1st Advantage MortgageDale County households have a median income of $54,963 and median rent of $889 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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 Dale County
- Work, industries and travel time in Dale County
- How much Dale County households make
- Rent, home values and ownership in Dale County
- Places inside Dale County
- The counties around Dale County
- Budget math at the Dale County median
- People and households in Dale County
- What the numbers mean for Dale County borrowers
- Licensing and complaints for Dale County
- Four steps for Dale County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Dale County
Dale County is home to about 49,599 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 28th most populous of 67 county-level areas in Alabama. Packed into 561 square miles, that is close to 88 residents for every square mile of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Dale County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 11 places in the county (10 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Ozark, with about 14,327 residents, or 29% of the county.
Work, industries and travel time in Dale County
Education and health care employs 21% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 14%. Compared with Alabama, the county leans toward transportation, warehousing and utilities (9% against 6%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 6.6% in Dale County. About 81% drive to work alone and 11% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | Dale County share | +/- vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.0% | -1.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.0% | +2.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.2% | -2.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.5% | +2.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.1% | +3.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.3% | -1.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
How much Dale County households make
Half of Dale County households take in less than $54,963 a year and half take in more, 14% below the Alabama median of $63,999. Only 32 Alabama counties post a higher median.
| Band | Dale County | Compared with Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.4% | +5.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.2% | +3.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.9% | -5.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.5% | -3.2 pts |
Some 33% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 22% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 18.7% of Dale County residents in poverty, against 15.6% across Alabama. A household earning below the $54,963 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Rent, home values and ownership in Dale County
A typical Dale County rental runs $889 a month including utilities, which is 12% below Alabama. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 40% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $143,500, about 2.6 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 62%. Median construction year: 1983.
| Housing | Dale County | Alabama statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $889/mo | $1,007/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $143,500 | $209,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 62% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 19.5% | 12.3% | n/a |
Places inside Dale County
11 Census places fall mainly inside Dale County; the 11 biggest are below. They account for 31,254 residents, leaving about 37% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Level Plains has the highest median household income on the list ($77,000) and Midland City the lowest ($28,438), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $609 in Midland City to $1,441 in Fort Rucker. None of the 11 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozark | city | 14,327 | $48,944 | $694 | 3 mi |
| Daleville | city | 4,919 | $45,324 | $864 | 11 mi |
| Fort Rucker | CDP | 4,705 | $74,541 | $1,441 | 9 mi |
| Level Plains | town | 1,667 | $77,000 | $1,057 | 13 mi |
| Midland City | city | 1,603 | $28,438 | $609 | 10 mi |
| Newton | town | 1,329 | $60,030 | $650 | 6 mi |
| Pinckard | town | 672 | $58,162 | $750 | 9 mi |
| Ariton | town | 614 | $50,000 | $833 | 13 mi |
| Grimes | town | 582 | $33,958 | $872 | 13 mi |
| Napier Field | town | 422 | $41,875 | $857 | 12 mi |
| Clayhatchee | town | 414 | $48,646 | $855 | 15 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
The counties around Dale County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Dale County's, from 22 to 33 miles away. Income ranges from $46,042 in Barbour County to $68,353 in Coffee County; 3 of these neighbors top Dale County's median.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dale County | - | $54,963 | $889/mo | 62% |
| Coffee County, AL | 22 mi | $68,353 | $1,018/mo | 72% |
| Henry County, AL | 23 mi | $59,931 | $769/mo | 79% |
| Houston County, AL | 26 mi | $58,626 | $945/mo | 64% |
| Geneva County, AL | 27 mi | $52,771 | $784/mo | 78% |
| Pike County, AL | 32 mi | $48,677 | $856/mo | 61% |
| Barbour County, AL | 33 mi | $46,042 | $688/mo | 68% |
Budget math at the Dale County median
Here is the Dale County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $4,580 a month: gross income for a household at the Dale County median
- Rent at the median, $889, takes 19% of that
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,081 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Dale County's.
People and households in Dale County
College graduates make up 20% of the adult population. About 10% go without health insurance.
| Dale County | Alabama | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.7 | 39.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.4% | 28.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.4% | 11.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.1% | 9.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.0% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.7% | 15.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.6% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Dale County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.0% |
| 60+ min | 4.7% |
What the numbers mean for Dale County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Dale County borrowers.
- Uninsured care. 10% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Manufactured homes. 19% of Dale 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).
Licensing and complaints for Dale County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Dale County resident can confirm its license with the Alabama State Banking Department. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on Alabama: Alabama personal loans.
Four steps for Dale County borrowers
Quick steps for Dale County:
- Price the Dale County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Alabama guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Dale County household make?
About $54,963 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 14% below the Alabama median.
How much is rent in Dale County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $889 a month; 40% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Dale County?
By population: Ozark, Daleville, Fort Rucker, Level Plains, Midland City. The county has 11 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Dale County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who regulates personal lenders for Dale County residents?
The Alabama State Banking Department licenses consumer lenders in Alabama; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.