You’ve seen these lists before. Best places to live in Alabama. Best suburbs 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.
$136,836 median income · 1.7% unemployment
$78,858 median income · 1.1% unemployment
$123,347 median income · 1.8% unemployment
$86,818 median income · 2.4% unemployment
$130,278 median income · 2.5% unemployment
$218,333 median income · 2.4% unemployment
$46,097 median income · 0.0% unemployment
$97,429 median income · 2.8% unemployment
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$91,477 median income · 2.2% unemployment
$69,722 median income · 3.7% unemployment
The receipts
Compare the top ten
Pick a metric. The bars rescale. The red line is Alabama’s statewide median.
Alabama statewide median: $63,999
Alabama statewide median: $236,453
Alabama statewide median: 4.7%
On the map
Where Alabama’s best small towns are
Saturday Night Science
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 2020-2024 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 – 164 to be exact.
We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 164, 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 eleventh time ranking the best small places to live in Alabama.
The full plate
Best Small Towns In Alabama
Click any column to sort. Search by town name.
| Rank | Town | Population | Median Income | Median Home Value | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Springs Village | 2,537 | $136,836 | $589,996 | 1.7% |
| 2 | Choccolocco | 2,620 | $78,858 | $296,157 | 1.1% |
| 3 | Emerald Mountain | 3,535 | $123,347 | $361,945 | 1.8% |
| 4 | Magnolia Springs | 1,130 | $86,818 | $498,365 | 2.4% |
| 5 | Redland | 4,982 | $130,278 | $357,214 | 2.5% |
| 6 | Shoal Creek | 1,328 | $218,333 | $858,958 | 2.4% |
| 7 | Point Clear | 1,511 | $46,097 | $977,241 | 0.0% |
| 8 | Kimberly | 4,439 | $97,429 | $306,419 | 2.8% |
| 9 | Grant | 1,336 | $91,477 | $279,574 | 2.2% |
| 10 | Killen | 1,150 | $69,722 | $267,314 | 3.7% |
| 11 | Alexandria | 3,475 | $85,089 | $218,159 | 1.7% |
| 12 | Rehobeth | 1,887 | $80,972 | $277,732 | 1.8% |
| 13 | Blue Ridge | 1,190 | $128,482 | $354,736 | 0.0% |
| 14 | Leroy | 1,075 | $93,036 | $247,267 | 3.9% |
| 15 | Hayden | 1,389 | $80,125 | $242,924 | 1.3% |
| 16 | Hazel Green | 3,940 | $86,271 | $262,793 | 4.7% |
| 17 | Fort Rucker | 4,705 | $74,541 | $0 | 4.8% |
| 18 | Coker | 1,058 | $55,313 | $201,060 | 0.0% |
| 19 | New Hope | 2,911 | $83,816 | $231,398 | 6.9% |
| 20 | Summerdale | 1,593 | $70,110 | $287,726 | 0.4% |
| 21 | Rogersville | 1,260 | $66,127 | $252,981 | 1.4% |
| 22 | Deatsville | 2,097 | $123,977 | $291,209 | 5.6% |
| 23 | Brookwood | 2,706 | $81,394 | $187,432 | 1.7% |
| 24 | Level Plains | 1,667 | $77,000 | $211,877 | 4.3% |
| 25 | Hokes Bluff | 4,547 | $74,968 | $214,575 | 6.2% |
| 26 | Sardis City | 2,046 | $67,721 | $243,852 | 4.1% |
| 27 | Underwood-Petersville | 3,100 | $48,219 | $160,977 | 3.2% |
| 28 | Pine Level | 4,170 | $93,134 | $270,698 | 3.8% |
| 29 | Westover | 2,298 | $96,932 | $296,254 | 0.6% |
| 30 | Moundville | 3,754 | $73,036 | $221,426 | 2.2% |
| 31 | Fayetteville | 1,154 | $100,255 | $336,261 | 0.0% |
| 32 | Ardmore | 1,384 | $50,352 | $254,439 | 1.5% |
| 33 | Weaver | 3,324 | $49,435 | $175,410 | 2.6% |
| 34 | Coosada | 1,105 | $61,815 | $212,086 | 1.6% |
| 35 | Whitesboro | 1,918 | $67,188 | $173,932 | 1.3% |
| 36 | Theodore | 4,964 | $67,864 | $200,099 | 2.5% |
| 37 | Columbiana | 4,725 | $80,546 | $305,059 | 5.0% |
| 38 | Sylvan Springs | 1,490 | $81,927 | $204,303 | 3.5% |
| 39 | Ashland | 1,797 | $42,308 | $181,406 | 0.0% |
| 40 | New Market | 1,314 | $62,500 | $291,245 | 2.3% |
| 41 | Marbury | 1,570 | $83,558 | $230,022 | 3.5% |
| 42 | Moulton | 3,401 | $57,813 | $226,015 | 4.6% |
| 43 | Elberta | 2,293 | $55,000 | $342,687 | 1.9% |
| 44 | Grove Hill | 2,341 | $59,219 | $141,826 | 7.7% |
| 45 | Gallant | 1,081 | $55,130 | $221,516 | 6.5% |
| 46 | Jemison | 2,796 | $65,800 | $222,510 | 3.6% |
| 47 | Gordo | 1,723 | $47,569 | $180,086 | 2.8% |
| 48 | Newton | 1,329 | $60,030 | $255,629 | 3.0% |
| 49 | Falkville | 1,606 | $46,888 | $209,790 | 1.9% |
| 50 | Rock Creek | 1,103 | $84,432 | $196,235 | 2.8% |
| 51 | Smoke Rise | 1,471 | $85,882 | $227,215 | 8.6% |
| 52 | Harpersville | 1,788 | $75,018 | $281,134 | 0.7% |
| 53 | Dauphin Island | 1,852 | $67,206 | $461,456 | 14.3% |
| 54 | Cedar Bluff | 1,629 | $52,500 | $243,994 | 3.9% |
| 55 | Tidmore Bend | 1,192 | $60,729 | $183,057 | 4.0% |
| 56 | Hanceville | 3,270 | $41,791 | $212,552 | 0.0% |
| 57 | Butler | 2,386 | $47,350 | $135,881 | 1.8% |
| 58 | Huguley | 2,577 | $43,750 | $159,400 | 0.0% |
| 59 | Concord | 1,913 | $66,406 | $184,887 | 5.0% |
| 60 | Ohatchee | 1,148 | $76,667 | $205,461 | 3.9% |
| 61 | Dadeville | 2,993 | $67,147 | $518,578 | 8.5% |
| 62 | Grand Bay | 3,553 | $62,112 | $214,460 | 5.6% |
| 63 | Red Bay | 3,201 | $37,473 | $157,881 | 2.8% |
| 64 | Mount Vernon | 1,339 | $46,307 | $105,208 | 2.7% |
| 65 | Sylvania | 1,925 | $56,161 | $193,456 | 5.4% |
| 66 | New Brockton | 1,430 | $72,212 | $151,959 | 0.3% |
| 67 | Daleville | 4,919 | $45,324 | $147,393 | 4.9% |
| 68 | Geraldine | 1,011 | $43,594 | $190,572 | 2.5% |
| 69 | Eclectic | 1,141 | $49,904 | $357,569 | 7.2% |
| 70 | Centre | 3,700 | $44,664 | $218,924 | 7.3% |
| 71 | Coats Bend | 1,630 | $70,409 | $168,525 | 1.4% |
| 72 | Winfield | 4,999 | $49,688 | $174,244 | 3.9% |
| 73 | Dora | 2,668 | $61,892 | $171,543 | 2.3% |
| 74 | Cowarts | 2,204 | $64,118 | $181,999 | 4.6% |
| 75 | Woodstock | 1,218 | $73,438 | $221,042 | 7.3% |
| 76 | Lookout Mountain | 1,120 | $80,362 | $178,325 | 0.0% |
| 77 | Sumiton | 2,459 | $65,568 | $146,108 | 2.3% |
| 78 | Elmore | 1,517 | $48,696 | $239,215 | 2.0% |
| 79 | Cottondale | 2,632 | $44,877 | $173,432 | 2.9% |
| 80 | Locust Fork | 1,402 | $50,000 | $222,201 | 4.5% |
| 81 | Cleveland | 1,182 | $71,328 | $192,406 | 5.6% |
| 82 | Guin | 2,381 | $51,117 | $154,084 | 11.2% |
| 83 | Lineville | 2,546 | $38,302 | $203,542 | 4.7% |
| 84 | Valley Grande | 4,047 | $58,929 | $183,935 | 3.9% |
| 85 | Cherokee | 1,120 | $50,815 | $141,953 | 6.3% |
| 86 | Hartford | 2,701 | $56,250 | $170,255 | 5.5% |
| 87 | Greensboro | 2,135 | $27,000 | $143,837 | 5.8% |
| 88 | Centreville | 2,741 | $39,477 | $208,823 | 8.9% |
| 89 | Baileyton | 1,039 | $63,143 | $228,651 | 2.1% |
| 90 | Crossville | 2,143 | $49,100 | $193,917 | 3.8% |
| 91 | Stewartville | 1,629 | $87,574 | $106,004 | 6.2% |
| 92 | Adamsville | 4,266 | $62,500 | $140,290 | 2.0% |
| 93 | Jackson | 4,589 | $37,948 | $137,423 | 18.4% |
| 94 | Ashville | 2,464 | $69,362 | $254,260 | 2.1% |
| 95 | Millport | 1,412 | $76,875 | $144,935 | 3.9% |
| 96 | Warrior | 3,207 | $57,557 | $235,636 | 7.5% |
| 97 | Munford | 1,508 | $42,284 | $197,909 | 7.9% |
| 98 | Douglas | 1,113 | $62,000 | $197,588 | 1.6% |
| 99 | Snead | 1,247 | $48,509 | $214,378 | 1.3% |
| 100 | Wilsonville | 1,879 | $72,115 | $345,150 | 17.0% |
Source: U.S. Census ACS 2020-2024 via Saturday Night Science. 164 Alabama towns between 1,000 and 5,000 residents.
Summary
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 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, Choccolocco, Emerald Mountain, Magnolia Springs, Redland, Shoal Creek, Point Clear, Kimberly, Grant, and Killen. Not sold on Alabama? Take the two-minute Find Your Place quiz and see which state actually fits you.
Questions and answers
Best Small Towns In Alabama FAQs
What is the best small town to live in Alabama?
Indian Springs Village is the best small town in Alabama for 2026. The median household income there is $136,836 and the median home costs $589,996. Choccolocco and Emerald Mountain round out the top three.
What are the best small towns in Alabama?
The best small towns in Alabama are Indian Springs Village, Choccolocco, Emerald Mountain, Magnolia Springs, Redland, Shoal Creek, Point Clear, Kimberly, Grant, and Killen. We ranked all 164 Alabama towns with between 1,000 and 5,000 residents.
What counts as a small town?
For this ranking, a small town is any Alabama place with between 1,000 and 5,000 residents. 164 towns fit that window this year.
How do you rank the best small towns in Alabama?
Each town is scored on density, unemployment, housing costs, income, education, insurance coverage, and commute times, using Census American Community Survey data. The town with the best average across all of it, Indian Springs Village, takes the top spot.
How much does a home cost in Indian Springs Village?
The median home in Indian Springs Village runs $589,996, against $236,453 across Alabama as a whole. Pair that with a $136,836 median household income, and you can see why it ranks so well.
