1st Advantage MortgageAbout 75% of Jackson County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $51,908. 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
- Getting oriented in Jackson County
- Household income in Jackson County
- Housing costs in Jackson County
- Employment and commuting in Jackson County
- Regional comparison for Jackson County
- Towns and communities in Jackson County
- People and households in Jackson County
- What the numbers mean for Jackson County borrowers
- Debt-to-income at Jackson County's medians
- Licensing and complaints for Jackson County
- Four steps for Jackson County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Jackson County
Roughly 53,053 residents live in Jackson County, Alabama, 27th by population among the state's 67 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 1,078 square miles, that works out to roughly 49.2 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Jackson County is not part of any metropolitan area. Scottsboro is the biggest of its 13 Census places, at roughly 15,712 people (30% of the county total).
Household income in Jackson County
Jackson County households have a median income of $51,908 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 41st of 67 in Alabama.
| Band | Jackson County | Compared with Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.2% | +6.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.5% | +2.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.7% | -5.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.6% | -3.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 22% of Jackson County households make $100,000 or more, and 34% make less than $35,000. 17.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 15.6%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.452 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Jackson County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Housing costs in Jackson County
Renters in Jackson County pay a median of $780 a month, 23% below the Alabama figure of $1,007. By the Census definition, 45% of Jackson County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $159,500, about 3.1 times the median household income. Owners occupy 75% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1985.
| Housing | Jackson County | Alabama statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $780/mo | $1,007/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $159,500 | $209,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 21.6% | 12.3% | n/a |
Because most Jackson 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.
Employment and commuting in Jackson County
By the Census industry count, 24% of employed Jackson County residents work in manufacturing and 19% in education and health care. Compared with Alabama, the county leans toward manufacturing (24% against 14%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.5% in Jackson County. 22% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 5% work from home. Only 4.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Jackson County share | +/- vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 23.8% | +9.7 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.6% | -4.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.6% | -1.0 pts |
| Construction | 9.1% | +2.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.1% | -1.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.1% | -2.0 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Regional comparison for Jackson County
DeKalb County is closest, 23 miles from center to center; the sixth, Marshall County, is 37 miles off. Madison County leads the group on income ($86,499), DeKalb County trails ($51,204), and Jackson County out-earns 1 of the six. Some neighbors are in Georgia and Tennessee. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Jackson County resident follows Alabama rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | - | $51,908 | $780/mo | 75% |
| DeKalb County, AL | 23 mi | $51,204 | $693/mo | 78% |
| Dade County, GA | 28 mi | $64,568 | $829/mo | 80% |
| Franklin County, TN | 28 mi | $63,494 | $894/mo | 77% |
| Madison County, AL | 32 mi | $86,499 | $1,209/mo | 68% |
| Marion County, TN | 33 mi | $61,824 | $853/mo | 79% |
| Marshall County, AL | 37 mi | $62,571 | $795/mo | 76% |
Towns and communities in Jackson County
The table lists the 13 largest of 13 Census places in Jackson County, by population. Together all 13 hold about 27,031 people, so roughly 49% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $66,458 at the median in Hytop, $34,481 in Bridgeport. Median rent ranges from $506 in Pisgah to $1,096 in Hollywood. No Jackson County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 13.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scottsboro | city | 15,712 | $53,929 | $830 | 9 mi |
| Bridgeport | city | 2,246 | $34,481 | $569 | 19 mi |
| Stevenson | town | 1,995 | $53,958 | $917 | 12 mi |
| Skyline | town | 1,126 | $44,307 | $638 | 8 mi |
| Section | town | 1,069 | $47,500 | $638 | 13 mi |
| Woodville | town | 947 | $54,000 | $588 | 20 mi |
| Hollywood | town | 942 | $51,071 | $1,096 | 3 mi |
| Pisgah | town | 923 | $54,167 | $506 | 9 mi |
| Hytop | town | 726 | $66,458 | $733 | 11 mi |
| Pleasant Groves | town | 485 | $60,759 | $768 | 12 mi |
| Dutton | town | 435 | $63,750 | $769 | 12 mi |
| Langston | town | 284 | $53,929 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Paint Rock | town | 141 | $51,250 | n/a | 21 mi |
People and households in Jackson County
College graduates make up 16% of the adult population. 10.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Jackson County | Alabama | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.5 | 39.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.9% | 28.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 17.2% | 11.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.3% | 9.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.9% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.7% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.3% | 15.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.5% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 30.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.3% |
| 60+ min | 10.4% |
What the numbers mean for Jackson County borrowers
What the Jackson County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Medical bills. 10% of Jackson County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Long drives. With 22% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Jackson County budgets.
- Manufactured homes. 22% of Jackson County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
Debt-to-income at Jackson County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Jackson County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Jackson County: $4,326
- Housing at the median rent of $780 uses 18%
- At 35%, room after rent is $734 a month
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,167 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Jackson County's.
Licensing and complaints for Jackson County
The Alabama State Banking Department is the place to verify any lender's Alabama license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Alabama state guide for the statewide picture.
Four steps for Jackson County borrowers
Quick steps for Jackson County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Verify the Alabama license before giving out your Social Security number.
- 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 is the median household income in Jackson County?
$51,908 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $63,999 for Alabama. It ranks 41st of 67 in the state.
Is Jackson County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $780 against $1,007 statewide, and 45% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Jackson County?
By population: Scottsboro, Bridgeport, Stevenson, Skyline, Section. The county has 13 Census places in all.
Can Jackson County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Alabama county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Where can someone in Jackson County check a lender's license?
With the Alabama State Banking Department. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.