Phenix City, AL
Census place 0159472 · pop 38,499
Once branded 'the wickedest city in America' for vice and corruption until 1954 martial law cleaned it up.
Source ↗Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities
81.3% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities
791 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities
43.4% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities
3478 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities
24.5% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities
$50,053 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities
18.0% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities
33.1% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities
Gini 0.48 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities
19.4% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities
52.4% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities
12.1% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities
23.2% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities
22 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
U.S. median +2.4% · better than most cities
+5.4% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities
71/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median $1,756/mo · better than most cities
$1,349/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).
U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities
$170,300 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median 0.99% · better than most cities
0.51% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 3.6% · better than most cities
2.4% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
Not measured for Phenix City: Air, Bad air. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.
Frequently asked
- Is Phenix City, AL a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Phenix City scores 41/100 — a D− (Rough) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 20 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is unemployment rate and its weakest is broadband access. Alabama overall ranks #23 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
- How safe is Phenix City, AL?
- Phenix City reports 791 violent crimes per 100k and 3478 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Phenix City, AL expensive to live in?
- Phenix City has a median home value of $170,300 and typical rent around $1,349/mo — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Phenix City, AL?
- Its weakest measured area is broadband access (81.3%) — 5/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Phenix City, AL best at?
- Its strongest measured area is unemployment rate (2.4%) — 96/100, better than most U.S. cities. (A county-level figure.) Fun fact: Once branded 'the wickedest city in America' for vice and corruption until 1954 martial law cleaned it up.
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.