1st Advantage MortgageIn Lawrence County, Alabama, the typical household earns $66,071 a year and the typical rent is $753. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Lawrence County
- What Lawrence County households earn
- Rent, home values and ownership in Lawrence County
- Jobs and commutes in Lawrence County
- Lawrence County towns compared
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Who lives in Lawrence County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Lawrence County
- A Lawrence County household budget, worked through
- Who licenses lenders for Lawrence County residents
- A Lawrence County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Lawrence County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Lawrence County
Lawrence County is home to about 33,276 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 35th most populous of 67 county-level areas in Alabama. It covers 691 square miles of land, or about 48 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Decatur, AL metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (6 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Moulton, with about 3,401 residents, or 10% of the county.
What Lawrence County households earn
At $66,071, the typical Lawrence County household income sits near the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Households earning | Lawrence County | +/- vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.3% | -1.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.0% | +4.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.3% | -0.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.3% | -2.4 pts |
The spread is wide: 28% of Lawrence County households make $100,000 or more, and 26% make less than $35,000. 13.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 15.6%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.427 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Lawrence County median.
Rent, home values and ownership in Lawrence County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $753 in Lawrence County versus $1,007 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 38% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $172,300, about 2.6 times the median household income. 82% of Lawrence County households own their home and 18% rent. The median year built is 1990.
| Lawrence County | Alabama | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $753/mo | $1,007/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $172,300 | $209,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 82% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 24.9% | 12.3% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 12% | 15% | n/a |
Because most Lawrence 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.
Jobs and commutes in Lawrence County
Manufacturing employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 20%. Compared with Alabama, the county leans toward manufacturing (24% against 14%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.0% in Lawrence County. Long commutes are common here: 19% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 4.4% of the total (5.4% statewide).
| Where residents work | Lawrence County | Difference from Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 24.2% | +10.2 pts |
| Education and health care | 19.9% | -2.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.9% | +1.3 pts |
| Construction | 8.3% | +1.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.6% | -4.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 5.2% | -2.9 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Lawrence County towns compared
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 27% of Lawrence County residents live in one of the 7. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $43,229 in Town Creek to $100,929 in Trinity. Median rent ranges from $627 in Town Creek to $681 in Hillsboro. This guide covers each of the 7 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moulton | city | 3,401 | $57,813 | $655 | 4 mi |
| Trinity | city | 2,561 | $100,929 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Town Creek | town | 979 | $43,229 | $627 | 11 mi |
| Courtland | town | 723 | $47,679 | $655 | 10 mi |
| Hillsboro | town | 527 | $61,818 | $681 | 11 mi |
| North Courtland | town | 427 | $32,813 | $346 | 10 mi |
| Hatton | CDP | 405 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Lawrence County's, from 26 to 32 miles away. Income ranges from $53,338 in Franklin County to $83,629 in Limestone County; 2 of these neighbors top Lawrence County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence County | - | $66,071 | $753/mo | 82% |
| Winston County, AL | 26 mi | $57,256 | $803/mo | 76% |
| Limestone County, AL | 27 mi | $83,629 | $970/mo | 78% |
| Morgan County, AL | 28 mi | $68,845 | $864/mo | 73% |
| Colbert County, AL | 30 mi | $60,628 | $887/mo | 71% |
| Franklin County, AL | 30 mi | $53,338 | $676/mo | 72% |
| Lauderdale County, AL | 32 mi | $62,649 | $838/mo | 69% |
Who lives in Lawrence County, in numbers
15% of Lawrence County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 8% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Lawrence County | Alabama | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.3 | 39.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.2% | 28.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.0% | 11.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.0% | 9.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.4% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.2% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.3% | 15.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.0% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Lawrence County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 17.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 33.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.1% |
| 60+ min | 7.4% |
Before borrowing in Lawrence County
A few patterns in the Lawrence County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Vehicle repairs. 19% of Lawrence County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Mobile home upkeep. 25% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
A Lawrence County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Lawrence County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Lawrence County: $5,506
- 14% goes to median rent ($753)
- $1,615: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Lawrence County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Who licenses lenders for Lawrence County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a Lawrence County resident can confirm its license with the Alabama State Banking Department. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Alabama guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Lawrence County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Lawrence County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Alabama.
- Ask a Lawrence County credit union about member loans.
More guides for Lawrence County
The Alabama guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Lawrence County earn?
The median is $66,071; 28% earn $100,000 or more and 26% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Lawrence County?
$753 a month at the median, about 14% of median household income.
Should Lawrence County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 82% of Lawrence County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Lawrence County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Moulton, Trinity, Town Creek, Courtland, Hillsboro and 2 more.
Will a Lawrence County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Alabama as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.