Gadsden
RANK #240 / 996 NAT · #9 / 27 AL · POP 103,348
1YR FORECAST: +3.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +31%
Etowah County, Alabama, is perhaps best known for Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden, where a 90-foot waterfall cascades into a ravine. The county, located in northeast Alabama, offers diverse outdoor recreation with mountains, valleys, forests, rivers, and lakes. Gadsden, the county seat, sits about 55 miles northeast of Birmingham, offering a community feel with access to larger city amenities. The Coosa River, a prominent feature, provides opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water activities. Life in Etowah County blends natural beauty with community focus. The area attracts families and retirees, with a high homeownership rate. Public schools in Etowah County are rated above average. Economically, the county is diversifying beyond its industrial past. Recent developments include significant investments in a 1,200-acre "mega-site" along I-59, aimed at attracting large employers, particularly in the automotive supply chain. Gadsden State Community College also supports the workforce with advanced manufacturing programs.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.9x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Northeast Alabama Regional (NEAR) Megasite Infrastructure
Etowah County Commission, Alabama Power, Norfolk Southern Railroad
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Eastern Corridor (I-759 to Highway 278 East)
State of Alabama
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 76/100, Etowah County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.1%, and median household income stands at $52,177 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in AL.
By national standards, Etowah County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $148,400, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.35 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $779/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Etowah County are hiring — job growth of +1.1% — but the population is close to flat (-0.1% YoY). Home values moved +3.2% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.12% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Etowah County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.