The Town FilesHamilton, Alabama
City in Marion County · population 7,042 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $106,300
- Household income
- $54,871
- Jan low / Jul high
- 28° / 92°
- Snow a year
- 1 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 23
- Median age
- 45.4
Hamilton is a city of 7,042 people in Marion County, Alabama. The median home is worth $106,300, below the typical Alabama town ($161,250). It ranks better for retirees than 91% of Alabama towns, better for first-time buyers than 91% of Alabama towns, quieter than 71% of Alabama towns.
- #2 in The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in Alabama
- #6 in The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Alabama
- #11 in 25 Small Towns in Alabama With the Cheapest Homes
- #14 in The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Alabama
- #18 in The 25 Quietest Small Towns in Alabama
- #27 in The 50 Best Affordable Small Towns to Retire in America With Mild Winters
How Hamilton ranks
Percentile among Alabama towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Alabama towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Hamilton is worth $106,300, below the typical Alabama town ($161,250). Homes cost about 1.9 times the median household income of $54,871, which is more affordable than 93% of Alabama towns. Median rent is $599 a month. 66.7% of households own their home.
| Housing | Hamilton | Typical Alabama town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $106,300 | $161,250 |
| Median rent | $599 | $834 |
| Median household income | $54,871 | $56,250 |
| Home value ÷ income | 1.9× | 2.8× |
| Homeownership | 66.7% | 71.3% |
| Median year built | 1976 | 1981 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.2% | — |
Who lives in Hamilton
| People | Hamilton | Typical Alabama town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.4 | 39.9 |
| Age 65 and over | 23.5% | 18.1% |
| Under 18 | 19.5% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.6% | 17.3% |
| Below the poverty line | 16.7% | 16.7% |
| Veterans | 5.5% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 1.1% | — |
| Work from home | 7.1% | 5.1% |
| Average commute | 24.3 min | 26.1 min |
| Homes with broadband | 78.3% | 86.7% |
Weather in Hamilton
July highs average 91.5°F and January lows 28.3°F. About 61.7 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 1.3 inches of snow (typical Alabama town: 0.6 in). Expect about 78 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 96 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
23 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Hamilton since 1950, compared with 30 for the typical Alabama town. 10 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF5, struck on April 27, 2011 about 3.8 miles from the town center and killed 18. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 25 deaths and 234 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on April 1, 2023.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 29 times; the largest was 4.00 inches on April 27, 2011.
Severe weather in Marion County since 1996
Marion County has been included in 26 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, drought, tornado.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| September 26, 2024 | Hurricane | EM-3618: Hurricane Helene |
| May 5, 2023 | Severe Storm | DR-4710: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And Tornadoes |
| September 14, 2020 | Hurricane | EM-3545: Hurricane Sally |
| May 21, 2020 | Severe Storm | DR-4546: Severe Storms And Flooding |
| March 29, 2020 | Biological | DR-4503: Covid-19 Pandemic |
Jobs and pay in Marion County
Marion County had 10,222 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $48,179 a year. Unemployment was 2.9% in 2023; in Hamilton itself the ACS puts it at 3.9%.
Public schools in Hamilton
3 public schools with 1,564 students, about 15.8 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Elementary School | PK-4 | 656 | 14.3 |
| Hamilton High School | 9-12 | 456 | 16.9 |
| Hamilton Middle School | 5-8 | 452 | 17.4 |
Towns near Hamilton
- Winfield, AL17.4 mi · 4,845 people · home $165,500
- Haleyville, AL21.2 mi · 4,361 people · home $97,600
- Red Bay, AL22.6 mi · 3,232 people · home $108,200
- Fulton, MS26.1 mi · 4,542 people · home $158,600
- Russellville, AL28.9 mi · 10,855 people · home $123,800
Hamilton questions
Is Hamilton, Alabama a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Hamilton scores better for retirees than 91% of Alabama towns and quieter than 71%. 23.5% of residents are 65 or older (median age 45.4).
How much does a house cost in Hamilton?
The median owner-occupied home in Hamilton is valued at $106,300 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $54,871, so homes cost about 1.9 times income. Median rent is $599 a month.
What is the weather like in Hamilton?
July highs average 91.5°F and January lows 28.3°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 61.7 inches of precipitation a year and 1.3 inches of snow.
Does Hamilton get tornadoes?
23 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Hamilton since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF5 on April 27, 2011. The typical Alabama town has had 30.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)