1st Advantage MortgageMorgan County households have a median income of $68,845 and median rent of $864 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Alabama license first.
On this page
- Morgan County at a glance
- Paychecks and income spread in Morgan County
- What it costs to live in Morgan County
- How Morgan County residents earn a living
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Morgan County
- Morgan County and the counties next door
- Who lives in Morgan County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Morgan County
- Room for a loan payment in Morgan County
- Checking a lender's license in Alabama
- Four steps for Morgan County borrowers
- More guides for Morgan County
- Frequently asked questions
Morgan County at a glance
Roughly 124,471 residents live in Morgan County, Alabama, 9th by population among the state's 67 counties and county equivalents. It covers 580 square miles of land, or about 215 people per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Decatur, AL metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Decatur is the biggest of its 6 Census places, at roughly 57,361 people (46% of the county total).
Paychecks and income spread in Morgan County
Half of Morgan County households take in less than $68,845 a year and half take in more, 8% above the Alabama median of $63,999. In the state ranking that is 8th of 67.
| Income band | Share in Morgan County | Difference from Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.0% | -1.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.6% | -1.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.3% | +2.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.1% | +0.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 33% of Morgan County households make $100,000 or more, and 27% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 13.5%, 2 points lower than the state's 15.6%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.449 (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 Morgan County median.
What it costs to live in Morgan County
Renters in Morgan County pay a median of $864 a month, 14% below the Alabama figure of $1,007. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 45% of renter households here. With a median value of $212,000, a typical Morgan County house costs 3.1 times what the median household earns in a year. 73% of Morgan County households own their home and 27% rent.
| Housing | Morgan County | Alabama statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $864/mo | $1,007/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $212,000 | $209,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 24% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 15% | n/a |
Because most Morgan 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.
How Morgan County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Morgan County residents work in manufacturing and 17% in education and health care. Manufacturing stands out: 20% of workers here, versus 14% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 82% drive to work alone and 14% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Morgan County | Difference from Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 20.0% | +5.9 pts |
| Education and health care | 16.5% | -6.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.3% | +0.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.4% | +1.3 pts |
| Construction | 10.3% | +3.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.8% | -1.3 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Morgan County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Morgan County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Morgan County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 80,306 residents, leaving about 35% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $46,888 in Falkville to $117,127 in Priceville. Rent is cheapest in Eva ($633) and steepest in Decatur ($896). Live in one of these Morgan County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur | city | 57,361 | $61,563 | $896 | 12 mi |
| Hartselle | city | 15,847 | $76,290 | $804 | 5 mi |
| Priceville | city | 3,726 | $117,127 | $682 | 6 mi |
| Falkville | town | 1,606 | $46,888 | $693 | 6 mi |
| Somerville | town | 921 | $49,261 | $802 | 3 mi |
| Eva | town | 845 | $115,455 | $633 | 10 mi |
Morgan County and the counties next door
Cullman County is closest, 22 miles from center to center; the sixth, Winston County, is 36 miles off. Madison County leads the group on income ($86,499), Winston County trails ($57,256), and Morgan County out-earns 4 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan County | - | $68,845 | $864/mo | 73% |
| Cullman County, AL | 22 mi | $62,656 | $908/mo | 77% |
| Limestone County, AL | 26 mi | $83,629 | $970/mo | 78% |
| Madison County, AL | 27 mi | $86,499 | $1,209/mo | 68% |
| Lawrence County, AL | 28 mi | $66,071 | $753/mo | 82% |
| Marshall County, AL | 32 mi | $62,571 | $795/mo | 76% |
| Winston County, AL | 36 mi | $57,256 | $803/mo | 76% |
Who lives in Morgan County, in numbers
College graduates make up 23% of the adult population. About 11% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Morgan County | Alabama | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.0 | 39.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.3% | 28.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.1% | 11.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.9% | 9.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.2% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.5% | 15.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.5% |
| 60+ min | 4.5% |
Local borrowing considerations for Morgan County
What the Morgan County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Health costs. With 11% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- 45% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Room for a loan payment in Morgan County
Here is the Morgan County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $5,737 gross per month ($68,845 / 12)
- 15% goes to median rent ($864)
- $1,201: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,603 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Checking a lender's license in Alabama
Consumer lenders serving Morgan County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Alabama that is the Alabama State Banking Department. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Alabama state guide for the statewide picture.
Four steps for Morgan County borrowers
A short checklist for Morgan County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Morgan County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Alabama.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
More guides for Morgan County
The Alabama guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Morgan County earn?
The median is $68,845; 33% earn $100,000 or more and 27% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Morgan County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $864 against $1,007 statewide, and 45% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Morgan County?
By population: Decatur, Hartselle, Priceville, Falkville, Somerville. The county has 6 Census places in all.
Are Morgan County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Morgan County?
Start with the Alabama State Banking Department, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.