You’ve seen these lists before. Best places to live in Alabama. Best sururbs in Alabama. Best counties in Alabama.
Etc., etc., etc.
But they all focus on major cities and towns in the Heart of Dixie, and no one pays attention to the little guy.
Well, that’s all about to change as we put together a list of the superb small towns in Alabama based on numbers–not opinions or hearsay.
We’ll dive right into our methodology in the next section, but first, we thought you might want to know which places in Alabama ranked the best based on Saturday Night Science.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 15 Best Small Towns To Live In Alabama For 2024
- Indian Springs Village
- Priceville
- Point Clear
- Kimberly
- Choccolocco
- Blue Ridge
- Shoal Creek
- Morris
- Emerald Mountain
- Magnolia Springs
- Lake View
- Grant
- Springville
- Argo
- Alexandria
What’s the best small town in Alabama? Indian Springs Village is the best small town in Alabama based on the most recent Census data. If you live in one of these small towns like Indian Springs Village, chances are, you’re not surprised. After all, you know how great you have it.
But for the rest of you–keep reading, and we’ll get to just why these small towns made our list.
For more reading on the Heart of Dixie check out:
The 15 Best Small Towns In Alabama For 2024
1. Indian Springs Village
/10
Population: 2,341
Median Income: $135,114 (1st Best)
Median Home Value: $512,542 (3rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.5%
2. Priceville
/10
Population: 3,561
Median Income: $105,362 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $302,412 (15th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.2%
3. Point Clear
/10
Population: 1,755
Median Income: $69,310 (42nd Best)
Median Home Value: $1,189,667 (1st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
4. Kimberly
/10
Population: 4,045
Median Income: $107,670 (6th Best)
Median Home Value: $285,863 (17th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.7%
5. Choccolocco
/10
Population: 2,776
Median Income: $67,975 (46th Best)
Median Home Value: $270,665 (22nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
6. Blue Ridge
/10
Population: 1,282
Median Income: $113,571 (5th Best)
Median Home Value: $379,525 (9th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.9%
7. Shoal Creek
/10
Population: 1,171
Median Income: $130,375 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $843,047 (2nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.1%
8. Morris
/10
Population: 2,273
Median Income: $91,750 (12th Best)
Median Home Value: $251,792 (33rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
9. Emerald Mountain
/10
Population: 3,569
Median Income: $121,466 (3rd Best)
Median Home Value: $368,392 (10th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.9%
10. Magnolia Springs
/10
Population: 1,325
Median Income: $88,583 (15th Best)
Median Home Value: $430,615 (6th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.3%
11. Lake View
/10
Population: 3,611
Median Income: $86,552 (18th Best)
Median Home Value: $269,961 (24th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 4.2%
12. Grant
/10
Population: 1,667
Median Income: $81,875 (21st Best)
Median Home Value: $252,470 (32nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.2%
13. Springville
/10
Population: 4,824
Median Income: $62,386 (59th Best)
Median Home Value: $319,368 (13th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.5%
14. Argo
/10
Population: 4,416
Median Income: $87,134 (17th Best)
Median Home Value: $259,408 (28th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.4%
15. Alexandria
/10
Population: 3,748
Median Income: $95,039 (10th Best)
Median Home Value: $193,484 (73rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.9%
Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In Alabama
We threw a lot of criteria at this report to get the best, most complete results of the best small towns in Alabama possible.
Using the most recent data from the Census’s 2018-2022 American Community Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Saturday Night Science, this is the criteria we used:
- Population Density (Higher is better)
- Lowest Unemployment Rates
- Housing costs (Higher is better. More demand.)
- Adjusted Median Income (Higher is better)
- Highly Educated Adults (Higher is better)
- Insurance Rates (Higher is better)
- Commute Times (Lower is better)
We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which there were many – 194 to be exact.
We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 194, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in Alabama. Top of that list — Indian Springs Village.
This is our tenth time ranking the best small places to live in Alabama.
Summary: Science Can Tackle Any Issue, Even Small Ones
We said it once, and we’ll say it again — this list: it’s just science. We did the research, crunched the numbers, and it turns out these 15 small towns in Alabama are the best in which to live.
And who can argue with that?
The best small towns in Alabama are Indian Springs Village, Priceville, Point Clear, Kimberly, Choccolocco, Blue Ridge, Shoal Creek, Morris, Emerald Mountain, and Magnolia Springs.
If you’re curious, here are the worst small towns in Alabama:
- Clio
- Fort Deposit
- Camp Hill
For more Alabama reading, check out:
Best Small Towns In Alabama
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Median Home Value | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Springs Village, AL | 2,341 | $135,114 | 2.5% | |
| 2 | Priceville, AL | 3,561 | $105,362 | 0.2% | |
| 3 | Point Clear, AL | 1,755 | $69,310 | 0.0% | |
| 4 | Kimberly, AL | 4,045 | $107,670 | 0.7% | |
| 5 | Choccolocco, AL | 2,776 | $67,975 | 0.0% | |
| 6 | Blue Ridge, AL | 1,282 | $113,571 | 1.9% | |
| 7 | Shoal Creek, AL | 1,171 | $130,375 | 3.1% | |
| 8 | Morris, AL | 2,273 | $91,750 | 4.3% | |
| 9 | Emerald Mountain, AL | 3,569 | $121,466 | 1.9% | |
| 10 | Magnolia Springs, AL | 1,325 | $88,583 | 2.3% | |
| 11 | Lake View, AL | 3,611 | $86,552 | 4.2% | |
| 12 | Grant, AL | 1,667 | $81,875 | 2.2% | |
| 13 | Springville, AL | 4,824 | $62,386 | 1.5% | |
| 14 | Argo, AL | 4,416 | $87,134 | 0.4% | |
| 15 | Alexandria, AL | 3,748 | $95,039 | 0.9% | |
| 16 | Trinity, AL | 2,510 | $94,706 | 2.4% | |
| 17 | Hokes Bluff, AL | 4,449 | $72,333 | 4.2% | |
| 18 | Loxley, AL | 3,757 | $89,435 | 1.0% | |
| 19 | Redland, AL | 4,960 | $121,033 | 1.3% | |
| 20 | Triana, AL | 3,114 | $89,531 | 12.2% | |
| 21 | Deatsville, AL | 2,514 | $106,080 | 5.1% | |
| 22 | Killen, AL | 1,344 | $60,956 | 2.5% | |
| 23 | Summerdale, AL | 1,497 | $70,500 | 1.1% | |
| 24 | Brookwood, AL | 2,420 | $75,125 | 1.5% | |
| 25 | Hayden, AL | 1,579 | $80,221 | 2.2% | |
| 26 | Weaver, AL | 3,312 | $81,250 | 3.8% | |
| 27 | Concord, AL | 1,698 | $72,724 | 2.5% | |
| 28 | Sardis City, AL | 1,941 | $58,906 | 4.3% | |
| 29 | Geraldine, AL | 1,122 | $51,923 | 2.1% | |
| 30 | Coker, AL | 1,006 | $54,559 | 0.0% | |
| 31 | Level Plains, AL | 1,889 | $68,086 | 3.0% | |
| 32 | Pine Level, AL | 3,881 | $82,301 | 4.4% | |
| 33 | New Hope, AL | 2,875 | $76,680 | 7.9% | |
| 34 | Hazel Green, AL | 3,971 | $75,625 | 11.4% | |
| 35 | Rehobeth, AL | 1,896 | $68,958 | 4.1% | |
| 36 | Winfield, AL | 4,832 | $73,810 | 2.6% | |
| 37 | Leroy, AL | 1,061 | $102,500 | 8.1% | |
| 38 | Columbiana, AL | 4,552 | $58,214 | 0.9% | |
| 39 | Westover, AL | 2,404 | $87,772 | 2.5% | |
| 40 | Jemison, AL | 2,671 | $62,907 | 5.2% | |
| 41 | Dunnavant, AL | 1,134 | $64,107 | 0.0% | |
| 42 | Coaling, AL | 2,203 | $74,032 | 12.0% | |
| 43 | Owens Cross Roads, AL | 2,567 | $70,750 | 7.9% | |
| 44 | Rogersville, AL | 1,350 | $58,229 | 3.5% | |
| 45 | Sylvania, AL | 1,971 | $50,993 | 3.4% | |
| 46 | Holtville, AL | 4,986 | $66,292 | 4.1% | |
| 47 | Vance, AL | 1,646 | $72,759 | 2.3% | |
| 48 | Dauphin Island, AL | 1,793 | $62,000 | 15.2% | |
| 49 | Smoke Rise, AL | 1,504 | $84,583 | 9.1% | |
| 50 | Moundville, AL | 3,173 | $64,643 | 2.0% | |
| 51 | Coosada, AL | 1,088 | $63,365 | 4.5% | |
| 52 | Thorsby, AL | 2,552 | $72,188 | 5.3% | |
| 53 | Gordo, AL | 1,874 | $54,688 | 4.6% | |
| 54 | Marbury, AL | 2,126 | $77,426 | 2.7% | |
| 55 | Newton, AL | 1,528 | $64,297 | 4.0% | |
| 56 | New Market, AL | 1,095 | $61,188 | 1.8% | |
| 57 | Stewartville, AL | 1,669 | $59,000 | 1.6% | |
| 58 | Ladonia, AL | 4,025 | $55,000 | 1.0% | |
| 59 | Centre, AL | 3,609 | $41,924 | 7.5% | |
| 60 | Cowarts, AL | 2,174 | $56,845 | 3.1% | |
| 61 | Sumiton, AL | 2,516 | $63,682 | 5.9% | |
| 62 | Butler, AL | 2,428 | $47,250 | 1.1% | |
| 63 | Centreville, AL | 2,782 | $36,777 | 3.6% | |
| 64 | Huguley, AL | 3,020 | $41,338 | 2.6% | |
| 65 | Fayetteville, AL | 1,222 | $72,058 | 0.0% | |
| 66 | Sylvan Springs, AL | 1,521 | $73,482 | 8.2% | |
| 67 | Grand Bay, AL | 3,607 | $72,125 | 4.4% | |
| 68 | Rock Creek, AL | 1,446 | $71,106 | 3.8% | |
| 69 | Whitesboro, AL | 2,134 | $63,516 | 2.0% | |
| 70 | Ardmore, AL | 1,304 | $39,973 | 1.7% | |
| 71 | Falkville, AL | 1,422 | $42,863 | 4.3% | |
| 72 | Daleville, AL | 4,901 | $42,969 | 6.8% | |
| 73 | Childersburg, AL | 4,743 | $45,483 | 8.2% | |
| 74 | Grove Hill, AL | 1,995 | $46,218 | 13.0% | |
| 75 | Underwood-Petersville, AL | 3,077 | $44,375 | 4.9% | |
| 76 | Pisgah, AL | 1,053 | $51,667 | 5.3% | |
| 77 | Coats Bend, AL | 1,353 | $48,243 | 2.3% | |
| 78 | Jackson, AL | 4,719 | $52,530 | 19.0% | |
| 79 | Ashford, AL | 2,476 | $51,215 | 3.8% | |
| 80 | Crossville, AL | 2,043 | $47,750 | 2.0% | |
| 81 | Douglas, AL | 1,001 | $48,250 | 2.4% | |
| 82 | Elberta, AL | 2,140 | $47,452 | 4.2% | |
| 83 | New Brockton, AL | 1,282 | $54,643 | 4.2% | |
| 84 | Wilsonville, AL | 1,998 | $62,292 | 18.1% | |
| 85 | Moulton, AL | 3,392 | $37,614 | 8.5% | |
| 86 | Heflin, AL | 3,440 | $45,288 | 4.0% | |
| 87 | Cedar Bluff, AL | 1,672 | $45,861 | 10.1% | |
| 88 | Vernon, AL | 1,801 | $37,350 | 4.3% | |
| 89 | Marion, AL | 3,128 | $36,618 | 18.7% | |
| 90 | Luverne, AL | 2,728 | $52,264 | 6.4% | |
| 91 | Taylor, AL | 2,891 | $55,938 | 3.5% | |
| 92 | Valley Grande, AL | 4,147 | $64,258 | 3.2% | |
| 93 | Eutaw, AL | 2,890 | $33,371 | 0.0% | |
| 94 | Hanceville, AL | 3,216 | $34,782 | 8.2% | |
| 95 | Hartford, AL | 2,660 | $44,977 | 0.6% | |
| 96 | Harpersville, AL | 1,654 | $70,919 | 5.4% | |
| 97 | Red Bay, AL | 3,210 | $33,234 | 3.6% | |
| 98 | Cleveland, AL | 1,252 | $49,387 | 6.2% | |
| 99 | Woodville, AL | 1,053 | $53,542 | 10.9% | |
| 100 | Woodstock, AL | 1,391 | $65,469 | 13.3% |