Sylacauga, AL

Census place 0174352 · pop 12,309

D−43/ 100
🫤 Rough
D−
in AL
📍 Alabama ranks #23 of 50 states →
🏆 Rent$1,050/mo · top 5%
🚽 Obesity47.0% · bottom 2%
Taxes
0.49% property · US 0.99%9.46% sales · US 7.00%up to 5.00% income · US 4.63%

Sales & income are statewide.

The breakdown — worst first

Adult obesity47.0%2

U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities

47.0% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Property crime rate3535/100k8

U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities

3535 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Adult smoking19.3%8

U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities

19.3% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Physical inactivity35.5%8

U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities

35.5% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Median household income$50,01712

U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities

$50,017 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Violent crime rate562/100k14

U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities

562 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.

Poverty rate21.0%15

U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities

21.0% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Bachelor's degree or higher17.9%17

U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities

17.9% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Poor mental health18.8%24

U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities

18.8% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Homeownership55.1%25

U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities

55.1% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Uninsured adults11.6%34

U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities

11.6% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Population growth (5yr)+0.7%34

U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities

+0.7% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Commute time24 min48

U.S. median 24 min · worse than most cities

24 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.

Income inequality0.4258

U.S. median 0.43 · better than most cities

Gini 0.42 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Broadband access92.6%59

U.S. median 90.0% · better than most cities

92.6% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Natural disaster riskCounty-level72/10074

U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities

72/100 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.

Unemployment rateCounty-level3.1%75

U.S. median 3.6% · better than most cities

3.1% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Housing cost$161,20082

U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities

$161,200 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Property-tax burden0.49%92

U.S. median 0.99% · better than most cities

0.49% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Rent$1,050/mo95

U.S. median $1,756/mo · better than most cities

$1,050/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).

Not measured for Sylacauga: 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 Sylacauga, AL a good place to live?
By the numbers, Sylacauga scores 43/100 — 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 rent and its weakest is adult obesity. 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 Sylacauga, AL?
Sylacauga reports 562 violent crimes per 100k and 3535 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Sylacauga, AL expensive to live in?
Sylacauga has a median home value of $161,200 and typical rent around $1,050/mo — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Sylacauga, AL?
Its weakest measured area is adult obesity (47.0%) — 2/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Sylacauga, AL best at?
Its strongest measured area is rent ($1,050/mo) — 95/100, better than most U.S. cities.

Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.