AL77nRoad-RainbowCitySunset, 2013
Rainbow City’s story
66 years in pictures
Census counts: 1,625 in 1960, 10,191 in 2020. The archive holds 2 old photos and papers going back to 2013 and 2 maps from 1947 on.
- 1960Rainbow City is settled
Rainbow CityAL
A town of 10,406, settled in 1960. Public schools that outperform most of Alabama.
Population
10,406
2025 Census estimate · +1.9% since 2020
Typical home
$252K
+3.1% in a year
Household income
$56K
median
Median age
41.7
years
Jobs based here
3,477
Balanced
TownGrade
C
#94 of 187 in AL
Is Rainbow City a good place to live?
Rainbow City grades C overall, 94th among Alabama's 187 graded towns, with clear strengths and some subjects that lag. On the other side, residents are less healthy than 76% of U.S. towns on CDC estimates. It also does better than most on schools: its schools outperform 74% of the state's. Its lowest everyday mark is in incomes: the median household income is $56K, and 10% of residents live below the poverty line. A typical home there costs about $252K, 4.6 years of the Gadsden metro’s $55K median household income. Only 15 of Alabama’s 308 towns score lower on cost of living. Rainbow City has 1 place on the National Register. On civic life, just 10 of Alabama’s 258 towns do better.
What makes Rainbow City stand out
Where Rainbow City beats most towns.
How Rainbow City grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Alabama), ordered by how far Rainbow City is from typical.
HealthRiverview Regional Medical Center 7 miles awayC−Open →Jobs & incomeC−Open →SchoolsB+Open →Hazard riskinland flooding tops the listCOpen →Cost of livingCOpen →SafetyBOpen →WalkabilityEPA walkability 7 of 20; 4.1% of households have no car; 1.4% of workers walk, bike or ride transitC+Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors0 miles of trails; 2% conserved landC−Open →History1 notable person born hereD−Open →Civic life3.9 library visits per resident; 3.1 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsBOpen →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Rainbow City: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Rainbow City, and how to reach them.
PowerAlabama Power17.9¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterTown of Rainbow City, Wwb of the water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet4 providers98% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Rainbow City’s trash rules yet
Register to voteOnlineIn Alabama you can register online until 15 days before Election Day, in person until 15 days before Election Day, or by mail (received 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereEtowah County Circuit ClerkEtowah County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jul 2021
ZIP code3590635906 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Rainbow City.
Rainbow City fares better on crime within Alabama than nationally, is healthier than towns with similar incomes and trades workers with Gadsden and other neighbors.
HealthC−
Rainbow City earns a C− for health
Against the 7,848 U.S. towns with household incomes like Rainbow City’s, it is less healthy than 58%, so its C− isn’t only a matter of income. Within Alabama it is less healthy than 54% of the 187 graded towns: much of Alabama scores lower on these measures.
45% of adults have high blood pressure in Rainbow City, where Alabama’s towns sit at 43% and U.S. towns at 35%. 41% of adults sleep under 7 hours in Rainbow City. Rainbow City beats the Alabama average on 4 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 1.
24%healthier than U.S. townsC−Health Grade
| Rainbow City | Alabama towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 45% | 43% | 35% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 41% | 40% | 36% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 15% | 15% | 12% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 41% | 39% | 35% |
32 measures vs. Alabama
4 better27 too close to call1 worse
| What stands out | Rainbow City | AL |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer older adults who have lost all their teeth | 11.6% | 15.4% |
| Fewer adults facing a utility shut-off | 8% | 9.6% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 9.9% | 8.2% |
Riverview Regional Medical Center
7 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: primary care
46th
percentile among AL towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
SchoolsB+
Rainbow City earns a B+ for schools
Its public schools are run by the Etowah County school district. One of its 2 schools is below, with why it’s listed.
74%of AL districts it outscoresB+School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| John S Jones Elementary SchoolLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–5 | Grades PK–5 | 745 | A |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within AL on state tests and graduation
Climate
In Rainbow City, expect mild winters and hot summers
Rainbow City has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. At 91°F, Rainbow City’s July high is close to Alabama’s towns (91°F) and above U.S. towns (85°F).
91°summer high
Typical low → high °F
Winter35–56°
Spring50–74°
Summer68–89°
Fall51–75°
Nov 13
typical first frost
Mar 19
typical last frost
+0.9°
vs. the 20th-century average
91°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Work & commuteJobs & income grade C−
About one in three of Rainbow City’s working residents commute to Gadsden
Rainbow City has about as many jobs (3,477) as working residents, but only 341 people both live and work here.
Most working residents leave Rainbow City for work: only 9% work in town. Since 2013, Rainbow City has lost 288 jobs, to 3,477 in 2023. The top destinations are Gadsden (33%), Birmingham (4%) and Attalla (3%).
9%work in town
| Rainbow City | Alabama towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,000 | $62,000 | $80,000 |
| Average trip to work | 27 minutes | 25 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Work from home | 8% | 6.7% | 11% |
Where working residents work
In Rainbow City9%
Gadsden33%
Birmingham4%
Attalla3%
Huntsville3%
10 mi
median commute distance
3,477
jobs based in Rainbow City
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
C+
Walkability grade: more walkable than 43% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
SafetyB
Rainbow City is safer than 62% of U.S. towns, by crime per resident
At 14.1 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, it reports less crime than 88% of Alabama’s graded towns. Reported crimes fell from 151 to 91 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.
Rainbow City’s violent crime rate is 0.8 per 1,000 residents.
62%of U.S. towns report more crimeBSafety Grade
| Rainbow City | Alabama towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 0.8 per 1,000 residents | 2.9 | 1.6 |
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 8 per 1,000 residents | 17 | 9.9 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Rainbow City0.8
Alabama3.5
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Rainbow City8
Alabama15
U.S.15.5
62nd
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
88th
percentile among AL towns
8
violent crimes reported in 2025
83
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Who lives here
An age mix much like Alabama’s
No broad age group is more than 4 points off the Alabama average. 21% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more, vs 28% across Alabama.
41.7median age · AL 39.3
| Rainbow City | Alabama towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 21% | 23% | 29% |
| Median age | 41.7 years | 39.2 years | 40.5 years |
| Aged 65 or older | 19% | 18% | 18% |
Rainbow CityAlabamaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
15%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma17%
High school32%
Some college18%
Associate’s13%
Bachelor’s12%
Graduate9%
Women and men · all residents
55% women, 45% men
About 83 men for every 100 women (the survey’s margin: ±3.6 points). Across Alabama, 51.4% of residents are women.
| Rainbow City | AL | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 9% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 13.5% | 10.4% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 8% | 9.5% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 11.6% | 12.9% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 10.5% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 15.2% | 12.2% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 13.3% | 13% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 10.4% | 10.7% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 8.6% | 7.1% | 7% |
| No diploma | 16.6% | 11.4% | 10.4% |
| High school | 31.8% | 30.3% | 26% |
| Some college | 17.7% | 20.8% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 13.1% | 9.1% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 11.9% | 17.3% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 8.9% | 11.1% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade C
Inland flooding leads a moderate hazard risk in Rainbow City
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 57% of U.S. communities. Since 1982, 19 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Rainbow City.
57risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingTornadoesEarthquakes
19
paid flood claims since 1982
5
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
HousingCost of living grade C
Rainbow City earns a C for cost of living
The typical Rainbow City home is worth about $252,000, up 3.1% in a year, 6% above the Alabama typical home.
$252KZillow home value
| Rainbow City | Alabama towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 66% | 70% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,048 a month | $940 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Rainbow City$252K
Alabama$239K
Market temperature
93
days on market
93.9%
sale-to-list price
+3.1%
value change, 1 year
6
homes sold in May
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
OutdoorsC−
Rainbow City has set aside 2.1% of its land for conservation
Just 344 of its 16,600 acres are conserved, so there is little public open land in Rainbow City itself; its outdoors grade is C−.
0.3 miles of trail in 1 park or preserve.
2.1%conserved
2.1%
conserved · 344 of 16,600 acres
0.3 mi
of trails · 0 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Rainbow City Park | — | 3 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Nearby attractions
All 28 attractions →Cheaha Mountain and 6 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Rainbow City. Close and well known come first.
34 mi MountainCheaha Mountain
9 mi WaterfallNoccalula Falls Park
24 mi MuseumInternational Motorsports Hall of Fame
33 mi National PreserveLittle River Canyon National Preserve782K visitors a year
23 mi National MonumentFreedom Riders National Monument
10 mi GardenJanney Furnace ParkSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Cheaha Mountain: Amann09 (talk · contribs), Public domain · Noccalula Falls Park: Thejammer (talk), Public domain · International Motorsports Hall of Fame: BWard 1997, CC BY 4.0 · Little River Canyon National Preserve: Richard A. Weaver, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Freedom Riders National Monument: Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Janney Furnace Park: dofftoubab, CC BY-SA 3.0
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Rainbow City
20pages on Rainbow City
The big questions
SchoolsB+Beat 74% of AL districts · 2 schoolsSafetyB0.8 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthC−Better than AL on 4 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingC$252K typical home · up 3.1% in a yearWork & commuteC−$56K median household income · 3,477 jobs hereNatural hazardsCFEMA risk higher than 57% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
1 within 15 miles of the center of Rainbow City
About 5 of every 100 Rainbow City residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Alabama.
About Rainbow City
City in Alabama, United States
Rainbow City is a city in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. It incorporated in 1950. As of the 2020 census, Rainbow City had a population of 10,191. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 26 sq mi
- Elevation
- 568 ft
- ZIP code
- 35906
- Area code
- 256
Rainbow City’s neighbors
2 towns share a border with Rainbow City.
GadsdenSteeleRainbow City
How the neighbors grade
| Town | AL rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow City | #94 | C | C | B | B+ | C− |
| Gadsden | #168 | D− | B+ | D | C | D− |
| Steele | — | — | A+ | — | B− | C+ |
Steele has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade. Steele reports no FBI crime data of its own. Compare Rainbow City with a neighbor →
Questions about Rainbow City
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Rainbow City, AL a good place to live?
Rainbow City grades C overall, better than 28% of U.S. towns and #94 of 187 in Alabama. It grades C− for health, B for safety and B+ for schools. Health is its weak spot, with a C−.
Is Rainbow City, AL expensive?
Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C.