1st Advantage MortgageIn Walker County, Alabama, the typical household earns $56,509 a year and the typical rent is $756. 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
- Walker County at a glance
- How much Walker County households make
- Housing costs in Walker County
- Jobs and commutes in Walker County
- Counties near Walker County
- Towns and communities in Walker County
- Room for a loan payment in Walker County
- Before borrowing in Walker County
- Walker County households compared
- Four steps for Walker County borrowers
- Who licenses lenders for Walker County residents
- More guides for Walker County
- Frequently asked questions
Walker County at a glance
With an estimated 64,841 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Walker County ranks 21st of 67 in Alabama for population. It covers 791 square miles of land, or about 82 people per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Birmingham, AL metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 10 places in the county (10 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Jasper, with about 14,442 residents, or 22% of the county.
How much Walker County households make
Half of Walker County households take in less than $56,509 a year and half take in more, 12% below the Alabama median of $63,999.
| Households earning | Walker County | +/- vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.2% | +5.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.0% | +0.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.2% | -2.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.7% | -4.1 pts |
About 34% of households earn under $35,000, while 24% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 18.5%, 3 points higher than the state's 15.6%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Walker County median.
Housing costs in Walker County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $756 in Walker County versus $1,007 statewide. 41% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 18% spend half or more. Home values center on $135,900, or 2.4 years of median income. Owners occupy 76% of homes. The median year built is 1983.
| Measure | Walker County | Alabama | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $756/mo | $1,007/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $135,900 | $209,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 24% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 16% | 15% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Jobs and commutes in Walker County
The biggest employer of Walker County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 22% of workers, followed by manufacturing (15%). Transportation, warehousing and utilities stands out: 9% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 30% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Sector | Walker County | Compared with Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.9% | -0.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.8% | +0.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.5% | +2.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.3% | +3.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.4% | +0.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.3% | -3.7 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Counties near Walker County
Winston County is closest, 25 miles from center to center; the sixth, Marion County, is 41 miles off. Jefferson County leads the group on income ($66,388), Fayette County trails ($49,488), and Walker County out-earns 2 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walker County | - | $56,509 | $756/mo | 76% |
| Winston County, AL | 25 mi | $57,256 | $803/mo | 76% |
| Fayette County, AL | 27 mi | $49,488 | $667/mo | 78% |
| Jefferson County, AL | 28 mi | $66,388 | $1,193/mo | 64% |
| Cullman County, AL | 34 mi | $62,656 | $908/mo | 77% |
| Tuscaloosa County, AL | 37 mi | $66,231 | $1,037/mo | 61% |
| Marion County, AL | 41 mi | $50,088 | $630/mo | 77% |
Towns and communities in Walker County
The table lists the 10 largest of 10 Census places in Walker County, by population. Together all 10 hold about 25,379 people, so roughly 61% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $66,238 at the median in Jasper, $24,605 in Carbon Hill. No Walker County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 10.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasper | city | 14,442 | $66,238 | $721 | 5 mi |
| Dora | city | 2,668 | $61,892 | $761 | 13 mi |
| Sumiton | city | 2,459 | $65,568 | $850 | 15 mi |
| Carbon Hill | city | 1,536 | $24,605 | $557 | 15 mi |
| Cordova | town | 1,511 | $37,662 | $460 | 6 mi |
| Parrish | town | 1,222 | $32,798 | $1,005 | 4 mi |
| Oakman | town | 934 | $35,208 | $283 | 7 mi |
| Sipsey | town | 288 | $26,750 | $921 | 13 mi |
| Kansas | town | 186 | $49,583 | $771 | 17 mi |
| Eldridge | town | 133 | $98,542 | n/a | 21 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Walker County
Here is the Walker County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,709 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $756 uses 16%
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $939 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.
Before borrowing in Walker County
A few patterns in the Walker County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Commuter costs. 30% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- 27% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Assistance before credit. With a 18% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Walker County loan.
Walker County households compared
College graduates make up 17% of the adult population. 9.6% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Walker County | Alabama | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6 | 39.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.6% | 28.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.8% | 11.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.6% | 9.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.0% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.1% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.5% | 15.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Walker County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 14.1% |
| 60+ min | 15.6% |
Four steps for Walker County borrowers
Steps that save money for Walker County residents:
- Price the Walker County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Alabama borrowers.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Who licenses lenders for Walker County residents
Walker County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Alabama State Banking Department. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Alabama guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Walker County
The Alabama guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Walker County a high-income county?
Its $56,509 median ranks 29th of 67 Alabama counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Walker County?
$756 a month at the median, about 16% of median household income.
Does this page cover Jasper?
Yes, along with the other 9 Census places in Walker County, such as Dora, Sumiton, Carbon Hill.
Is the fit check different in Walker County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Walker 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.