Small-town market profile · Alabama
Fort Payne, AL area market data
Population, household spending and competition for 56 business types in the Fort Payne area, each scored against other small-town markets.
- Population, 2025
- 74,085
- +3.4% since 2020
- Households
- 26,181
- Median household income
- $51,204
- +26.6% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $152,700
- Jobs located here
- 22,918
- Highest market score
- 86
- Insurance agencies, #29 of 537 scored small-town markets
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Fort Payne area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Fort Payne area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
An estimated 74,085 people live in the Fort Payne area, in 26,181 households. Population estimates put the population change in the Fort Payne area from 2020 to 2025 at +3.4%, in step with the U.S. (+3.1%). The median household income in the Fort Payne area is $51,204 a year, 37% below the U.S. median of $80,734. That rose 26.6% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
Set against the U.S., households in the Fort Payne area spend the most on vehicle insurance (an index of 144, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on memberships, classes and admissions (50).
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Fort Payne area are for insurance agencies (86); landscaping and lawn care companies (77); and lawn care, cleaning and pest control companies (74). The Fort Payne area ranks #29 of 537 scored small-town markets for insurance agencies.
The Fort Payne area is made up of one county, DeKalb County. For its number of households, the Fort Payne area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for convenience stores (2.5 times the U.S. rate) and the fewest for real estate agents and brokers (54% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Fort Payne area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Fort Payne area with other small-town markets for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among small-town markets | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance agencies | 86 | #29 of 537 | 32 | 12.2 | $2.3M | 184 | 19 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 77 | #33 of 399 | 10 | 3.8 | $3.2M | 110 | 8 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 74 | #45 of 481 | 16 | 6.1 | $2M | 120 | 16 |
| Gas stations | 73 | #59 of 536 | 29 | 11.1 | $3M | 124 | 45 |
| Child care and preschools | 70 | #73 of 454 | 6 | 2.3 | $1.3M | 131 | 8 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 69 | #59 of 476 | 10 | 3.8 | $6.2M | 130 | 14 |
| Electricians | 64 | #62 of 295 | 5 | 1.9 | $12.4M | 103 | 14 |
| Home repair trades | 62 | #120 of 526 | 22 | 8.4 | $2.8M | 116 | 33 |
| Pizza | 62 | #135 of 520 | 13 | 5.0 | $6.1M | 119 | 45 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 62 | #153 of 538 | 204 | 77.9 | $386K | 104 | 87 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 61 | #108 of 378 | 5 | 1.9 | $2.6M | 126 | Under 3 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 61 | #123 of 533 | 37 | 14.1 | Index only | 168 | 8 |
| Real estate | 60 | #136 of 536 | 46 | 17.6 | Index only | 170 | 16 |
| Chiropractors | 60 | #136 of 426 | 8 | 3.1 | $3M | 126 | 7 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 60 | #148 of 507 | 18 | 6.9 | $4.4M | 106 | 5 |
| Veterinarians | 59 | #132 of 398 | 9 | 3.4 | $2M | 75 | 6 |
| Nail salons | 59 | #133 of 387 | 7 | 2.7 | $2.7M | 164 | Under 3 |
| Car washes and detailing | 58 | #154 of 441 | 12 | 4.6 | $2.1M | 85 | Under 3 |
| Pet businesses | 58 | #166 of 527 | 30 | 11.5 | $614K | 70 | 6 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 58 | #171 of 538 | 86 | 32.8 | $223K | 105 | 3 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 58 | #192 of 526 | 17 | 6.5 | $1.4M | 144 | 13 |
| Property management | 57 | #65 of 180 | 6 | 2.3 | Index only | 102 | 6 |
| Funeral homes | 57 | #138 of 365 | 12 | 4.6 | $323K | 48 | 4 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 56 | #152 of 400 | 7 | 2.7 | $3.4M | 110 | 5 |
| Roofing and gutters | 55 | #111 of 288 | 7 | 2.7 | $8.8M | 105 | 5 |
| Spas and skin care | 54 | #203 of 504 | 14 | 5.3 | $1.4M | 156 | Under 3 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 54 | #225 of 538 | 119 | 45.5 | $662K | 100 | 35 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 53 | #239 of 529 | 25 | 9.5 | $3.2M | 85 | 5 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 52 | #173 of 387 | 10 | 3.8 | $2.6M | 83 | 9 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 52 | #247 of 535 | 19 | 7.3 | $671K | 101 | Under 3 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 52 | #258 of 537 | 30 | 11.5 | $2.6M | 86 | 45 |
| Physical therapy | 51 | #199 of 400 | 8 | 3.1 | $3M | 125 | 10 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 50 | #266 of 536 | 42 | 16.0 | $969K | 110 | 15 |
| Auto repair and car care | 48 | #293 of 538 | 119 | 45.5 | $216K | 80 | 42 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 47 | #221 of 387 | 11 | 4.2 | $1.7M | 66 | Under 3 |
| Auto repair shops | 46 | #328 of 538 | 76 | 29.0 | $338K | 76 | 30 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 45 | #326 of 538 | 141 | 53.9 | $171K | 112 | 65 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 44 | #322 of 536 | 37 | 14.1 | $1.1M | 87 | 15 |
| Gyms | 42 | #343 of 506 | 13 | 5.0 | $981K | 75 | Under 3 |
| Hair salons | 40 | #382 of 538 | 50 | 19.1 | $383K | 89 | Under 3 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 38 | #329 of 458 | 19 | 7.3 | $1.3M | 71 | 30 |
| Convenience stores | 34 | #421 of 529 | 52 | 19.9 | $2.7M | 34 | 7 |
| Tire shops | 33 | #344 of 431 | 19 | 7.3 | $1.4M | 54 | 10 |
| Barbershops | 32 | #301 of 377 | 14 | 5.3 | $1.4M | 73 | Under 3 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 25 | #477 of 538 | 90 | 34.4 | $1.5M | 46 | 24 |
| Grocery stores | 24 | #454 of 506 | 28 | 10.7 | $5M | 53 | 17 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.5 | $8.1M | 79 | 5 |
| Pet stores | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.5 | $4.6M | 102 | Under 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 1.1 | Index only | 290 | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 1.1 | $8.6M | 62 | Under 3 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.8 | $16.1M | Too few | 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.4 | $12.8M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in the Fort Payne area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $25.7M | $983 | 103 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $85.8M | $3,276 | 126 |
| Food away from home | $78.8M | $3,011 | 74 |
| Groceries | $139.1M | $5,315 | 84 |
| Personal care products and services | $19.2M | $732 | 73 |
| Child care and other personal services | $7.9M | $301 | 52 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $12.8M | $487 | 50 |
| Medical and dental services | $24.1M | $920 | 71 |
| Pets | $18.4M | $704 | 77 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $40.7M | $1,555 | 76 |
| Vehicle insurance | $73.9M | $2,823 | 144 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $61.9M | $2,365 | 78 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $32.2M | $1,232 | 87 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $339.1M | $12,951 | 78 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Fort Payne area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 74,085+3.4% since 2020
- Households
- 26,181
- Median age
- 40.0
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 78%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.1
- Land area
- 777 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 93
- Median household income
- $51,204+26.6% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $68,235
- Median home value
- $152,700
- Jobs located here
- 22,918
- Daytime population
- 67,317Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Fort Payne area?
These figures cover the whole small-town market. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Fort Payne area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Fort Payne area 1
- DeKalb County, AL72,269 people
Other markets based in Alabama 12
- Birmingham, AL metro area1,184,613 people
- Huntsville, AL metro area516,951 people
- Mobile, AL metro area412,590 people
- Montgomery, AL metro area386,024 people
- Tuscaloosa, AL metro area278,526 people
- Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL metro area246,989 people
- Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area199,825 people
- Decatur, AL metro area157,747 people
- Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL metro area153,852 people
- Dothan, AL metro area152,674 people
- Anniston-Oxford, AL metro area116,090 people
- Gadsden, AL metro area103,105 people
Questions
How fast is the Fort Payne, AL area growing?
Population estimates put the Fort Payne area at 74,085 people in 2025, up 3.4% since 2020, in step with the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 26,181 households. Against the 2015–2019 survey, median household income rose 26.6%, before inflation.
How much do households in the Fort Payne, AL area spend?
Households in the Fort Payne area spend about $339.1M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $139.1M on groceries and $85.8M on gasoline and other fuels. Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Fort Payne area runs highest on vehicle insurance (an index of 144, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on memberships, classes and admissions (50).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Fort Payne, AL area?
Of the business types scored in the Fort Payne area, insurance agencies (86); landscaping and lawn care companies (77); and lawn care, cleaning and pest control companies (74) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For insurance agencies, that ranks #29 of 537 scored small-town markets.
How does the Fort Payne, AL area compare with the U.S.?
Median household income in the Fort Payne area is $51,204, 37% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 3.4% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $152,700, against $332,700 for the U.S. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for convenience stores (2.5 times the U.S. rate) and lowest for real estate agents and brokers (54% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. A small-town market is a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people and the county or counties tied to it by commuting. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 46 of the 56 business types have a score in the Fort Payne area, each ranked against other small-town markets.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Fort Payne area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
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Screening a site or an acquisition in the Fort Payne area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Fort Payne area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.