The best of Vance’s subject grades is an A for incomes; the weakest is a D− for walkability. Vance's civic life (library use, community groups, volunteering) trails 98% of U.S. towns. The biggest park or preserve is Vance Park, at 30 acres. Vance has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade.

StrongestAJobs & incomeWeakestD⁻Walkability

What makes Vance stand out

Where Vance beats most towns.

Natural hazardsB⁺

Low risk of storm and flood damage

FEMA National Risk Index.

A history going back 196 years.

A growing town

Vance has grown 52% since 2010

1,529 counted in 2010 and 2,092 in 2020; an estimated 2,332 in 2025.

1,5292010

2,0922020

2,3322025 est.

U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025

How Vance grades

Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Alabama), ordered by how far Vance is from typical.

How grading works

WalkabilityEPA walkability 2.9 of 20; 0.6% of households have no car; 0% of workers walk, bike or ride transitD⁻Open →Jobs & incomeAOpen →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 29% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listB⁺Open →Cost of livingB⁺Open →SafetyBOpen →HealthBibb Medical Center 16 miles awayBOpen →SchoolsB⁻Open →

Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.

Outdoors4 miles of trailsCOpen →History2 notable people born hereC⁺Open →Civic life1.3 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsD⁻Open →

Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.

Climate–Open →Housing market39 days on market–Open →Who lives here–Open →

How TownRatings grades towns →

VanceAlabamaPostOffice, 2009

Vance’s story

196 years in pictures

Census counts: 82 in 1880, 2,092 in 2020. The archive holds 1 old photo or paper going back to 2009 and 3 maps from 1934 on.

1830Vance is settled

Explore the history →

Getting set up

Moving to Vance: who provides what

Who provides power, water and the rest in Vance, and how to reach them.

The full setup list →

PowerAlabama Power17.9¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA

WaterCitizens Water Service, Inc.No health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA

Internet4 providers94% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC

Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Vance’s trash rules yet

SchoolsTuscaloosa County School DistrictWhich school depends on your addressNCES

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.gov

Who runs elections hereTuscaloosa County Circuit ClerkTuscaloosa County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jul 2019

ZIP codes35490, 35188, 3518435490 96% · 35188 3% · 35184 1%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 Vance.

Who lives here

Vance stands out in Alabama and nationally: a smaller share of its residents are 65 or older

In Vance, the midpoint age is 28.9 years. The Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate puts Vance at 2,332 residents, up 11% since 2020. Among residents here, 24% are under 18, close to Alabama’s towns (23%) and above U.S. towns (22%). Four-year graduates: nearly a quarter of adults 25 and older here, 28% across Alabama.

28.9median age · AL 39.3

	Vance	Alabama towns	U.S. towns
Median age	28.9 years	39.2 years	40.5 years
Aged 65 or older	6.9%	18%	18%
Under 18	24%	23%	22%
Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+	23%	23%	29%

VanceAlabamaUnited States

ALU.S.

Ages · share of residents

18%

Education · adults 25 and older

No diploma5%

High school34%

Some college24%

Associate’s15%

Bachelor’s15%

Graduate7%

Women and men · all residents

51% women, 49% men

That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±2.5 points. Across Alabama, 51.4% of residents are women.

Ages and education in Vance
	Vance	AL	U.S.
Under 10	12%	11.8%	11.6%
10 to 17	12.4%	10.4%	10.3%
18 to 24	16.8%	9.5%	9.1%
25 to 34	17.9%	12.9%	13.7%
35 to 44	15.2%	12.4%	13.2%
45 to 54	11.9%	12.2%	12.2%
55 to 64	7.1%	13%	12.7%
65 to 74	3.6%	10.7%	10.2%
75 and older	3.3%	7.1%	7%
No diploma	4.9%	11.4%	10.4%
High school	33.5%	30.3%	26%
Some college	24.2%	20.8%	19.1%
Associate’s	14.7%	9.1%	8.8%
Bachelor’s	15.2%	17.3%	21.6%
Graduate	7.4%	11.1%	14.1%

Full pageVance by the numbersOpen the page

Ages28.9 median age · 7% are 65 or older Schooling23% have a four-year degree Homes83% own their home · Homeowners Income$95K a year · Median household income

Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates · in a town of 2,300, single groups can be off by several points

SchoolsB⁻

On state tests, Vance’s schools trail 53% of Alabama districts

Its public schools are run by the Tuscaloosa County school district. Vance’s only public school teaches 451 students.

47%of AL districts it outscoresB⁻School Grade

School	Level	Students	Letter
Vance Elementary SchoolLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–5	Grades PK–5	451	B⁻

Full pageVance’s schools pageOpen the page

The districtsTuscaloosa County Vs. the neighborsAhead of 1 of its 2 graded neighbors Every school1 school · Vance Elementary School Questions“Are Vance’s schools good?”

NCES · EDFacts · graded within AL on state tests and graduation

Natural hazardsHazard risk grade B⁺

In Vance, the FEMA risk score runs lower than in the typical Alabama or U.S. town

Federal aid has come to Vance households in 4 declared disasters; the latest was in 2014. FEMA puts 44% of the town’s expected hazard losses down to inland flooding, and 28% to tornadoes. Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 71% of U.S. communities.

29risk score of 100

FEMA risk score

Inland floodingTornadoesHeat waves

federal disasters paid out here

Full pageVance’s hazards pageOpen the page

What it facesLow risk Flood claims0 paid flood claims · No paid flood claims on record Past disasters4 federal disasters · Paid out in Vance Get ready2.1 events a year, on average · Ready for inland flooding

FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

Climate

Expect mild winters and hot summers in Vance

July afternoons reach 91°, January nights drop to 34° and snow is almost unheard of.

91°summer high

Typical low → high °F

Winter35–57°

Spring51–75°

Summer68–90°

Fall52–76°

Nov 11

typical first frost

Mar 20

typical last frost

+0.5°

vs. the 20th-century average

91°

typical summer high

Full pageVance’s climate pageOpen the page

A year of weatherJuly highs 91°, January lows 34°Rain & snow56″ of rain a year · Snow is almost unheard of Heating & coolingBoth heating and cooling Then and now+0.5° vs. the 20th century · Warmer than the 20th-century average

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

SafetyB

Vance reports less crime per resident than 64% of U.S. towns

Vance’s level of property crime comes in at 4.7 per 1,000 residents. The level of violent crime in the town is 0.9 per 1,000 residents.

64%of U.S. towns report more crimeBSafety Grade

	Vance	Alabama towns	U.S. towns
Property crimes per 1,000 (2025)	4.7 per 1,000 residents	16.9	9.9
Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025)	0.9 per 1,000 residents	2.9	1.6

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

Vance0.9

Alabama3.5

U.S.3.3

Property crime per 1,000 residents

Vance4.7

Alabama15

U.S.15.5

64th

percentile among U.S. towns we grade

violent crimes reported in 2025

property crimes reported in 2025

Full pageVance’s safety reportOpen the page

Violent crime by type0.9 violent crimes per 1,000 Crime over the yearsSteady since 2023 Vs. the neighborsAhead of all 2 graded neighbors Questions“Is Vance, AL safe?”

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police

Work & commuteJobs & income grade A

Vance has 1.2 jobs for every working resident, and 948 people commute in

Vance’s middle household income stands at $95,000. Most working residents leave Vance for work: only 1% work in town. 7.3% of Vance residents live below the poverty line. Employers in Vance added 377 jobs between 2013 and 2023, to 953.

1%work in town

	Vance	Alabama towns	U.S. towns
Average trip to work	33 minutes	25 minutes	25 minutes
Below the poverty line	7.3%	16%	9.6%
Working residents who work in town	0.6%	10%	8%
Median household income	$95,000	$62,000	$80,000

Where working residents work

In Vance1%

Tuscaloosa25%

Bessemer6%

Brookwood5%

Northport4%

18 mi

median commute distance

953

jobs based in Vance

Balanced

jobs vs. working residents

D−

Walkability grade: more walkable than 1% of U.S. towns

Full pageVance’s work & commute pageOpen the page

The jobs here953 jobs based here · Balanced Where people work1% work in Vance Commute times33 minutes · The average commute How far they goHalf commute less than 18 miles

Census LEHD 2023 · ACS

HealthB

Residents of Vance are healthier than 56% of U.S. towns

The share of adults in Vance who report frequent physical distress: 12%. On the CDC’s 32 measures, Vance is ahead of Alabama on 14 and behind on 2. In Vance, 9.5% of adults have diabetes, and 35% have high blood pressure. Among 188 Alabama towns, just one has a higher share of adults who binge drink than Vance.

56%healthier than U.S. townsBHealth Grade

	Vance	Alabama towns	U.S. towns
Binge drink (CDC PLACES)	18%	14%	16%
Diabetes (CDC PLACES)	9.5%	15%	12%
High blood pressure (CDC PLACES)	35%	43%	35%
Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES)	12%	15%	14%

32 measures vs. Alabama

14 better16 too close to call2 worse

What stands out	Vance	AL
Fewer adults with diabetes	9.5%	14.8%
Fewer adults with heart disease	4.8%	7.3%
More binge drinkers	18.3%	14.1%

Bibb Medical Center

16 mi away · emergency room

3 of 3

care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health

Full pageVance’s health reportOpen the page

Everyday habitsMore binge drinkers Hospitals & doctors nearby16 miles to an ER · Bibb Medical Center How adults are doingFewer adults in fair or poor health Every CDC estimateBetter than AL on 14 of 32

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

HousingCost of living grade B⁺

Homes in Vance are worth about $242K, by Zillow’s estimate

A home in Vance typically sold within 39 days of listing. For Vance, the typical rent is $1,550 a month. 83% of households own their home here.

$242KZillow home value

	Vance	Alabama towns	U.S. towns
Median rent	$1,550 a month	$940 a month	$1,185 a month
Households that own their home	83%	69%	73%

Typical home value

Vance$242K

Alabama$239K

Market temperature

days on market

100%

sale-to-list price

+1%

value change, 1 year

homes sold in May

Full pageVance’s housing & cost-of-living pageOpen the page

Prices over the yearsUp 1% in a year Years of income to buyA typical home costs 2.6 years of income Rents$1,550 a month · Median rent Vs. the neighborsAhead of 1 of its 2 graded neighbors

Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center

OutdoorsC

0% of Vance is conserved land

Walkers can cover 4.3 miles of trail in 1 park or preserve. The trail network density for Vance comes to 0.4 miles per square mile.

0%conserved

conserved · 2 of 6,499 acres

4.3 mi

of trails · 0.4 per sq mi

Biggest places to walk	Trails	Acres
1. Vance Park	0.9 mi	30

Full pageVance’s outdoors pageOpen the page

Trail map4.3 miles of trail, mapped Pick a walk0.9 miles of trail · Vance Park Conserved land0% conserved · 2 acres protected Questions“Where can I hike in Vance?”

Nearby attractions

Bryant–Denny Stadium and 23 more within 40 miles

Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Vance. Close and well known come first.

All 29 attractions →

Big draw19 mi Stadium & arenaBryant–Denny Stadium

32 mi Stadium & arenaLegion Field

34 mi Stadium & arenaProtective Stadium

35 mi MuseumSloss Furnaces

26 mi Ancient siteMoundville Archaeological Site

34 mi Stadium & arenaLegacy Arena

Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons

Photo credits

Bryant–Denny Stadium: Joel יוֹאֵל, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Legion Field: USGS, Public domain · Protective Stadium: Unknown, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sloss Furnaces: DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Moundville Archaeological Site: Altairisfar (Jeffrey Reed), CC BY-SA 3.0 · Legacy Arena: AuburnShuffle, CC0

After high school

Colleges nearby

None within 15 miles of Vance; the nearest are

The University of AlabamaUniversity or college · Public · Tuscaloosa18.7 mi$12,180 in-state tuition Shelton State Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Tuscaloosa19.7 mi$5,127 in-state tuition

About 7 of every 100 Vance residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Alabama.

Prices by family income, graduation and earnings →

About Vance

Town in Alabama, United States

Vance is a town in Tuscaloosa and Bibb counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, Vance had a population of 2,092. It is most famous for the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International plant, currently the only one in North America. The Tuscaloosa County portion of Vance is part of the Tuscaloosa Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the Bibb County portion is part of the Birmingham–Hoover Metropolitan Statistical Area.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Established: 1830
Area: 10 sq mi
Elevation: 509 ft
ZIP code: 35490
Area code: 205

Vance’s neighbors

2 towns share a border with Vance.

Explore the map →

TuscaloosaWoodstockVance

Tuscaloosa

W · 25% of Vance workers commute here

Visit

Woodstock

Visit

How the neighbors grade

Town	AL rank	Overall	Cost	Safety	Schools	Health
Vance	—	—	B⁺	B	B⁻	B
Tuscaloosa	#143	D	C⁺	D	C	C
Woodstock	—	—	A	D	B⁻	D

Vance and Woodstock have fewer than 2,500 residents, so they get subject grades but no overall grade. Compare Vance with a neighbor →

Questions about Vance

Short answers, built from the data on this page.

Is Vance, AL expensive?

Not for the area. That is 3.9 years of the area's median household income ($61,517 across the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades B+.

What is Vance, AL known for?

2 notable people were born here, including Alabama Slim and Ralph Moody.

Post to Vance

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Is Vance a good place to live?