1st Advantage MortgageWilcox County households have a median income of $40,640 and median rent of $745 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Wilcox County at a glance
- The Wilcox County job picture
- What Wilcox County households earn
- Housing costs in Wilcox County
- Regional comparison for Wilcox County
- The communities that make up Wilcox County
- Debt-to-income at Wilcox County's medians
- People and households in Wilcox County
- Before borrowing in Wilcox County
- Lender oversight for Wilcox County
- Four steps for Wilcox County borrowers
- More guides for Wilcox County
- Frequently asked questions
Wilcox County at a glance
With an estimated 10,172 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Wilcox County ranks 63rd of 67 in Alabama for population. Land area is 888 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 11 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Wilcox County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Camden is the biggest of its 7 Census places, at roughly 1,803 people (18% of the county total).
The Wilcox County job picture
By the Census industry count, 19% of employed Wilcox County residents work in manufacturing and 18% in education and health care. The sharpest difference from the state is in public administration, at 12% locally and 6% for Alabama. Averaged over the five survey years, 11.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 27% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 5% work from home. Households without a car make up 10.4% of the total (5.4% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Wilcox County workers | vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 18.6% | +4.5 pts |
| Education and health care | 17.7% | -5.0 pts |
| Public administration | 12.2% | +6.6 pts |
| Construction | 10.2% | +3.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.1% | -2.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.5% | +1.6 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.
What Wilcox County households earn
The median household income in Wilcox County is $40,640; statewide it is $63,999, so Wilcox County runs 36% below Alabama as a whole. In the state ranking that is 60th of 67.
| Households earning | Wilcox County | +/- vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 42.2% | +14.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.6% | +0.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 13.0% | -9.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.2% | -4.6 pts |
Some 42% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 16% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 28.2%, 13 points higher than the state's 15.6%. None of these numbers decides a Wilcox County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Housing costs in Wilcox County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $745 in Wilcox County versus $1,007 statewide. 48% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 34% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $98,800, about 2.4 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 77%. Median construction year: 1985.
| Cost | Wilcox County | Alabama figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $745/mo | $1,007/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $98,800 | $209,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 41% | 24% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 28% | 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).
Regional comparison for Wilcox County
Six nearby counties, 26 to 40 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $35,627 in Dallas County to $49,249 in Clarke County; 4 of these neighbors top Wilcox County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilcox County | - | $40,640 | $745/mo | 77% |
| Dallas County, AL | 26 mi | $35,627 | $733/mo | 64% |
| Monroe County, AL | 29 mi | $42,292 | $666/mo | 72% |
| Marengo County, AL | 34 mi | $43,825 | $716/mo | 70% |
| Clarke County, AL | 37 mi | $49,249 | $782/mo | 71% |
| Lowndes County, AL | 40 mi | $37,052 | $710/mo | 78% |
| Butler County, AL | 40 mi | $44,755 | $725/mo | 66% |
The communities that make up Wilcox County
The table lists the 7 largest of 7 Census places in Wilcox County, by population. Together all 7 hold about 2,974 people, so roughly 71% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 7 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | city | 1,803 | $36,481 | $576 | 1 mi |
| Pine Hill | town | 626 | $33,864 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Boykin | CDP | 239 | $51,667 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Yellow Bluff | town | 170 | n/a | $817 | 10 mi |
| Pine Apple | town | 125 | $43,750 | $600 | 20 mi |
| Catherine | CDP | 8 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
| Oak Hill | town | 3 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Debt-to-income at Wilcox County's medians
Wilcox County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $3,387 before taxes
- 22% goes to median rent ($745)
- At 40%, room after rent is $610 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
People and households in Wilcox County
College graduates make up 13% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 8.7%, against 9.2% for Alabama.
| Measure | Wilcox County | Alabama statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.3 | 39.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.9% | 28.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 18.6% | 11.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.7% | 9.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.4% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.1% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 28.2% | 15.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 11.8% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 19.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.0% |
| 60+ min | 13.7% |
Before borrowing in Wilcox County
A few patterns in the Wilcox County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Commuter costs. 27% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 36% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Free help first. 28% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- Renters under pressure. When 48% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Lender oversight for Wilcox County
The Alabama State Banking Department is the place to verify any lender's Alabama license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Alabama guide.
Four steps for Wilcox County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Alabama.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
More guides for Wilcox County
For statewide rules and data, see the Alabama guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Wilcox County earn?
The median is $40,640; 16% earn $100,000 or more and 42% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Wilcox County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $745 a month; 48% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Wilcox County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 77% of Wilcox County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Wilcox County?
By population: Camden, Pine Hill, Boykin, Yellow Bluff, Pine Apple. The county has 7 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Wilcox County or elsewhere in Alabama, the same rules apply.