerations for Choctaw County
Where the Choctaw County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Commuter costs. 31% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Manufactured housing (39%). Choctaw County owners should get two written repair quotes before borrowing.
- Retirees. At a median age of 47.4, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
Choctaw County demographics against Alabama
College graduates make up 16% of the adult population. About 9% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Choctaw County | Compared with Alabama | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.8% | -12.6 pts | -6.4 pts |
| Median age | 47.4 | +8.1 yrs | +5.9 yrs |
| Work from home | 2.3% | -6.5 pts | -6.4 pts |
| No vehicle | 8.8% | +3.4 pts | +3.3 pts |
| No high school diploma | 13.8% | +2.4 pts | n/a |
| Poverty rate | 16.5% | +0.9 pts | +3.3 pts |
| No health insurance | 8.6% | -0.6 pts | +0.7 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.0% | +0.3 pts | +0.6 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.7% |
| 60+ min | 19.0% |
Alabama lender licensing
Before sharing details with a lender, a Choctaw County resident can confirm its license with the Alabama State Banking Department. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Alabama guide.
Checklist for Choctaw County applicants
Quick steps for Choctaw County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Alabama borrowers.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Nearby and statewide guides
No city in Choctaw County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Choctaw County household make?
About $47,813 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 25% below the Alabama median.
What is the median rent in Choctaw County, AL?
$543 a month, utilities included, or $6,516 a year.
Can Choctaw County owners borrow against a $123,400 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
Is Needham covered?
Yes. Needham is one of 8 Census places in Choctaw County, and this guide covers all of them.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Choctaw County or elsewhere in Alabama, the same rules apply.