1st Advantage Mortgage30% of Marshall County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $62,571 (ACS 2020-24). 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
- Population and place: Marshall County
- What stands out in Marshall County
- Homes and rents, Marshall County
- Labor force snapshot: Marshall County
- Marshall County income bands
- Regional comparison for Marshall County
- Places inside Marshall County
- A Marshall County household budget, worked through
- Reading the Marshall County data as a borrower
- Marshall County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Checklist for Marshall County applicants
- Who licenses lenders for Marshall County residents
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Population and place: Marshall County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Marshall County's population at 99,748; only 13 of Alabama's 67 county-level areas are larger. It covers 566 square miles of land, or about 176 people per square mile. Marshall County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Of the 8 Census places inside Marshall County, Albertville leads by population with about 22,813; 7 of the 8 are incorporated.
What stands out in Marshall County
Where Marshall County lands at the extremes of Alabama's county rankings:
- Few Alabama counties match Marshall County on the uninsured rate: 12.0% here, 9.2% for the state, ranking 6th highest of 67. Ask any provider about financial assistance before borrowing for care.
- Few Alabama counties match Marshall County on median home value: $201,500 here, $209,900 for the state, ranking 12th highest of 67. High values mean many owners could borrow against equity; weigh that risk carefully.
- The share of households earning $100,000 or more: 30% in Marshall County. Only 13 of 67 Alabama counties are higher. Big incomes invite big loans; borrow only what you need.
Homes and rents, Marshall County
$795 a month is the median gross rent in Marshall County, 21% below the state. About 5 in 10 Marshall County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Home values center on $201,500, or 3.2 years of median income. Owners occupy 76% of homes. The median year built is 1986. Against the median U.S. county, Marshall County rent is 9% below.
| Measure | Marshall County | Alabama | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 76% | 70% | +5.6 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 49% | -2.3 pts |
| Median gross rent | $795/mo | $1,007/mo | 21% lower |
| Mobile homes | 13.5% | 12.3% | +1.2 pts |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 24% | -1.2 pts |
| Median home value | $201,500 | $209,900 | 4% lower |
In an owner-heavy county like Marshall County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Labor force snapshot: Marshall County
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Marshall County residents work in education and health care and 18% in manufacturing. Manufacturing stands out: 18% of workers here, versus 14% statewide. 3.9% of Marshall County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. About 81% drive to work alone and 19% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 1,588 Marshall County households, 4.4%, have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Marshall County share | +/- vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.4% | -2.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.0% | +3.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.2% | +1.6 pts |
| Construction | 8.8% | +1.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.8% | -1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.8% | -1.2 pts |
Self-employed in Marshall County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Marshall County income bands
At $62,571, the typical Marshall County household income is 5% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 18th of 67.
| Band | Marshall County | Compared with Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.1% | +0.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.1% | 0.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.7% | -0.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.0% | -0.8 pts |
On the low end, 29% of Marshall County households report under $35,000; at the top, 30% report $100,000-plus. 16.6% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 15.6%). Gini index for Marshall County: 0.465. A household earning below the $62,571 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Regional comparison for Marshall County
Etowah County is closest, 24 miles from center to center; the sixth, Madison County, is 34 miles off. Madison County leads the group on income ($86,499), DeKalb County trails ($51,204), and Marshall County out-earns 2 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall County | - | $62,571 | $795/mo | 76% |
| Etowah County, AL | 24 mi | $54,563 | $847/mo | 74% |
| Blount County, AL | 27 mi | $64,190 | $776/mo | 81% |
| DeKalb County, AL | 31 mi | $51,204 | $693/mo | 78% |
| Morgan County, AL | 32 mi | $68,845 | $864/mo | 73% |
| Cullman County, AL | 34 mi | $62,656 | $908/mo | 77% |
| Madison County, AL | 34 mi | $86,499 | $1,209/mo | 68% |
Places inside Marshall County
Here are the 8 most populous of the county's 8 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 54% of Marshall County residents live in one of the 8. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $41,631, Grant over Boaz. Median rent ranges from $543 in Grant to $905 in Douglas. This guide covers each of the 8 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albertville | city | 22,813 | $56,099 | $872 | 7 mi |
| Boaz | city | 10,814 | $49,846 | $663 | 12 mi |
| Guntersville | city | 8,916 | $67,929 | $842 | 6 mi |
| Arab | city | 8,679 | $64,333 | $718 | 10 mi |
| Grant | town | 1,336 | $91,477 | $543 | 15 mi |
| Douglas | town | 1,113 | $62,000 | $905 | 10 mi |
| Joppa | CDP | 448 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
| Union Grove | town | 93 | $50,694 | n/a | 10 mi |
A Marshall County household budget, worked through
Here is the Marshall County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Marshall County: $5,214
- Less median rent of $795, which is 15% of it
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,447 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $795, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Reading the Marshall County data as a borrower
Where the Marshall County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Hospital bills in Marshall County. For the 12% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- 19% long commutes. A Marshall County repair bill is often urgent; compare the shop's financing with a loan in writing.
- Manufactured housing (13%). Marshall County owners should get two written repair quotes before borrowing.
- Rent squeeze. 47% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Marshall County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 22% of adults over 25. Uninsured, Marshall County: 12.0%; Alabama: 9.2%.
| Measure | Marshall County | Gap to Alabama | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.5% | -6.8 pts | -0.6 pts |
| No high school diploma | 15.2% | +3.8 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.0% | +2.8 pts | +4.1 pts |
| Work from home | 6.4% | -2.4 pts | -2.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.4% | -1.0 pts | -1.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 16.6% | +1.0 pts | +3.5 pts |
| Median age | 38.5 | -0.8 yrs | -3.0 yrs |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.9% | -0.8 pts | -0.5 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 36.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.0% |
| 60+ min | 9.9% |
Checklist for Marshall County applicants
Quick steps for Marshall County:
- Price the Marshall County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Alabama.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Who licenses lenders for Marshall County residents
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Marshall County borrowers answers to the Alabama State Banking Department. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on Alabama: Alabama personal loans.
Keep exploring
The Alabama guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marshall County a high-income county?
Its $62,571 median ranks 18th of 67 Alabama counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Marshall County?
$795 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
How many towns are in Marshall County?
The Census Bureau counts 8 places mainly in the county, led by Albertville, Boaz, Guntersville, Arab, Grant.
Is the fit check different in Marshall County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who regulates personal lenders for Marshall County residents?
The Alabama State Banking Department licenses consumer lenders in Alabama; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.