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 2026
- Indian Springs Village
- Choccolocco
- Emerald Mountain
- Magnolia Springs
- Redland
- Shoal Creek
- Point Clear
- Kimberly
- Grant
- Killen
- Alexandria
- Rehobeth
- Blue Ridge
- Leroy
- Hayden
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 2026
1. Indian Springs Village
/10
Population: 2,537
Median Income: $136,836 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $589,996 (3rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.7%
2. Choccolocco
/10
Population: 2,620
Median Income: $78,858 (28th Best)
Median Home Value: $296,157 (17th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.1%
3. Emerald Mountain
/10
Population: 3,535
Median Income: $123,347 (6th Best)
Median Home Value: $361,945 (7th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.8%
4. Magnolia Springs
/10
Population: 1,130
Median Income: $86,818 (14th Best)
Median Home Value: $498,364 (5th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.4%
5. Redland
/10
Population: 4,982
Median Income: $130,278 (3rd Best)
Median Home Value: $357,213 (9th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.5%
6. Shoal Creek
/10
Population: 1,328
Median Income: $218,333 (1st Best)
Median Home Value: $858,957 (2nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.4%
7. Point Clear
/10
Population: 1,511
Median Income: $46,097 (107th Best)
Median Home Value: $977,240 (1st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
8. Kimberly
/10
Population: 4,439
Median Income: $97,429 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $306,419 (14th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.8%
9. Grant
/10
Population: 1,336
Median Income: $91,477 (12th Best)
Median Home Value: $279,573 (22nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.2%
10. Killen
/10
Population: 1,150
Median Income: $69,722 (44th Best)
Median Home Value: $267,313 (25th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.7%
11. Alexandria
/10
Population: 3,475
Median Income: $85,089 (17th Best)
Median Home Value: $218,159 (50th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.7%
12. Rehobeth
/10
Population: 1,887
Median Income: $80,972 (24th Best)
Median Home Value: $277,731 (23rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.8%
13. Blue Ridge
/10
Population: 1,190
Median Income: $128,482 (4th Best)
Median Home Value: $354,735 (10th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
14. Leroy
/10
Population: 1,075
Median Income: $93,036 (11th Best)
Median Home Value: $247,267 (32nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
15. Hayden
/10
Population: 1,389
Median Income: $80,125 (27th Best)
Median Home Value: $242,924 (35th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.3%
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.
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, Choccolocco, Emerald Mountain, Magnolia Springs, Redland, Shoal Creek, Point Clear, Kimberly, Grant, and Killen.
If you’re curious, here are the worst small towns in Alabama:
- Clio
- Fort Deposit
- Frisco City
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 | 2,537 | $136,836 | 1.7% | |
| 2 | Choccolocco, AL | 2,620 | $78,858 | 1.1% | |
| 3 | Emerald Mountain, AL | 3,535 | $123,347 | 1.8% | |
| 4 | Magnolia Springs, AL | 1,130 | $86,818 | 2.4% | |
| 5 | Redland, AL | 4,982 | $130,278 | 2.5% | |
| 6 | Shoal Creek, AL | 1,328 | $218,333 | 2.4% | |
| 7 | Point Clear, AL | 1,511 | $46,097 | 0.0% | |
| 8 | Kimberly, AL | 4,439 | $97,429 | 2.8% | |
| 9 | Grant, AL | 1,336 | $91,477 | 2.2% | |
| 10 | Killen, AL | 1,150 | $69,722 | 3.7% | |
| 11 | Alexandria, AL | 3,475 | $85,089 | 1.7% | |
| 12 | Rehobeth, AL | 1,887 | $80,972 | 1.8% | |
| 13 | Blue Ridge, AL | 1,190 | $128,482 | 0.0% | |
| 14 | Leroy, AL | 1,075 | $93,036 | 3.9% | |
| 15 | Hayden, AL | 1,389 | $80,125 | 1.3% | |
| 16 | Hazel Green, AL | 3,940 | $86,271 | 4.7% | |
| 17 | Fort Rucker, AL | 4,705 | $74,541 | 4.8% | |
| 18 | Coker, AL | 1,058 | $55,313 | 0.0% | |
| 19 | New Hope, AL | 2,911 | $83,816 | 6.9% | |
| 20 | Summerdale, AL | 1,593 | $70,110 | 0.4% | |
| 21 | Rogersville, AL | 1,260 | $66,127 | 1.4% | |
| 22 | Deatsville, AL | 2,097 | $123,977 | 5.6% | |
| 23 | Brookwood, AL | 2,706 | $81,394 | 1.7% | |
| 24 | Level Plains, AL | 1,667 | $77,000 | 4.3% | |
| 25 | Hokes Bluff, AL | 4,547 | $74,968 | 6.2% | |
| 26 | Sardis City, AL | 2,046 | $67,721 | 4.1% | |
| 27 | Underwood-Petersville, AL | 3,100 | $48,219 | 3.2% | |
| 28 | Pine Level, AL | 4,170 | $93,134 | 3.8% | |
| 29 | Westover, AL | 2,298 | $96,932 | 0.6% | |
| 30 | Moundville, AL | 3,754 | $73,036 | 2.2% | |
| 31 | Fayetteville, AL | 1,154 | $100,255 | 0.0% | |
| 32 | Ardmore, AL | 1,384 | $50,352 | 1.5% | |
| 33 | Weaver, AL | 3,324 | $49,435 | 2.6% | |
| 34 | Coosada, AL | 1,105 | $61,815 | 1.6% | |
| 35 | Whitesboro, AL | 1,918 | $67,188 | 1.3% | |
| 36 | Theodore, AL | 4,964 | $67,864 | 2.5% | |
| 37 | Columbiana, AL | 4,725 | $80,546 | 5.0% | |
| 38 | Sylvan Springs, AL | 1,490 | $81,927 | 3.5% | |
| 39 | Ashland, AL | 1,797 | $42,308 | 0.0% | |
| 40 | New Market, AL | 1,314 | $62,500 | 2.3% | |
| 41 | Marbury, AL | 1,570 | $83,558 | 3.5% | |
| 42 | Moulton, AL | 3,401 | $57,813 | 4.6% | |
| 43 | Elberta, AL | 2,293 | $55,000 | 1.9% | |
| 44 | Grove Hill, AL | 2,341 | $59,219 | 7.7% | |
| 45 | Gallant, AL | 1,081 | $55,130 | 6.5% | |
| 46 | Jemison, AL | 2,796 | $65,800 | 3.6% | |
| 47 | Gordo, AL | 1,723 | $47,569 | 2.8% | |
| 48 | Newton, AL | 1,329 | $60,030 | 3.0% | |
| 49 | Falkville, AL | 1,606 | $46,888 | 1.9% | |
| 50 | Rock Creek, AL | 1,103 | $84,432 | 2.8% | |
| 51 | Smoke Rise, AL | 1,471 | $85,882 | 8.6% | |
| 52 | Harpersville, AL | 1,788 | $75,018 | 0.7% | |
| 53 | Dauphin Island, AL | 1,852 | $67,206 | 14.3% | |
| 54 | Cedar Bluff, AL | 1,629 | $52,500 | 3.9% | |
| 55 | Tidmore Bend, AL | 1,192 | $60,729 | 4.0% | |
| 56 | Hanceville, AL | 3,270 | $41,791 | 0.0% | |
| 57 | Butler, AL | 2,386 | $47,350 | 1.8% | |
| 58 | Huguley, AL | 2,577 | $43,750 | 0.0% | |
| 59 | Concord, AL | 1,913 | $66,406 | 5.0% | |
| 60 | Ohatchee, AL | 1,148 | $76,667 | 3.9% | |
| 61 | Dadeville, AL | 2,993 | $67,147 | 8.5% | |
| 62 | Grand Bay, AL | 3,553 | $62,112 | 5.6% | |
| 63 | Red Bay, AL | 3,201 | $37,473 | 2.8% | |
| 64 | Mount Vernon, AL | 1,339 | $46,307 | 2.7% | |
| 65 | Sylvania, AL | 1,925 | $56,161 | 5.4% | |
| 66 | New Brockton, AL | 1,430 | $72,212 | 0.3% | |
| 67 | Daleville, AL | 4,919 | $45,324 | 4.9% | |
| 68 | Geraldine, AL | 1,011 | $43,594 | 2.5% | |
| 69 | Eclectic, AL | 1,141 | $49,904 | 7.2% | |
| 70 | Centre, AL | 3,700 | $44,664 | 7.3% | |
| 71 | Coats Bend, AL | 1,630 | $70,409 | 1.4% | |
| 72 | Winfield, AL | 4,999 | $49,688 | 3.9% | |
| 73 | Dora, AL | 2,668 | $61,892 | 2.3% | |
| 74 | Cowarts, AL | 2,204 | $64,118 | 4.6% | |
| 75 | Woodstock, AL | 1,218 | $73,438 | 7.3% | |
| 76 | Lookout Mountain, AL | 1,120 | $80,362 | 0.0% | |
| 77 | Sumiton, AL | 2,459 | $65,568 | 2.3% | |
| 78 | Elmore, AL | 1,517 | $48,696 | 2.0% | |
| 79 | Cottondale, AL | 2,632 | $44,877 | 2.9% | |
| 80 | Locust Fork, AL | 1,402 | $50,000 | 4.5% | |
| 81 | Cleveland, AL | 1,182 | $71,328 | 5.6% | |
| 82 | Guin, AL | 2,381 | $51,117 | 11.2% | |
| 83 | Lineville, AL | 2,546 | $38,302 | 4.7% | |
| 84 | Valley Grande, AL | 4,047 | $58,929 | 3.9% | |
| 85 | Cherokee, AL | 1,120 | $50,815 | 6.3% | |
| 86 | Hartford, AL | 2,701 | $56,250 | 5.5% | |
| 87 | Greensboro, AL | 2,135 | $27,000 | 5.8% | |
| 88 | Centreville, AL | 2,741 | $39,477 | 8.9% | |
| 89 | Baileyton, AL | 1,039 | $63,143 | 2.1% | |
| 90 | Crossville, AL | 2,143 | $49,100 | 3.8% | |
| 91 | Stewartville, AL | 1,629 | $87,574 | 6.2% | |
| 92 | Adamsville, AL | 4,266 | $62,500 | 2.0% | |
| 93 | Jackson, AL | 4,589 | $37,948 | 18.4% | |
| 94 | Ashville, AL | 2,464 | $69,362 | 2.1% | |
| 95 | Millport, AL | 1,412 | $76,875 | 3.9% | |
| 96 | Warrior, AL | 3,207 | $57,557 | 7.5% | |
| 97 | Munford, AL | 1,508 | $42,284 | 7.9% | |
| 98 | Douglas, AL | 1,113 | $62,000 | 1.6% | |
| 99 | Snead, AL | 1,247 | $48,509 | 1.3% | |
| 100 | Wilsonville, AL | 1,879 | $72,115 | 17.0% |