1st Advantage MortgageGeneva County households have a median income of $52,771 and median rent of $784 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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 Geneva County
- Income in Geneva County compared with Alabama
- How Geneva County residents earn a living
- Rent, home values and ownership in Geneva County
- The communities that make up Geneva County
- How Geneva County compares with nearby counties
- A Geneva County household budget, worked through
- People and households in Geneva County
- What the numbers mean for Geneva County borrowers
- Lender oversight for Geneva County
- Checklist for Geneva County applicants
- More guides for Geneva County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Geneva County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Geneva County's population at 26,887; only 38 of Alabama's 67 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 574 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 47 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Dothan, AL metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 8 places in the county (7 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Geneva, with about 4,225 residents, or 16% of the county.
Income in Geneva County compared with Alabama
Half of Geneva County households take in less than $52,771 a year and half take in more, 18% below the Alabama median of $63,999. Only 36 Alabama counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Geneva County | +/- vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.8% | +4.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.6% | +6.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.2% | -6.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.5% | -4.3 pts |
About 33% of households earn under $35,000, while 20% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 19.2%, 4 points higher than the state's 15.6%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.424 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Geneva County median.
How Geneva County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Geneva County residents work in education and health care and 13% in retail trade. Transportation, warehousing and utilities stands out: 10% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.6% in Geneva County. About 87% drive to work alone and 15% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 6.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Geneva County workers | vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.2% | -0.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.3% | +1.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.9% | -2.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.7% | +3.8 pts |
| Construction | 8.7% | +1.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.6% | -1.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Geneva County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Rent, home values and ownership in Geneva County
Renters in Geneva County pay a median of $784 a month, 22% below the Alabama figure of $1,007. 40% 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 $130,700, about 2.5 times the median household income. Owners occupy 78% of homes.
| Measure | Geneva County | Alabama | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $784/mo | $1,007/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $130,700 | $209,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 24.4% | 12.3% | n/a |
Because most Geneva 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.
The communities that make up Geneva County
The table lists the 8 largest of 8 Census places in Geneva County, by population. Together all 8 hold about 13,365 people, so roughly 50% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $33,424 in Samson to $56,250 in Hartford. Rent is cheapest in Geneva ($564) and steepest in Malvern ($906). This guide covers each of the 8 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva | city | 4,225 | $47,102 | $564 | 5 mi |
| Hartford | city | 2,701 | $56,250 | $802 | 8 mi |
| Slocomb | city | 1,952 | $38,056 | $773 | 13 mi |
| Malvern | town | 1,913 | $43,854 | $906 | 18 mi |
| Samson | town | 1,669 | $33,424 | $762 | 13 mi |
| Black | town | 467 | $61,214 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Coffee Springs | town | 283 | $40,917 | $954 | 7 mi |
| Eunola | CDP | 155 | n/a | n/a | 4 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
How Geneva County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Geneva County's, from 16 to 39 miles away. Coffee County leads the group on income ($68,353), Holmes County trails ($49,343), and Geneva County out-earns 2 of the six. The list crosses into Florida, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva County | - | $52,771 | $784/mo | 78% |
| Holmes County, FL | 16 mi | $49,343 | $844/mo | 76% |
| Coffee County, AL | 24 mi | $68,353 | $1,018/mo | 72% |
| Dale County, AL | 27 mi | $54,963 | $889/mo | 62% |
| Houston County, AL | 31 mi | $58,626 | $945/mo | 64% |
| Washington County, FL | 35 mi | $58,210 | $888/mo | 80% |
| Covington County, AL | 39 mi | $52,456 | $746/mo | 76% |
A Geneva County household budget, worked through
Geneva County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,398 before taxes
- Median rent: $784, or 18 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 40% ceiling, about $975 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.
People and households in Geneva County
13% of Geneva County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 12% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Geneva County | All of Alabama | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.7 | 39.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.2% | 28.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.1% | 11.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.5% | 9.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.0% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.8% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.2% | 15.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.6% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Geneva County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 26.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.9% |
| 60+ min | 6.8% |
What the numbers mean for Geneva County borrowers
Based on the Geneva County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Medical bills. 12% of Geneva County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Mobile home upkeep. 24% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 19% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
Lender oversight for Geneva County
Geneva County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Alabama State Banking Department. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the Alabama state guide for the statewide picture.
Checklist for Geneva County applicants
A short checklist for Geneva County borrowers:
- Price the Geneva County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Geneva County-area credit union.
- Verify the Alabama license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
More guides for Geneva County
The Alabama guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Geneva County household make?
About $52,771 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 18% below the Alabama median.
How does Geneva County rent compare with Alabama?
$784 locally versus $1,007 for the state, 22% below.
I own my home in Geneva County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 78% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Geneva County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 8 Census places: Geneva, Hartford, Slocomb, Malvern, Samson.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Geneva County or elsewhere in Alabama, the same rules apply.