1st Advantage MortgageThe median Fayette County household earns $49,488, and 22% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Alabama before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Fayette County
- Household income in Fayette County
- Work, industries and travel time in Fayette County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Fayette County
- Fayette County next to its neighbors
- Towns and communities in Fayette County
- Debt-to-income at Fayette County's medians
- What the numbers mean for Fayette County borrowers
- Fayette County households compared
- Checklist for Fayette County applicants
- Who licenses lenders for Fayette County residents
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Fayette County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Fayette County's population at 16,053; only 51 of Alabama's 67 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 628 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 26 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Fayette County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 4 places in the county (4 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Fayette, with about 4,164 residents, or 26% of the county.
Household income in Fayette County
Half of Fayette County households take in less than $49,488 a year and half take in more, 23% below the Alabama median of $63,999. That places it 47th among Alabama's 67 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Fayette County | Gap to Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.8% | +7.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.0% | -0.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.4% | -3.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.8% | -4.0 pts |
Some 36% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 23% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 21.8%, 6 points higher than the state's 15.6%. None of these numbers decides a Fayette County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Work, industries and travel time in Fayette County
Manufacturing employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 22%. Manufacturing stands out: 25% of workers here, versus 14% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 8.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 25% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 7.6% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Fayette County | Compared with Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 24.8% | +10.7 pts |
| Education and health care | 22.3% | -0.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.9% | +2.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.7% | -0.4 pts |
| Construction | 6.7% | -0.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.5% | -0.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Fayette County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Rent, home values and ownership in Fayette County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $667 in Fayette County versus $1,007 statewide. By the Census definition, 33% of Fayette County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $125,900, or 2.5 years of median income. 78% of Fayette County households own their home and 22% rent. The median year built is 1980.
| Measure | Fayette County | Alabama | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $667/mo | $1,007/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $125,900 | $209,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 33% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 22.0% | 12.3% | n/a |
Because most Fayette County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Fayette County next to its neighbors
Six nearby counties, 19 to 38 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Fayette County; Tuscaloosa County is highest at $66,231 and Pickens County lowest at $46,274.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayette County | - | $49,488 | $667/mo | 78% |
| Lamar County, AL | 19 mi | $50,000 | $549/mo | 76% |
| Walker County, AL | 27 mi | $56,509 | $756/mo | 76% |
| Marion County, AL | 30 mi | $50,088 | $630/mo | 77% |
| Tuscaloosa County, AL | 33 mi | $66,231 | $1,037/mo | 61% |
| Pickens County, AL | 35 mi | $46,274 | $648/mo | 76% |
| Winston County, AL | 38 mi | $57,256 | $803/mo | 76% |
Towns and communities in Fayette County
4 Census places fall mainly inside Fayette County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 5,869 residents, leaving about 63% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Fayette County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 4.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayette | city | 4,164 | $36,473 | $640 | 4 mi |
| Berry | town | 1,040 | $37,031 | $475 | 10 mi |
| Glen Allen | town | 372 | $46,313 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Belk | town | 293 | $44,850 | n/a | 10 mi |
Debt-to-income at Fayette County's medians
Fayette County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,124 before taxes
- 16% goes to median rent ($667)
- With a 36% ceiling, about $818 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- $1,106: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $667, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
What the numbers mean for Fayette County borrowers
Based on the Fayette County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Long drives. With 25% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Fayette County budgets.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 22% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- 22% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
Fayette County households compared
Degree holders: 15% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 7.7%, against 9.2% for Alabama.
| People and households | Fayette County | Alabama | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.3 | 39.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.9% | 28.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.3% | 11.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.7% | 9.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.6% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 2.9% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 21.8% | 15.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.4% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Fayette County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.1% |
| 60+ min | 14.6% |
Checklist for Fayette County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Who licenses lenders for Fayette County residents
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Fayette County borrowers answers to the Alabama State Banking Department. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Alabama: Alabama personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Alabama guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Fayette County earn?
The median is $49,488; 23% earn $100,000 or more and 36% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Fayette County?
$667 a month at the median, about 16% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Fayette County?
By population: Fayette, Berry, Glen Allen, Belk. The county has 4 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Fayette County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Fayette County?
Start with the Alabama State Banking Department, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.