1st Advantage MortgageCovington County households have a median income of $52,456 and median rent of $746 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- A quick profile of Covington County
- Jobs and commutes in Covington County
- What Covington County households earn
- Rent, home values and ownership in Covington County
- The counties around Covington County
- Towns and communities in Covington County
- Budget math at the Covington County median
- Who lives in Covington County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Covington County
- Alabama rules that apply in Covington County
- Checklist for Covington County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Covington County
Covington County is home to about 37,628 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 31st most populous of 67 county-level areas in Alabama. It covers 1,031 square miles of land, or about 37 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Covington County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 14 places in the county (14 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Andalusia, with about 8,766 residents, or 23% of the county.
Jobs and commutes in Covington County
By the Census industry count, 25% of employed Covington County residents work in education and health care and 12% in retail trade. Compared with Alabama, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (5% against 1%). Averaged over the five survey years, 5.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 16% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 3% work from home.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Covington County | Gap to Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.6% | +1.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +0.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.0% | -2.1 pts |
| Construction | 8.7% | +1.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.0% | +2.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.6% | -3.5 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
What Covington County households earn
At $52,456, the typical Covington County household income is 20% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Household income | Covington County | vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.8% | +6.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.0% | -0.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.2% | -3.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.0% | -2.7 pts |
Some 35% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 24% have six-figure incomes. 19.2% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 15.6%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.488 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Covington County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Rent, home values and ownership in Covington County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $746 in Covington County versus $1,007 statewide. 50% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 20% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $152,100, about 2.9 times the median household income. 76% of Covington County households own their home and 24% rent. Median construction year: 1979.
| Covington County | Alabama | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $746/mo | $1,007/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $152,100 | $209,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 18.9% | 12.3% | 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).
The counties around Covington County
Six nearby counties, 29 to 43 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Coffee County leads the group on income ($68,353), Conecuh County trails ($41,327), and Covington County out-earns 4 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covington County | - | $52,456 | $746/mo | 76% |
| Coffee County, AL | 29 mi | $68,353 | $1,018/mo | 72% |
| Conecuh County, AL | 34 mi | $41,327 | $834/mo | 74% |
| Crenshaw County, AL | 34 mi | $48,560 | $661/mo | 73% |
| Butler County, AL | 38 mi | $44,755 | $725/mo | 66% |
| Geneva County, AL | 39 mi | $52,771 | $784/mo | 78% |
| Escambia County, AL | 43 mi | $48,225 | $766/mo | 71% |
Towns and communities in Covington County
14 Census places fall mainly inside Covington County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 21,101 residents, leaving about 44% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Babbie has the highest median household income on the list ($63,611) and Red Level the lowest ($38,750), counting places with at least 500 residents. Live in one of these Covington County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andalusia | city | 8,766 | $42,611 | $730 | 5 mi |
| Opp | city | 6,709 | $41,347 | $720 | 12 mi |
| Florala | town | 1,822 | n/a | $706 | 17 mi |
| Babbie | town | 790 | $63,611 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Red Level | town | 621 | $38,750 | $730 | 15 mi |
| River Falls | town | 403 | $35,104 | $768 | 9 mi |
| Lockhart | town | 359 | $33,750 | $707 | 17 mi |
| Carolina | town | 337 | $60,250 | $669 | 4 mi |
| Heath | town | 267 | $65,855 | $377 | 7 mi |
| Onycha | town | 238 | $47,639 | $600 | 10 mi |
| Sanford | town | 232 | $52,875 | $642 | 5 mi |
| Horn Hill | town | 215 | $36,250 | $707 | 7 mi |
| Libertyville | town | 174 | $81,346 | n/a | 1 mi |
| Gantt | town | 168 | $53,125 | $1,000 | 12 mi |
Budget math at the Covington County median
Here is the Covington County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $52,456 a year is $4,371 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $746, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- $828: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,134 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.
Who lives in Covington County, in numbers
College graduates make up 17% of the adult population. About 9% go without health insurance.
| Covington County | Alabama | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.3 | 39.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.2% | 28.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.8% | 11.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.4% | 9.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.2% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 2.9% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.2% | 15.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.2% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 36.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.1% |
| 60+ min | 11.0% |
Before borrowing in Covington County
Based on the Covington County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Manufactured homes. 19% of Covington County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 19% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- Rent squeeze. 50% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Alabama rules that apply in Covington County
The Alabama State Banking Department is the place to verify any lender's Alabama license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Alabama guide.
Checklist for Covington County applicants
Steps that save money for Covington County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Covington County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A Alabama license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Alabama guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Covington County household make?
About $52,456 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 18% below the Alabama median.
How does Covington County rent compare with Alabama?
$746 locally versus $1,007 for the state, 26% below.
I own my home in Covington County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 76% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Covington County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 14 Census places: Andalusia, Opp, Florala, Babbie, Red Level.
Are Covington 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.