Best small towns to live in Alabama

1. 1
   Geneva, AL Score 82/100

   4,225 people · typical home $101k · household income $47k · 27 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 24% of AL · 9.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

2. 2
   Good Hope, AL Score 82/100

   2,574 people · typical home $203k · household income $94k · 158 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 17% of AL · 2.0% unemployment · 12 mi to a hospital

3. 3
   Florala, AL Score 76/100

   1,822 people · typical home $92k · household income $52k · 210 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 24% of AL · 4.0% unemployment · 17 mi to a hospital

4. 4
   Baileyton, AL Score 76/100

   1,039 people · typical home $144k · household income $63k · 158 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 31% of AL · 3.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

5. 5
   Whitesboro, AL Score 75/100

   1,918 people · typical home $154k · household income $67k · 195 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 21% of AL · 2.0% unemployment · 8 mi to a hospital

6. 6
   Hackleburg, AL Score 74/100

   1,709 people · typical home $105k · household income $42k · 154 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 28% of AL · 6.0% unemployment · 12 mi to a hospital

7. 7
   Winfield, AL Score 73/100

   4,999 people · typical home $166k · household income $50k · 118 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 12% of AL · 4.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

8. 8
   Hamilton, AL Score 73/100

   6,922 people · typical home $106k · household income $55k · 269 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 28% of AL · 4.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

9. 9
   Samson, AL Score 73/100

   1,669 people · typical home $91k · household income $33k · 17 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 22% of AL · 10.0% unemployment · 10 mi to a hospital

10. 10
    Carlisle-Rockledge, AL Score 71/100

    1,993 people · typical home $116k · household income $60k · 195 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 21% of AL · 11.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

11. 11
    Bear Creek, AL Score 69/100

    1,474 people · typical home $97k · household income $50k · 232 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 28% of AL · 7.0% unemployment · 9 mi to a hospital

12. 12
    Susan Moore, AL Score 69/100

    1,336 people · typical home $120k · household income $85k · 229 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 41% of AL · 4.0% unemployment · 15 mi to a hospital

13. 13
    Leroy, AL Score 67/100

    1,075 people · typical home $220k · household income $93k · 106 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 64% of AL · 4.0% unemployment · 6 mi to a hospital

14. 14
    Millport, AL Score 66/100

    1,412 people · typical home $104k · household income $77k · 279 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 44% of AL · 4.0% unemployment · 17 mi to a hospital

15. 15
    Boaz, AL Score 65/100

    10,814 people · typical home $199k · household income $50k · 103 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 43% of AL · 2.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

16. 16
    Fyffe, AL Score 63/100

    1,190 people · typical home $113k · household income $43k · 167 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 65% of AL · 4.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

17. 17
    Rainsville, AL Score 63/100

    5,702 people · typical home $230k · household income $74k · 99 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 65% of AL · 1.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

18. 18
    Thomasville, AL Score 63/100

    3,619 people · typical home $116k · household income $43k · 203 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 37% of AL · 4.0% unemployment · 17 mi to a hospital

19. 19
    Oneonta, AL Score 63/100

    6,971 people · typical home $221k · household income $54k · 150 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 15% of AL · 2.0% unemployment · 24 mi to a hospital

20. 20
    Guin, AL Score 63/100

    2,381 people · typical home $112k · household income $51k · 317 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 28% of AL · 10.0% unemployment · 8 mi to a hospital

21. 21
    Blountsville, AL Score 62/100

    1,648 people · typical home $131k · household income $48k · 224 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 41% of AL · 4.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

22. 22
    Hanceville, AL Score 62/100

    3,270 people · typical home $170k · household income $42k · 158 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 31% of AL · 1.0% unemployment · 12 mi to a hospital

23. 23
    Douglas, AL Score 60/100

    1,113 people · typical home $175k · household income $62k · 176 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 61% of AL · 2.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

24. 24
    Grant, AL Score 60/100

    1,336 people · typical home $239k · household income $91k · 225 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 61% of AL · 3.0% unemployment · 20 mi to a hospital

25. 25
    Bon Secour, AL Score 59/100

    2,789 people · typical home $310k · household income $61k · 194 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 13% of AL · 5.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

How we ranked them

Every small town in Alabama with 1,000–15,000 people that stands on its own (not part of a big metro core, by USDA rural-urban codes) and has solid Census data. Each town is scored against the others in Alabama on: affordability (household income vs. home prices), safety (violent crime, FBI), schools (reading proficiency vs. other Alabama districts), jobs (unemployment, half weight) and everyday access (distance to a hospital and a grocery store, quarter weight each). Missing numbers count as average.

The "best" town is different for everyone — weather, size, politics, things to do and more all matter too.

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