1st Advantage MortgageThe median Winston County household earns $57,256, and 19% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Who lives in Winston County
- Winston County housing compared with Alabama
- How much Winston County households make
- The Winston County job picture
- Counties near Winston County
- The communities that make up Winston County
- Who lives in Winston County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Winston County
- Budget math at the Winston County median
- Checking a lender's license in Alabama
- Four steps for Winston County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Winston County
Winston County is home to about 23,682 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 42nd most populous of 67 county-level areas in Alabama. It covers 613 square miles of land, or about 39 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Winston County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 7 Census places inside Winston County, Haleyville leads by population with about 4,271; 7 of the 7 are incorporated.
Winston County housing compared with Alabama
A typical Winston County rental runs $803 a month including utilities, which is 20% below Alabama. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 33% of renter households here. With a median value of $118,900, a typical Winston County house costs 2.1 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 76% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1988.
| Winston County | Alabama | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $803/mo | $1,007/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $118,900 | $209,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 33% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 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).
How much Winston County households make
The median household income in Winston County is $57,256; statewide it is $63,999, so Winston County runs 11% below Alabama as a whole. Only 27 Alabama counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Winston County | Difference from Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.0% | +3.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.7% | +5.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.9% | -6.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.5% | -3.3 pts |
About 32% of households earn under $35,000, while 21% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 18.7%, 3 points higher than the state's 15.6%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.447 (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 Winston County median.
The Winston County job picture
The biggest employer of Winston County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 23% of workers, followed by education and health care (18%). Compared with Alabama, the county leans toward manufacturing (23% against 14%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.6% in Winston County. Long commutes are common here: 22% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 4.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Winston County workers | vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 23.4% | +9.3 pts |
| Education and health care | 17.9% | -4.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.1% | +2.5 pts |
| Construction | 11.1% | +4.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.2% | +1.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.5% | -4.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Counties near Winston County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Winston County's, from 25 to 36 miles away. Income ranges from $50,088 in Marion County to $68,845 in Morgan County; 3 of these neighbors top Winston County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winston County | - | $57,256 | $803/mo | 76% |
| Walker County, AL | 25 mi | $56,509 | $756/mo | 76% |
| Lawrence County, AL | 26 mi | $66,071 | $753/mo | 82% |
| Cullman County, AL | 28 mi | $62,656 | $908/mo | 77% |
| Marion County, AL | 30 mi | $50,088 | $630/mo | 77% |
| Franklin County, AL | 34 mi | $53,338 | $676/mo | 72% |
| Morgan County, AL | 36 mi | $68,845 | $864/mo | 73% |
The communities that make up Winston County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Winston County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 7,529 residents, leaving about 68% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Arley has the highest median household income on the list ($71,818) and Haleyville the lowest ($42,058), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $481 in Double Springs to $770 in Lynn. No Winston County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 7.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haleyville | city | 4,271 | $42,058 | $758 | 15 mi |
| Double Springs | town | 1,068 | $47,768 | $481 | 1 mi |
| Lynn | town | 780 | $44,010 | $770 | 12 mi |
| Addison | town | 649 | $56,384 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Arley | town | 523 | $71,818 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Nauvoo | town | 189 | $45,625 | $842 | 14 mi |
| Natural Bridge | town | 49 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
Who lives in Winston County, in numbers
14% of Winston County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 9% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Winston County | Alabama | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.4 | 39.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.3% | 28.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 22.5% | 11.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.9% | 9.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.9% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.3% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.7% | 15.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Winston County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.8% |
| 60+ min | 13.8% |
Before borrowing in Winston County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Winston County borrowers.
- Keeping the car running. At 22% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Winston County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Manufactured homes. 30% of Winston County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Retirees. At a median age of 45.4, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Free help first. 19% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
Budget math at the Winston County median
How much room does a median Winston County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $57,256 a year is $4,771 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $803 uses 17%
- $1,249: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Winston County's.
Checking a lender's license in Alabama
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Winston County, check the Alabama State Banking Department. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Alabama guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Winston County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Winston County:
- Price the Winston County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the Alabama license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Alabama guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Winston County earn?
The median is $57,256; 21% earn $100,000 or more and 32% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Winston County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $803 against $1,007 statewide, and 33% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Haleyville?
Yes, along with the other 6 Census places in Winston County, such as Double Springs, Lynn, Addison.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Winston County or elsewhere in Alabama, the same rules apply.
Is there a Winston County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Alabama it is the Alabama State Banking Department.