Red bay city hall fire, 2006
Red Bay’s story
138 years in pictures
Census counts: 472 in 1910, 3,232 in 2020. The archive holds 7 old photos and papers going back to 2006 and a map from 1981 on.
- 1888Red Bay is settled
Red BayAL
A town of 3,196, settled in 1888.
Photo: Brian Stansberry (photographer) · CC BY 4.0
Population
3,196
2025 Census estimate · −1.3% since 2020
Typical home
$157K
−0.4% in a year
Household income
$37K
median
Median age
46.8
years
Jobs based here
2,786
A job hub
TownGrade
C
#93 of 187 in AL
Is Red Bay a good place to live?
Red Bay gives you more for your money than most places: a typical home costs about $157K, 2.9 years of the Russellville area’s $53K median household income. It grades C overall, 93rd of 187 graded towns in Alabama. The low prices come with trade-offs. The median household income is $37K, and 20% of residents live below the poverty line, and CDC estimates put its residents' health behind 80% of the country. 38% of working residents work locally in Red Bay, against 9.8% in Alabama’s towns and 8% across U.S. towns. Most errands need a car: it is less walkable than 86% of U.S. towns. Red Bay's civic life (library use, community groups, volunteering) trails 95% of U.S. towns.
What makes Red Bay stand out
Where Red Bay beats most towns.
Typical home value
Red Bay$157K
Alabama$239K
Cost of livingA+
More affordable than 97% of U.S. towns
Zillow Home Value Index; area median household income, Census ACS.
Jobs vs. working residents
Jobs here2,786
Residents who work1,400
Work
2 jobs for every working resident
A regional job hub: more jobs per worker than 93% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023.
A job hub
Every workday, about 2,257 people come to Red Bay for work
Where Red Bay’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
2,786jobs based in Red Bay
38%of working residents work in town
19 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
How Red Bay grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Alabama), ordered by how far Red Bay is from typical.
Its grades run from A+ for cost of living (better than 97% of comparable towns) to D for walkability (better than 14%), so the C overall blends very different results.
Cost of livingA+Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 6 of 20; 8.8% of households have no car; 0% of workers walk, bike or ride transitDOpen →Jobs & incomeC−Open →HealthRed Bay Hospital 1.6 miles awayC−Open →SafetyC+Open →Hazard risktornadoes tops the listB−Open →SchoolsB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors1 mile of trailDOpen →History3 notable people born hereCOpen →Civic life1.3 library visits per resident; 2.8 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsDOpen →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
Climate–Open →Housing market$157K typical home, down 0.4% in a year–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 46.8–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Red Bay: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Red Bay, and how to reach them.
PowerFranklin Electric Coop14.6¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterRed Bay, the Water Works & Gas BdNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet4 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Red Bay’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 hereFranklin County Circuit ClerkFranklin County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jul 2021
ZIP code3558235582 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 Red Bay.
Red Bay draws workers from Belmont and beyond, is healthier than towns with similar incomes and has a longer frost-free season than most of the country, though not than most of Alabama.
Work & commuteJobs & income grade C−
About one in three working residents works right in Red Bay
2,786 jobs are based in Red Bay, 2 for every working resident, so most of the people who work here commute in.
About one in 3 of Red Bay’s working residents works in town. The average trip to work in Red Bay is 20 minutes. Jobs based in Red Bay grew to 2,786 in 2023, 484 more than in 2013.
38%work in town
| Red Bay | Alabama towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $37,000 | $62,000 | $80,000 |
| Average trip to work | 20 minutes | 25 minutes | 25 minutes |
Where working residents work
In Red Bay38%
Russellville7%
Belmont4%
Tupelo4%
Sheffield2%
19 mi
median commute distance
2,786
jobs based in Red Bay
A job hub
jobs vs. working residents
D
Walkability grade: more walkable than 14% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
SchoolsB−
Red Bay’s public schools outperform 50% of Alabama districts
Its public schools are run by the Franklin County school district. Its two schools are below. The largest public high school is Red Bay High School, with 322 students.
50%of AL districts it outscoresB−School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Bay ElementaryLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–6 | Grades PK–6 | 410 | B |
| Red Bay High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 7–12 | Grades 7–12 | 322 | C+ |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within AL on state tests and graduation
HealthC−
Red Bay’s grade for health is a C−
Against the 1,729 U.S. towns with household incomes like Red Bay’s, it is healthier than 76%, so its C− isn’t only a matter of income.
45% of Red Bay adults have high blood pressure. Red Bay beats the Alabama average on 2 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 5. 16% of Red Bay adults report frequent physical distress.
20%healthier than U.S. townsC−Health Grade
| Red Bay | Alabama towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 45% | 43% | 35% |
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 16% | 15% | 14% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 14% | 14% | 16% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 15% | 15% | 12% |
32 measures vs. Alabama
2 better25 too close to call5 worse
| What stands out | Red Bay | AL |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing a utility shut-off | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Fewer adults facing housing insecurity | 11.5% | 13.9% |
| More older adults who have lost all their teeth | 20.3% | 15.4% |
Red Bay Hospital
1.6 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
38th
percentile among AL towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
HousingCost of living grade A+
In Red Bay, the median rent runs lower than in the typical Alabama or U.S. town
The typical value, about $157K, is 8% below its February 2025 peak. The median property tax bill is $345, against $788 across Alabama, another input to its cost-of-living grade.
Red Bay’s median rent is $542 a month. The typical Red Bay home is worth about $157,000, about the same as a year ago, 34% below the Alabama typical home. 58% of households own their home in Red Bay.
$157KZillow home value
| Red Bay | Alabama towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $542 a month | $943 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 58% | 70% | 73% |
Typical home value
Red Bay$157K
Alabama$239K
−0.4%
value change, 1 year
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Climate
Red Bay has mild winters and hot summers
The Fulton 3 W weather station, 22 miles away, records that the frost-free season runs about 212 days: longer than most of the country, but shorter than 83% of Alabama places with climate records. The Fulton 3 W weather station, 22 miles away, records that about 56 days a year reach 90°: more than most of the country, but fewer than 78% of Alabama places with climate records.
Red Bay has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. July afternoons reach 90°, January nights drop to 31° and about 2 inches of snow falls in a winter.
2″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter33–54°
Spring49–73°
Summer67–89°
Fall50–74°
Oct 31
typical first frost
Apr 1
typical last frost
+0.5°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
SafetyC+
Red Bay reports more crime per resident than 63% of U.S. towns
Reported crimes fell from 83 to 45 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.
Within Alabama, it does better than 69% of towns.
37%of U.S. towns report more crimeC+Safety Grade
| Red Bay | Alabama towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 12.7 per 1,000 residents | 17 | 9.9 |
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 1.6 per 1,000 residents | 2.9 | 1.6 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Red Bay1.6
Alabama3.5
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Red Bay12.7
Alabama15
U.S.15.5
37th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
69th
percentile among AL towns
5
violent crimes reported in 2025
40
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Who lives here
More middle-aged adults than Alabama overall
The median household earns $37,473, against $63,999 across Alabama, one input to its C− for jobs and income.
Adults 35 to 64 are 44% of residents (38% statewide); children under 18 are 18% of residents (22% statewide). 21% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more, vs 28% across Alabama.
46.8median age · AL 39.3
| Red Bay | Alabama towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.8 years | 39.2 years | 40.5 years |
| Under 18 | 18% | 23% | 22% |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 21% | 23% | 29% |
Red BayAlabamaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
22%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma15%
High school34%
Some college20%
Associate’s10%
Bachelor’s14%
Graduate7%
Women and men · all residents
54% women, 46% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±5.9 points. Across Alabama, 51.4% of residents are women.
| Red Bay | AL | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 10.9% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 7.2% | 10.4% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 6.7% | 9.5% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 11.7% | 12.9% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 10% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 21.9% | 12.2% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 11.7% | 13% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 10.2% | 10.7% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 9.7% | 7.1% | 7% |
| No diploma | 15% | 11.4% | 10.4% |
| High school | 34.1% | 30.3% | 26% |
| Some college | 19.9% | 20.8% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 9.8% | 9.1% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 14.1% | 17.3% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 7.1% | 11.1% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates · in a town of 3,200, single groups can be off by several points
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade B−
Moderate risk in Red Bay, with tornadoes at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 51% of U.S. communities.
51risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
TornadoesInland floodingCold waves
5
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
OutdoorsD
Red Bay has set aside 0% of its land for conservation
Just 0 of its 6,265 acres are conserved, so there is little public open land in Red Bay itself; its outdoors grade is D.
0.9 miles of trail in 1 park or preserve.
0%conserved
0%
conserved · 0 of 6,265 acres
0.9 mi
of trails · 0.1 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Red Bay Dixie Youth Baseball Complex | — | 15 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Red Bay
20pages on Red Bay
The big questions
SchoolsB−Beat 50% of AL districts · 2 schoolsSafetyC+1.6 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthC−Better than AL on 2 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingA+$157K typical home · down 0.4% in a yearWork & commuteC−$37K median household income · 2,786 jobs hereNatural hazardsB−FEMA risk higher than 51% of U.S. communities · tornadoes
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Red Bay; the nearest are
Itawamba Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Fulton, MS19.2 mi$3,420 in-state tuitionUniversity of North AlabamaUniversity or college · Public · Florence36.5 mi$12,120 in-state tuition
About 4 of every 100 Red Bay residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Alabama.
Famous people from Red Bay
3 notable people were born in Red Bay.
About Red Bay
City in Alabama, United States
Red Bay is a city in Franklin County, Alabama, United States. It was founded in 1907; its western boundary line is integral with the state line between Mississippi and Alabama. The population was 3,232 at the 2020 census. The town's name comes from the area's red clay soil and the many redbay trees (Persea borbonia) in this area of north Alabama.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1907
- Area
- 9.8 sq mi
- Elevation
- 643 ft
- ZIP code
- 35582
- Area code
- 256
Questions about Red Bay
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Red Bay, AL a good place to live?
Red Bay grades C overall, better than 29% of U.S. towns and #93 of 187 in Alabama. It grades C− for health, C+ for safety and B− for schools. Walkability is its weak spot, with a D.
Is Red Bay, AL safe?
Within Alabama, it does better than 69% of towns.
Is Red Bay, AL expensive?
Not for the area. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades A+.
What is Red Bay, AL known for?
3 notable people were born here, including Mac McAnally and Eric Powell.