Hale County, AL: personal loan guide and local data

A quick profile of Hale County

Roughly 14,829 residents live in Hale County, Alabama, 55th by population among the state's 67 counties and county equivalents. Its 644 square miles average 23 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. It is one of the counties that make up the Tuscaloosa, AL metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 4 places in the county (4 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Moundville, with about 3,754 residents, or 25% of the county.

Rent, home values and ownership in Hale County

Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $715 in Hale County versus $1,007 statewide. About 5 in 10 Hale County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Hale County homes are worth $127,600 at the median, a 3.3-to-1 ratio to income. 74% of Hale County households own their home and 26% rent. Nationally, Hale County's $715 rent is 18% below the middle county.

Hale County owners: get one secured and one unsecured quote, then compare the total cost and what you would put up as collateral (side by side). When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?

Earnings across Hale County households

Median household income in Hale County: $39,250 (39% below Alabama, $63,999). Only 60 Alabama counties post a higher median.

On the low end, 47% of Hale County households report under $35,000; at the top, 18% report $100,000-plus. The poverty rate is 24.6%, 9 points higher than the state's 15.6%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Hale County median.

Hale County's most unusual numbers

Ranked against the other 66 county-level areas in Alabama, these are the Hale County figures furthest from the middle.

• On the uninsured rate, Hale County sits near the bottom of Alabama at 6.2%, the lowest of 67. Lower uninsured rates still leave deductibles; check what a plan covers first.
• Few Alabama counties match Hale County on the share of workers who work from home: 2.2% here, 8.8% for the state, ranking 2nd lowest of 67. Most workers travel to a job here, so commuting costs are part of the budget.
• On the share of mobile homes, Hale County sits near the top of Alabama at 37.5%, 3rd highest of 67. Repairs on manufactured homes are a common loan purpose; get written quotes.
• Hale County ranks 4th highest of 67 Alabama counties for households without a vehicle: 11.2%, against 5.4% statewide. Car-free households may need loans less for repairs but more for moves.

Hale County industries and commutes

By the Census industry count, 33% of employed Hale County residents work in education and health care and 16% in manufacturing. Hale County over-indexes on education and health care: 33% versus 23% in Alabama. Averaged over the five survey years, 6.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 26% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 2% work from home. No car: 11.2% of Hale County households.

A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.

Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership

The six counties whose centers lie closest to Hale County's, from 21 to 38 miles away. Hale County's $39,250 median trails 3 of the six and beats 3; the range runs $29,200 (Greene County) to $66,231 (Tuscaloosa County).

Census places in Hale County

Here are the 4 most populous of the county's 4 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 44% of Hale County residents live in one of the 4. No Hale County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 4.

Debt-to-income at Hale County's medians

Hale County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):

• $39,250 a year is $3,271 of gross monthly income
• 22% goes to median rent ($715)
• 35% debt-to-income limit: $430 left for all other debt payments
• 45% debt-to-income limit: $757 left for all other debt payments

These are gross figures; take-home pay in Hale County will be lower after taxes and deductions.

Hale County households compared

College graduates make up 18% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 6.2%, against 9.2% for Alabama.

Borrowing situations common in Hale County

A few patterns in the Hale County data, and the practical point behind each:

• Keeping the car running. At 26% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Hale County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
• Mobile homes in Hale County. At 37% of units, they are a big part of local housing; check whether yours is titled as real or personal property.
• Help that costs nothing. About 3,646 Hale County residents live in poverty; see free options before a loan.
• Tight rental budgets. With 50% of Hale County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.

Steps before you apply in Hale County

Quick steps for Hale County:

• Price the Hale County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
• Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
• Only work with lenders licensed for Alabama borrowers.
• Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.

Alabama lender licensing

Consumer lenders serving Hale County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Alabama that is the Alabama State Banking Department. Nationally, Hale County residents can file with the CFPB. The Alabama guide covers state rules in more detail.

Nearby and statewide guides

For statewide rules and data, see the Alabama guide.

• Alabama state guide