Sylvania-Municipal-Complex-al, 2017
Sylvania’s story
133 years in pictures
Census counts: 476 in 1970, 1,790 in 2020. The archive holds 5 old photos and papers going back to 2017 and 4 maps from 1936 on.
- 1893Sylvania is settled
SylvaniaAL
A town of 1,853, settled in 1893.
1 bordering townMap →
Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0
Population
1,853
2025 Census estimate · +3.1% since 2020
Typical home
$200K
+4.7% in a year
Household income
$56K
median
Median age
34.3
years
Jobs based here
280
A commuter town
Is Sylvania a good place to live?
The best of Sylvania’s subject grades is an A for cost of living; the weakest is a D for walkability. On safety, just 14 of Alabama’s 186 towns do better. Sylvania's civic life (library use, community groups, volunteering) trails 98% of U.S. towns. Sylvania has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade.
What makes Sylvania stand out
Where Sylvania beats most towns.
Typical home value
Sylvania$200K
Alabama$239K
Cost of livingA
3.9 years of income buys a home
More affordable than 90% of U.S. towns
Zillow Home Value Index; area median household income, Census ACS.
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Sylvania1.1
Alabama3.5
U.S.3.3
SafetyB+
69% less violent crime than AL
FBI data, 2025. Crimes reported to police.
A commuter town
99% of working residents leave Sylvania for work
Where Sylvania’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
280jobs based in Sylvania
1%of working residents work in town
12 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
How Sylvania grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Alabama), ordered by how far Sylvania is from typical.
WalkabilityEPA walkability 3.9 of 20; 4.3% of households have no car; 0.6% of workers walk, bike or ride transitDOpen →Cost of livingAOpen →Jobs & income$56K median household incomeC−Open →SafetyB+Open →HealthLess healthy than 62% of U.S. towns; Dekalb Regional Medical Center 8.9 miles awayC+Open →SchoolsBOpen →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 49% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors0 miles of trails; 1% conserved landC−Open →HistoryC−Open →Civic life1.4 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsD−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
ClimateCold winters, 87° summer afternoons, 5″ of snow–Open →Housing market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 34.3–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Sylvania: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Sylvania, and how to reach them.
PowerSand Mountain Electric Coop13.6¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterNortheast Alabama Water Sewer and FpdNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet5 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Sylvania’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 hereDeKalb County Circuit ClerkDeKalb County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jul 2019
ZIP codes35988, 35986, 35978, 3596835988 74% · 35986 14% · 35978 6% · 35968 6%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 Sylvania.
Work & commuteJobs & income grade C−
Most of Sylvania’s workers commute out: the town has 0.4 jobs for each of them
Most working residents leave Sylvania for work: only 1% work in town. Since 2013, Sylvania has lost 73 jobs, to 280 in 2023. At 28 minutes, Sylvania’s average trip to work is against 25 minutes in Alabama’s towns and 25 minutes across U.S. towns.
1%work in town
| Sylvania | Alabama towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working residents who work in town | 1.1% | 10% | 8% |
| Average trip to work | 28 minutes | 25 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Median household income | $56,000 | $62,000 | $80,000 |
| Below the poverty line | 11% | 16% | 9.6% |
Where working residents work
In Sylvania1%
Fort Payne25%
Rainsville15%
Huntsville6%
Scottsboro5%
12 mi
median commute distance
280
jobs based in Sylvania
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
D
Walkability grade: more walkable than 8% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
SchoolsB
Sylvania’s public schools outperform 59% of Alabama districts
Its public schools are run by the DeKalb County school district. Its one school is below. The largest public high school is Sylvania School, with 915 students.
59%of AL districts it outscoresBSchool Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sylvania SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades PK–12 | Grades PK–12 | 915 | B |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within AL on state tests and graduation
SafetyB+
Crime per resident in Sylvania is lower than in 74% of U.S. towns
At 7.7 per 1,000 residents, Sylvania’s property crime rate is where Alabama’s towns sit at 16.9 and U.S. towns at 9.9. Sylvania’s violent crime rate is 1.1 per 1,000 residents.
74%of U.S. towns report more crimeB+Safety Grade
| Sylvania | Alabama towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 7.7 per 1,000 residents | 16.9 | 9.9 |
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 1.1 per 1,000 residents | 2.9 | 1.6 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Sylvania1.1
Alabama3.5
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Sylvania7.7
Alabama15
U.S.15.5
74th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
2
violent crimes reported in 2025
14
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Climate
Four seasons and pleasant summers in Sylvania
Sylvania has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. Among 188 Alabama towns, just 1 have a lower July high than Sylvania.
5″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter33–52°
Spring48–70°
Summer65–86°
Fall49–71°
Oct 29
typical first frost
Apr 8
typical last frost
+0.4°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
HealthC+
Sylvania stands out in Alabama and nationally: a larger share of its adults have been diagnosed with depression
27% of adults have been diagnosed with depression in Sylvania. Sylvania beats the Alabama average on 5 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 2. 39% of adults have high blood pressure in Sylvania.
38%healthier than U.S. townsC+Health Grade
| Sylvania | Alabama towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 27% | 24% | 23% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 39% | 43% | 35% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 77% | 80% | 79% |
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 19% | 18% | 17% |
32 measures vs. Alabama
5 better25 too close to call2 worse
| What stands out | Sylvania | AL |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing a utility shut-off | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Fewer adults with diabetes | 12.1% | 14.8% |
| Fewer adults treating high blood pressure | 74.5% | 78% |
Dekalb Regional Medical Center
8.9 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: primary care
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
HousingCost of living grade A
The typical home in Sylvania is valued at about $200K
The typical Sylvania home is worth about $200,000, up 4.7% in a year, 16% below the Alabama typical home. The median rent in Sylvania is $692 a month.
$200KZillow home value
| Sylvania | Alabama towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $692 a month | $940 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 67% | 69% | 73% |
Typical home value
Sylvania$200K
Alabama$239K
+4.7%
value change, 1 year
2
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Who lives here
Younger than Alabama overall
People 65 and older are 13% of residents (18% statewide); children under 18 are 27% of residents (22% statewide). Sylvania has grown 3.1% since 2020, to 1,853 residents in the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate. 22% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more, vs 28% across Alabama.
34.3median age · AL 39.3
| Sylvania | Alabama towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 27% | 23% | 22% |
| Median age | 34.3 years | 39.2 years | 40.5 years |
| Aged 65 or older | 13% | 18% | 18% |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 22% | 23% | 29% |
SylvaniaAlabamaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
18%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma16%
High school33%
Some college16%
Associate’s14%
Bachelor’s17%
Graduate5%
Women and men · all residents
59% women, 41% men
About 71 men for every 100 women (the survey’s margin: ±8.4 points). Across Alabama, 51.4% of residents are women.
| Sylvania | AL | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 14.3% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 12.6% | 10.4% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 7.1% | 9.5% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 18% | 12.9% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 15.5% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 11% | 12.2% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 8.7% | 13% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 7.8% | 10.7% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 4.9% | 7.1% | 7% |
| No diploma | 15.8% | 11.4% | 10.4% |
| High school | 32.5% | 30.3% | 26% |
| Some college | 15.5% | 20.8% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 13.8% | 9.1% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 17.3% | 17.3% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 5% | 11.1% | 14.1% |
Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates · in a town of 1,900, single groups can be off by several points
1.3%conserved
| Sylvania | Alabama towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles of trail per square mile | 0.1 miles per square mile | 0.1 | 0.4 |
| Conserved land | 1.3% | 1.2% | 4.3% |
1.3%
conserved · 72 of 5,497 acres
0.4 mi
of trails · 0 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sylvania Town Park | — | 15 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade B−
Sylvania faces a moderate natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding
Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 51% of U.S. communities.
49risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingTornadoesCold waves
7
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Sylvania
19pages on Sylvania
The big questions
SchoolsBBeat 59% of AL districts · 1 schoolSafetyB+1.1 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthC+Better than AL on 5 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingA$200K typical home · up 4.7% in a yearWork & commuteC−$56K median household income · 280 jobs hereNatural hazardsB−FEMA risk higher than 49% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
1 within 15 miles of the center of Sylvania
About 7 of every 100 Sylvania residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Alabama.
About Sylvania
Town in Alabama, United States
Sylvania is a town in DeKalb County, Alabama, United States. Established in 1836 and incorporated in October 1967, As of the 2020 census, Sylvania had a population of 1,790. Sylvania is located atop Sand Mountain. The first post office was built in 1977.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 8.8 sq mi
- Elevation
- 1,388 ft
- ZIP code
- 35988
- Area code
- 256
Sylvania’s neighbors
One town shares a border with Sylvania.
RainsvilleSylvania
How the neighbors grade
| Town | AL rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sylvania | — | — | A | B+ | B | C+ |
| Rainsville | #29 | A− | A− | A | B | C+ |
Sylvania has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade. Compare Sylvania with a neighbor →
Questions about Sylvania
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Sylvania, 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.