1st Advantage MortgageIn Perry County, Alabama, the typical household earns $37,654 a year and the typical rent is $592. 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
- A quick profile of Perry County
- Jobs and commutes in Perry County
- Paychecks and income spread in Perry County
- What it costs to live in Perry County
- Towns and communities in Perry County
- How Perry County compares with nearby counties
- Who lives in Perry County, in numbers
- Borrowing situations common in Perry County
- What a median Perry County budget can carry
- Four steps for Perry County borrowers
- Checking a lender's license in Alabama
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Perry County
With an estimated 8,031 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Perry County ranks 66th of 67 in Alabama for population. Spread over 720 square miles, that works out to roughly 11.2 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (2 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Marion, with about 2,886 residents, or 36% of the county. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Perry County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Jobs and commutes in Perry County
Education and health care employs 38% of working residents, the largest share; transportation, warehousing and utilities is next with 15%. The sharpest difference from the state is in education and health care, at 38% locally and 23% for Alabama. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 16.5% in Perry County. 20% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 5% work from home.
| Sector | Perry County | Compared with Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 37.7% | +15.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 14.8% | +8.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 14.8% | +6.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.3% | -3.3 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 6.0% | +4.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 4.8% | -9.3 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Paychecks and income spread in Perry County
The median household income in Perry County is $37,654; statewide it is $63,999, so Perry County runs 41% below Alabama as a whole. In the state ranking that is 62nd of 67.
| Income band | Share in Perry County | Difference from Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 45.1% | +16.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.8% | +6.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 7.1% | -15.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 0.0% | -7.8 pts |
About 45% of households earn under $35,000, while 7% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 31.4%, 16 points higher than the state's 15.6%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.356 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Perry 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.
What it costs to live in Perry County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $592 in Perry County versus $1,007 statewide. 51% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 19% spend half or more. With a median value of $86,400, a typical Perry County house costs 2.3 times what the median household earns in a year. 78% of Perry County households own their home and 22% rent. Median construction year: 1985.
| Perry County | Alabama | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $592/mo | $1,007/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $86,400 | $209,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 39% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 32.1% | 12.3% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 13% | 15% | n/a |
Because most Perry 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. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Towns and communities in Perry County
Here are the 2 most populous of the county's 2 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 58% of Perry County residents live in one of the 2. Live in one of these Perry County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | city | 2,886 | $35,842 | $588 | 1 mi |
| Uniontown | city | 1,798 | $33,750 | $475 | 17 mi |
How Perry County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (21 to 40 miles). 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Perry County; Autauga County is highest at $72,481 and Dallas County lowest at $35,627.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perry County | - | $37,654 | $592/mo | 78% |
| Hale County, AL | 21 mi | $39,250 | $715/mo | 74% |
| Dallas County, AL | 24 mi | $35,627 | $733/mo | 64% |
| Bibb County, AL | 28 mi | $52,541 | $733/mo | 79% |
| Chilton County, AL | 36 mi | $65,603 | $871/mo | 77% |
| Autauga County, AL | 38 mi | $72,481 | $1,263/mo | 77% |
| Marengo County, AL | 40 mi | $43,825 | $716/mo | 70% |
Who lives in Perry County, in numbers
Degree holders: 16% of adults over 25. 7.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Perry County | Alabama | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.1 | 39.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.8% | 28.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.9% | 11.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.2% | 9.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.0% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.5% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 31.4% | 15.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 16.5% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Perry County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 25.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.6% |
| 60+ min | 13.7% |
Borrowing situations common in Perry County
Based on the Perry County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Vehicle repairs. 20% of Perry County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Manufactured homes. 32% of Perry County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- 31% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- 51% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
What a median Perry County budget can carry
How much room does a median Perry County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $3,138 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $592, takes 19% of that
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $663 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.
Four steps for Perry County borrowers
Steps that save money for Perry County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Perry County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Checking a lender's license in Alabama
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Perry County borrowers answers to the Alabama State Banking Department. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the Alabama state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
The Alabama guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Perry County earn?
The median is $37,654; 7% earn $100,000 or more and 45% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Perry County?
$592 a month at the median, about 19% of median household income.
Which towns does the Perry County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 2 Census places: Marion, Uniontown.
Is the fit check different in Perry County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Is there a Perry County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Alabama it is the Alabama State Banking Department.