1st Advantage MortgageThe median Russell County household earns $51,197, and 22% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Getting oriented in Russell County
- Russell County industries and commutes
- Russell County's most unusual numbers
- How much Russell County households make
- Housing costs in Russell County
- Places inside Russell County
- Russell County, Chattahoochee County and other neighbors
- Room for a loan payment in Russell County
- Before borrowing in Russell County
- More Russell County figures
- Steps before you apply in Russell County
- Alabama lender licensing
- More guides for Russell County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Russell County
Roughly 58,811 residents live in Russell County, Alabama, 24th by population among the state's 67 counties and county equivalents. Russell County spans 641 square miles; with 58,811 people, that is 91.7 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Columbus, GA-AL metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 3 Census places inside Russell County, Phenix City leads by population with about 38,499; 2 of the 3 are incorporated.
Russell County industries and commutes
Top Russell County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 19%; second, manufacturing, 14%. Compared with Alabama, the county leans toward finance, insurance and real estate (8% against 6%). Averaged over the five survey years, 6.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 79% drive to work alone and 15% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 8.0% of the total (5.4% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Russell County | Gap to Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 18.6% | -4.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.4% | +0.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.5% | +1.0 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 8.4% | +2.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.1% | -2.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.0% | -0.1 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Russell County's most unusual numbers
Ranked against the other 66 county-level areas in Alabama, these are the Russell County figures furthest from the middle.
- Homeownership: 61% in Russell County. Only 1 of 67 Alabama counties are lower. In a renter-heavy county, unsecured loans and cards are the main options.
- On the share of workers who work from home, Russell County sits near the top of Alabama at 9.3%, 8th highest of 67. Remote workers should have W-2s or contracts ready to show income.
- Russell County ranks 7th lowest of 67 Alabama counties for median age: 37.5, against 39.3 statewide. Younger borrowers often have thin credit files; a co-signer or credit union may help.
- Few Alabama counties match Russell County on the uninsured rate: 11.3% here, 9.2% for the state, ranking 9th highest of 67. Hospital payment plans are usually interest-free; compare before a loan.
How much Russell County households make
Median household income in Russell County: $51,197 (20% below Alabama, $63,999). Only 42 Alabama counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Russell County | Gap to Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 37.9% | +9.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.6% | +1.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.3% | -7.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.2% | -3.5 pts |
Six-figure households (20%) are outnumbered by those under $35,000 (38%) in Russell County. Poverty rate, Russell County: 22.2%; Alabama: 15.6%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Housing costs in Russell County
$939 a month is the median gross rent in Russell County, 7% below the state. About 5 in 10 Russell County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Home values center on $165,700, or 3.2 years of median income. The ownership rate is 61%.
| Measure | Russell County | Alabama | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burdened owners | 35% | 24% | +11.0 pts |
| Owners | 61% | 70% | -8.9 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 54% | 49% | +5.6 pts |
| Median home value | $165,700 | $209,900 | 21% lower |
| Mobile homes | 14.1% | 12.3% | +1.9 pts |
| Vacant units | 14% | 15% | -0.9 pts |
| Median gross rent | $939/mo | $1,007/mo | 7% lower |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Places inside Russell County
3 Census places fall mainly inside Russell County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 42,266 residents, leaving about 28% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Russell County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phenix City | city | 38,499 | $50,053 | $967 | 15 mi |
| Ladonia | CDP | 3,346 | $53,441 | $1,040 | 13 mi |
| Hurtsboro | town | 421 | $26,375 | $415 | 14 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Russell County, Chattahoochee County and other neighbors
Chattahoochee County is closest, 24 miles from center to center; the sixth, Quitman County, is 31 miles off. Lee County leads the group on income ($65,824), Stewart County trails ($33,250), and Russell County out-earns 3 of the six. The list crosses into Georgia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russell County | - | $51,197 | $939/mo | 61% |
| Chattahoochee County, GA | 24 mi | $61,042 | $1,348/mo | 39% |
| Muscogee County, GA | 24 mi | $58,073 | $1,106/mo | 51% |
| Lee County, AL | 24 mi | $65,824 | $1,058/mo | 66% |
| Stewart County, GA | 25 mi | $33,250 | $607/mo | 59% |
| Macon County, AL | 30 mi | $43,707 | $734/mo | 62% |
| Quitman County, GA | 31 mi | $40,179 | $918/mo | 84% |
Room for a loan payment in Russell County
DTI math using Russell County medians ($51,197 income, $939 rent):
- Monthly gross at the median, Russell County: $4,266
- Median rent: $939, or 22 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 35% ceiling, about $554 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- With a 45% ceiling, about $981 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before borrowing in Russell County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Russell County borrowers.
- 11% uninsured. In Russell County, ask for an itemized bill and a payment plan first (medical bills).
- Mobile home upkeep. 14% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Help that costs nothing. About 13,041 Russell County residents live in poverty; see free options before a loan.
- Russell County rent burden. 54% of renters are cost-burdened; ask your landlord about a payment plan before borrowing for rent.
More Russell County figures
Bachelor's degree or higher: 18% of Russell County adults. Uninsured, Russell County: 11.3%; Alabama: 9.2%.
| Measure | Russell County | Gap to Alabama | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.2% | -10.2 pts | -4.0 pts |
| Poverty rate | 22.2% | +6.6 pts | +9.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 8.0% | +2.6 pts | +2.6 pts |
| No health insurance | 11.3% | +2.1 pts | +3.5 pts |
| Median age | 37.5 | -1.8 yrs | -4.0 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 13.0% | +1.6 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.2% | +1.5 pts | +1.8 pts |
| Work from home | 9.3% | +0.5 pts | +0.6 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Russell County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 21.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 42.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.8% |
| 60+ min | 6.5% |
Steps before you apply in Russell County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Russell County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Alabama lender licensing
Consumer lenders serving Russell County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Alabama that is the Alabama State Banking Department. Nationally, Russell County residents can file with the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Alabama guide.
More guides for Russell County
For statewide rules and data, see the Alabama guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Russell County rank on income in Alabama?
43rd of 67, with a median of $51,197. The state median is $63,999.
How does Russell County rent compare with Alabama?
$939 locally versus $1,007 for the state, 7% below.
What are the biggest places in Russell County?
By population: Phenix City, Ladonia, Hurtsboro. The county has 3 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Russell County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Russell 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.