Eagle Point
unincorporated, Shelby County · 3,110 peopleStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: walkability C−
BCost–SafetyA−SchoolsAHealthA+JobsC−WalkCHazards
Alabama rankings · 2026
Best small towns in Alabama
Eagle Point ranks first of Alabama’s 117 graded small towns (2,500–9,999 residents), with an A+: jobs & income (A+) and health (A) are its strongest grades; walkability (C−) is its lowest. 19 of the 117 (16%) grade A− or better nationally, against 25% of U.S. towns.
The overall grade, sorted: cost of living, safety, schools, health, jobs & income, walkability and hazard risk, from Census, FBI, state, CDC, EPA and FEMA data. How grades work
A+
#2Argo
St. Clair County · 4,376 peopleStrongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A·lowest: walkability D
ACostA−SafetyB−SchoolsB+HealthA+JobsDWalkC+Hazards
#4Priceville
Morgan County · 3,952 peopleStrongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A·lowest: walkability C−
ACostB+SafetyBSchoolsA−HealthA+JobsC−WalkCHazards
Where they are: Four of the top 10 are in Shelby County.
All 117 small towns
Overall score, highest first. The score (0–100) blends the seven livability grades and sets the order; the letter places that score among every U.S. town of 2,500+, and A+ is the top 5%, so neighbors on the list often share a letter. Each town links to its page, where the grade sheet shows every subject. The rank is the town’s place among all 187 Alabama towns.
117 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownScoreGradeWhat drives it
1Eagle Pointunincorporated, Shelby County · 3,110 people71.8top 4.2%A+Strongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: walkability C−
2ArgoSt. Clair County · 4,376 people71.0top 5.3%AStrongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A·lowest: walkability D
4PricevilleMorgan County · 3,952 people69.9top 6.9%AStrongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A·lowest: walkability C−
5Hazel Greenunincorporated, Madison County · 3,940 people69.2top 8.0%AStrongest: cost of living A+, schools A−·lowest: walkability C−
7Indian Springs VillageShelby County · 2,553 people68.5top 9.4%AStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: cost of living C
8Harvestunincorporated, Madison County · 5,955 people68.1top 9.9%AStrongest: schools A−, cost of living A−·lowest: walkability C−
9Meadowbrookunincorporated, Shelby County · 9,117 people68.1top 10.0%AStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: walkability C−
11TrianaMadison County · 5,244 people67.7top 10.7%AStrongest: schools A−, health A−·lowest: walkability D−
14Emerald Mountainunincorporated, Elmore County · 3,535 people66.4top 13.6%AStrongest: jobs & income A, health A−·lowest: hazard risk C+
16Brook Highlandunincorporated, Shelby County · 8,146 people65.0top 16.7%A−Strongest: health A, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living C−
17Redlandunincorporated, Elmore County · 4,982 people64.3top 18.3%A−Strongest: jobs & income A, health A−·lowest: walkability D
18Highland Lakesunincorporated, Shelby County · 5,866 people64.2top 18.5%A−Strongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: walkability D
20MontevalloShelby County · 7,872 people63.8top 19.5%A−Strongest: cost of living A−, schools A−·lowest: jobs & income C−
23Hokes BluffEtowah County · 4,706 people63.3top 20.8%A−Strongest: cost of living A, safety A−·lowest: walkability D
24Underwood-Petersvilleunincorporated, Lauderdale County · 3,100 people63.0top 21.3%A−Strongest: cost of living A, schools B+·lowest: hazard risk C+
25SouthsideEtowah County · 9,718 people63.0top 21.4%A−Strongest: safety A, schools B+·lowest: walkability C−
27Good HopeCullman County · 2,682 people62.6top 22.4%A−Strongest: cost of living A, schools A−·lowest: walkability C−
29RainsvilleDeKalb County · 6,020 people62.0top 23.8%A−Strongest: safety A, cost of living A−·lowest: walkability C−
31New HopeMadison County · 3,054 people61.7top 25.0%A−Strongest: cost of living A+, schools A−·lowest: hazard risk D
32KimberlyJefferson County · 4,858 people61.3top 26.1%B+Strongest: jobs & income A, safety A·lowest: walkability D
34Owens Cross RoadsMadison County · 3,334 people61.0top 26.8%B+Strongest: cost of living A+, schools A−·lowest: walkability D
35TrinityMorgan County · 2,638 people60.9top 27.2%B+Strongest: jobs & income A, cost of living A·lowest: walkability D
38Moores Millunincorporated, Madison County · 6,378 people59.3top 31.3%B+Strongest: schools A−, cost of living A−·lowest: walkability D
39TuscumbiaColbert County · 9,332 people59.0top 31.9%B+Strongest: safety A−, walkability A−·lowest: hazard risk C−
42Stapletonunincorporated, Baldwin County · 3,009 people58.4top 33.6%B+Strongest: cost of living A+, jobs & income A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
43MargaretSt. Clair County · 7,149 people58.1top 34.5%B+Strongest: jobs & income A, cost of living B+·lowest: walkability D
44SatsumaMobile County · 6,851 people57.7top 35.5%BStrongest: schools A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
45Pine Levelunincorporated, Autauga County · 4,170 people57.5top 36.1%BStrongest: cost of living A, jobs & income B+·lowest: walkability D−
46ColumbianaShelby County · 5,106 people57.2top 36.8%BStrongest: schools A−, cost of living B+·lowest: hazard risk C+
47Mount Oliveunincorporated, Jefferson County · 3,567 people56.6top 38.4%BStrongest: cost of living A, jobs & income B+·lowest: walkability D
48HeadlandHenry County · 5,603 people56.5top 38.5%BStrongest: cost of living A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: walkability C−
50Lake ViewTuscaloosa County · 3,969 people56.0top 40.2%BStrongest: jobs & income A−, health B·lowest: hazard risk C
51SpringvilleSt. Clair County · 5,597 people55.6top 41.1%BStrongest: jobs & income A−, cost of living B+·lowest: walkability D
52HartfordGeneva County · 2,801 people55.5top 41.4%BStrongest: cost of living A, schools A−·lowest: jobs & income C−
53Orange BeachBaldwin County · 8,798 people54.5top 43.9%BStrongest: schools A, health A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
54Choccoloccounincorporated, Calhoun County · 2,620 people54.2top 44.8%BStrongest: cost of living B+, jobs & income B·lowest: walkability D−
55Alexandriaunincorporated, Calhoun County · 3,475 people54.0top 45.2%B−Strongest: cost of living B+, jobs & income B·lowest: walkability D
56GlencoeEtowah County · 5,426 people53.8top 45.9%B−Strongest: schools B+, cost of living B+·lowest: health C−
60Remlapunincorporated, Blount County · 2,761 people51.4bottom 47.4%B−Strongest: cost of living A+, schools B+·lowest: walkability D
62HancevilleCullman County · 3,390 people50.9bottom 46.2%B−Strongest: schools A−, cost of living B+·lowest: health D
65OneontaBlount County · 7,022 people50.8bottom 45.7%B−Strongest: schools A, cost of living A−·lowest: safety C−
68Bon Secourunincorporated, Baldwin County · 2,789 people49.8bottom 43.1%C+Strongest: cost of living A, schools B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
69ArabMarshall County · 9,061 people49.7bottom 42.7%C+Strongest: schools A, cost of living A−·lowest: safety D
70Smiths StationLee County · 5,596 people49.4bottom 42.1%C+Strongest: cost of living B+, hazard risk B·lowest: health C
71GenevaGeneva County · 4,307 people49.1bottom 41.1%C+Strongest: cost of living A+, schools A·lowest: health D−
76RobertsdaleBaldwin County · 7,761 people47.2bottom 35.7%C+Strongest: cost of living A−, schools B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
77Cottondaleunincorporated, Tuscaloosa County · 2,632 people47.0bottom 35.3%C+Strongest: cost of living A, hazard risk B−·lowest: health C−
80OdenvilleSt. Clair County · 6,023 people46.8bottom 34.8%CStrongest: schools B−, cost of living B−·lowest: walkability D
83WinfieldMarion County · 4,842 people46.2bottom 33.5%CStrongest: schools A, cost of living A−·lowest: health D
85MoundvilleHale County · 3,628 people46.1bottom 33.2%CStrongest: cost of living B+, jobs & income B−·lowest: hazard risk C−
86Ladoniaunincorporated, Russell County · 3,346 people46.1bottom 33.1%CStrongest: cost of living A−, hazard risk B+·lowest: health D
88Grand Bayunincorporated, Mobile County · 3,553 people45.7bottom 32.1%CStrongest: cost of living A−, jobs & income B−·lowest: hazard risk D−
89SilverhillBaldwin County · 2,529 people45.6bottom 31.8%CStrongest: schools B+, cost of living B·lowest: hazard risk D−
90HamiltonMarion County · 6,769 people45.4bottom 31.1%CStrongest: cost of living A, schools B·lowest: walkability C−
91SumitonWalker County · 2,511 people44.9bottom 30.1%CStrongest: cost of living A+, walkability B+·lowest: safety D
93Red BayFranklin County · 3,196 people44.7bottom 29.4%CStrongest: cost of living A+, hazard risk B−·lowest: walkability D
95FultondaleJefferson County · 9,307 people43.9bottom 27.6%CStrongest: cost of living B+, jobs & income B·lowest: walkability C−
97WarriorJefferson County · 3,320 people43.7bottom 27.1%CStrongest: cost of living A, walkability B·lowest: health C−
98HaleyvilleWinston County · 4,303 people43.2bottom 25.9%CStrongest: cost of living A, schools A−·lowest: health D
99WeaverCalhoun County · 3,289 people43.1bottom 25.8%CStrongest: cost of living B+, schools B·lowest: walkability D−
100West End-Cobb Townunincorporated, Calhoun County · 3,453 people43.1bottom 25.7%CStrongest: cost of living A, schools B·lowest: health D−
101Huguleyunincorporated, Chambers County · 2,577 people42.9bottom 25.2%CStrongest: cost of living A, hazard risk B−·lowest: walkability D−
102LoxleyBaldwin County · 6,131 people42.7bottom 24.7%C−Strongest: jobs & income A−, schools B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
104Holtvilleunincorporated, Elmore County · 5,158 people42.4bottom 24.2%C−Strongest: cost of living B+, schools B−·lowest: walkability D
107HeflinCleburne County · 3,572 people41.5bottom 22.3%C−Strongest: cost of living B+, safety B·lowest: jobs & income D
108GuntersvilleMarshall County · 9,394 people41.4bottom 22.1%C−Strongest: schools A−, cost of living B·lowest: safety C−
109MoultonLawrence County · 3,436 people41.4bottom 22.0%C−Strongest: cost of living A, schools C+·lowest: health D
111Pleasant GroveJefferson County · 9,346 people41.0bottom 21.0%C−Strongest: jobs & income B, safety B−·lowest: walkability C−
112CitronelleMobile County · 3,897 people40.9bottom 21.0%C−Strongest: cost of living A−, safety B+·lowest: jobs & income D−
113Grayson Valleyunincorporated, Jefferson County · 6,077 people40.9bottom 20.9%C−Strongest: hazard risk B, cost of living B−·lowest: walkability C−
115PiedmontCalhoun County · 4,696 people40.4bottom 19.9%C−Strongest: schools A, cost of living B+·lowest: safety D
118WetumpkaElmore County · 7,535 people39.7bottom 18.5%C−Strongest: cost of living B, schools B−·lowest: walkability C−
119FairfieldJefferson County · 9,483 people39.2bottom 17.6%C−Strongest: walkability A−, cost of living B+·lowest: health D
120Holtunincorporated, Tuscaloosa County · 3,629 people39.2bottom 17.6%C−Strongest: cost of living A−, hazard risk B·lowest: health D−
121Bay MinetteBaldwin County · 8,555 people39.1bottom 17.2%C−Strongest: cost of living A, schools B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
122AdamsvilleJefferson County · 4,178 people39.1bottom 17.2%C−Strongest: cost of living B+, jobs & income B·lowest: safety D
123TallasseeElmore County · 4,738 people39.0bottom 17.1%C−Strongest: cost of living A, hazard risk B−·lowest: safety D−
124OppCovington County · 6,738 people38.9bottom 16.9%C−Strongest: cost of living A−, schools B+·lowest: health D
125Forestdaleunincorporated, Jefferson County · 9,742 people38.7bottom 16.5%C−Strongest: cost of living B, hazard risk C+·lowest: health C−
126RoanokeRandolph County · 5,440 people38.7bottom 16.3%C−Strongest: cost of living A, schools B·lowest: safety D
128JemisonChilton County · 3,030 people38.3bottom 15.6%C−Strongest: cost of living A−, hazard risk C+·lowest: health D
129CentreCherokee County · 3,912 people38.2bottom 15.4%C−Strongest: cost of living A−, schools B·lowest: jobs & income D
130FayetteFayette County · 4,060 people37.9bottom 15.0%C−Strongest: cost of living A−, schools B−·lowest: jobs & income D−
131LincolnTalladega County · 8,110 people37.9bottom 15.0%C−Strongest: cost of living B+, schools B·lowest: walkability D
133TarrantJefferson County · 5,639 people37.3bottom 14.1%DStrongest: walkability A, cost of living A−·lowest: schools D−
135BrewtonEscambia County · 5,113 people36.7bottom 13.1%DStrongest: schools A−, cost of living B·lowest: safety D−
136TuskegeeMacon County · 8,644 people36.7bottom 13.1%DStrongest: cost of living A+, hazard risk A−·lowest: jobs & income D
137ChildersburgTalladega County · 4,571 people36.7bottom 13.0%DStrongest: cost of living B+, schools B·lowest: health D−
138ClantonChilton County · 9,289 people36.6bottom 13.0%DStrongest: cost of living A−, walkability B+·lowest: safety D
140DadevilleTallapoosa County · 2,920 people36.5bottom 12.7%DStrongest: cost of living B+, walkability B·lowest: health D
141AttallaEtowah County · 5,807 people36.4bottom 12.6%DStrongest: cost of living A, schools C+·lowest: safety D−
142CentrevilleBibb County · 2,709 people36.1bottom 12.1%DStrongest: cost of living A, schools C+·lowest: jobs & income D
144MidfieldJefferson County · 4,906 people35.3bottom 10.9%DStrongest: walkability A−, cost of living B·lowest: schools D
145EutawGreene County · 2,640 people35.2bottom 10.8%DStrongest: cost of living A, walkability B−·lowest: health D−
146PinsonJefferson County · 7,830 people34.6bottom 10.2%DStrongest: jobs & income B−, cost of living B−·lowest: walkability D
147AndalusiaCovington County · 8,763 people34.6bottom 10.1%DStrongest: schools A−, cost of living B+·lowest: jobs & income D
150LuverneCrenshaw County · 2,690 people33.6bottom 8.9%DStrongest: cost of living B, schools C+·lowest: jobs & income D−
151SheffieldColbert County · 9,416 people33.1bottom 8.3%DStrongest: cost of living A−, walkability B−·lowest: health D
155La FayetteChambers County · 2,621 people32.0bottom 6.9%DStrongest: cost of living A−, hazard risk B+·lowest: jobs & income D−
156BrentBibb County · 4,414 people31.8bottom 6.7%DStrongest: cost of living A−, walkability B−·lowest: health D−
157Theodoreunincorporated, Mobile County · 4,964 people31.8bottom 6.6%DStrongest: cost of living B−, jobs & income B−·lowest: hazard risk D
158DalevilleDale County · 4,971 people31.0bottom 5.9%DStrongest: cost of living B+, hazard risk B−·lowest: health D
162MonroevilleMonroe County · 5,758 people29.6bottom 4.4%D−Strongest: cost of living B, walkability C+·lowest: jobs & income D−
163ThomasvilleClarke County · 3,545 people29.4bottom 4.2%D−Strongest: schools B−, cost of living B−·lowest: health D
165DemopolisMarengo County · 6,641 people28.9bottom 3.9%D−Strongest: schools B, walkability C+·lowest: safety D−
166ElbaCoffee County · 3,408 people28.5bottom 3.7%D−Strongest: cost of living A+, schools C−·lowest: jobs & income D−
170LanettChambers County · 6,781 people27.6bottom 3.0%D−Strongest: cost of living B+, walkability B+·lowest: schools D−
174JacksonClarke County · 4,452 people27.1bottom 2.7%D−Strongest: cost of living B+, walkability C+·lowest: jobs & income D−
175MarionPerry County · 2,602 people27.0bottom 2.6%D−Strongest: walkability A−, cost of living B−·lowest: jobs & income D−
176EvergreenConecuh County · 3,272 people27.0bottom 2.6%D−Strongest: cost of living B+, schools C·lowest: jobs & income D−
178SemmesMobile County · 6,259 people26.2bottom 2.2%D−Strongest: health C+, cost of living C+·lowest: safety D−
179Valley GrandeDallas County · 3,903 people26.0bottom 2.0%D−Strongest: cost of living B, hazard risk C·lowest: health D−
180ChickasawMobile County · 6,166 people25.4bottom 1.8%D−Strongest: cost of living B, walkability B−·lowest: schools D−
182LivingstonSumter County · 3,242 people24.3bottom 1.3%D−Strongest: walkability B+, cost of living C·lowest: jobs & income D−
184GreenvilleButler County · 6,912 people20.9bottom 0.6%D−Strongest: cost of living B, hazard risk C·lowest: jobs & income D−
186AtmoreEscambia County · 8,360 people19.0bottom 0.3%D−Strongest: cost of living B−, schools C·lowest: jobs & income D−
187Union SpringsBullock County · 3,091 people17.5bottom 0.2%D−Strongest: cost of living B−, hazard risk C+·lowest: health D−
Method
How this list is made
Each town’s overall grade blends seven livability grades: cost of living (weight 18), safety (18), schools (16), health (14), jobs & income (12), walkability (8) and hazard risk (4). A town needs 2,500+ residents and three of the first four. Letters are national, so an A here means the same as an A in any state; the list is the same towns in the same order, ranked within Alabama. Towns without their own FBI figures are graded on the rest and their page says why.
Data years: crime 2023–2025 (FBI), Census ACS 2020–2024, CDC PLACES 2025, state school tests. How grades work
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the best small town in Alabama?
Among 117 graded towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents, Eagle Point (Shelby County) ranks first, with an A+; jobs & income (A+) and health (A) are its strongest grades; walkability (C−) is its lowest. Argo and Priceville follow.
How are these towns ranked?
By the overall grade, which blends seven livability grades from public data. The letter is national; the rank is within Alabama. The full method is on How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents with an overall grade (117 in Alabama). 121 smaller places have subject grades only; Larger towns are on the best places to live list. Every town is on the Alabama page.
Go deeper
All Alabama rankings →More Alabama lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live187 towns · #1 Eagle PointMost affordable towns187 towns · #1 TuskegeeSafest towns130 towns · #1 SouthsideTowns with the best schools187 towns · #1 Vestavia HillsHealthiest towns187 towns · #1 Mountain BrookBest towns for jobs & income187 towns · #1 Mountain BrookMost walkable towns187 towns · #1 TarrantTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk187 towns · #1 OpelikaBest towns for the outdoors187 towns · #1 ChickasawMost historic towns187 towns · #1 ValleyTowns with the most civic life156 towns · #1 Mountain BrookTowns with the least snow52 towns · #1 ChildersburgDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns52 towns · #1 Fort PayneDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters192 towns · #1 Gulf ShoresDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers192 towns · #1 PrattvilleDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers192 towns · #1 HenagarDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes186 towns · #1 Mountain BrookDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes186 towns · #1 HoltDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns154 towns · #1 TrianaDescribed, no lettersTowns with the most-used libraries71 towns · #1 Orange BeachDescribed, no letters
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