If you’re exploring cities and towns near Chattanooga as your next home base, Fort Payne, Alabama might just surprise you. Situated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, this small town offers natural beauty, a tight-knit community, and a rich history that makes living in Fort Payne AL a truly unique experience. Whether you’re breaking a lease in Tennessee or just ready for a fresh start, moving to Fort Payne Alabama is a wonderful idea.
What is Fort Payne Alabama known for? From its excellent schools to a strong emphasis on local connections and outdoor activities, life in Fort Payne is relaxed and balanced. Known as the “Sock Capital of the World” due to its history in textile manufacturing, Fort Payne has an exciting and unique past. Ready to learn more about moving to Fort Payne? Here’s what you need to know about life in this incredible city.
Is Fort Payne AL a Good Place to Live?
Fort Payne AL is a good place to live. After moving to Fort Payne, residents can enjoy amazing schools, beautiful parks, and a cozy, small-town vibe. Life in this community has never been better.
Where Is Fort Payne Alabama?
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Before moving to Fort Payne Alabama, you’ll want to get a better idea of where the community is located. Fort Payne Alabama is in DeKalb County and is the county seat of the area. Fort Payne lies in a valley just west of Lookout Mountain and just east of Sand Mountain. When living in Fort Payne AL, you’ll be close to other small towns and communities like Rainsville and Collinsville. Other locations a short drive away include Chattanooga TN and Dalton GA.
After moving to Fort Payne, you’ll want to have a personal vehicle to get from place to place. There are no public transportation options in the area, and it’s not a very walkable city.
If life in Fort Payne sounds wonderful to you, then get in touch with our Fort Payne movers. Our Fort Payne moving company will make moving to Fort Payne simple and stress-free!
Fort Payne Population & Demographics
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After moving to Fort Payne Alabama, you will be welcomed into the small town with open arms. The population of Fort Payne is 14,877, and there are 5,814 households in the community. The median age of citizens living life in Fort Payne is 39.7, and 60% of households are occupied by married couples.
Moving to Fort Payne has been popular among many notable people, with singer Weston Burt, NFL player Evan McPherson, and golfer Larry Nelson all calling Fort Payne home at some point.
Additional Fort Payne AL Demographics:
- Sex ratio: 52.4% female, 47.6% male
- Racial & ethnic composition: 81.1% White (74.8% non-Hispanic), 4.0% two or more races, 2.2% Black or African American, 1.5% American Indian
- Educational attainment: 78.1% high school degree (or higher), 18.1% bachelor’s degree (or higher)
- Foreign-born population: 8.5%
Is Fort Payne AL safe? Here’s an overview of the Fort Payne crime rate:
- Overall crime: 1,933 crimes per 100,000 people (10.0% lower than state average and 16.8% lower than national average)
- Violent crime: 148 crimes per 100,000 people (63.8% lower than state average and 60.0% lower than national average)
- Property crime: 1,785 crimes per 100,000 people (2.6% higher than state average and 8.7% lower than national average)
As you can see, living in Fort Payne AL is very safe. After moving to Fort Payne, you will be served by the Fort Payne Police Department.
Fort Payne Cost of Living
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Are you wondering whether or not moving to Fort Payne Alabama is affordable for you and your family? The Cost of Living Index in Fort Payne is 74.8, meaning that life in Fort Payne AL is 25.2% more affordable than the national average of 100. This is far less than many of the small towns and communities nearby. According to the Economic Policy Institute Family Budget Calculator, a family of four living in Fort Payne AL would need to earn $78,251 per year to live comfortably in the city.
Typical Fort Payne Living Expenses
These are the everyday living expenses you can expect when living in Fort Payne AL.
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $17.00
- Cappuccino: $5.12
- Gallon of milk: $3.68
- Bottle of wine: $10.00
- Gallon of gas: $3.04
- Average Fort Payne utilities per month: $184.16
- Fitness membership (monthly): $46.50
Source: Numbeo*
*These numbers are for the nearby city of Huntsville, but you can expect similar figures after moving to Fort Payne.
Are you interested in buying Fort Payne AL real estate? According to Redfin, the median home price in Fort Payne AL is $265,000, which is down 11.7% compared to last year. This is much lower than the America average of $428,000, making Fort Payne real estate very affordable.
There are also plenty of apartments in Fort Payne AL. According to RentCafe, the median rent in Fort Payne is $1,230 per month. A few popular apartment complexes in the area include North Pointe Apartments, Ramblewood Apartments, and Village at Hixon Pond.
Neighborhoods in Fort Payne | Best Places to Live in Fort Payne AL
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Before moving to Fort Payne, you’ll want to find the perfect neighborhood to settle down in. Like many small towns, there are not too many distinct neighborhoods, and many of the areas in Fort Payne blend together. Here are a few of the most popular communities you can choose from when living in Fort Payne AL.
- Pine Ridge: This is one of the most popular areas among residents moving to Fort Payne. Here, you’ll find single-family homes built between 1940 and 1969.
- Fisher Crossroads: This area gives off major small-town vibes and is situated near the Little River Canyon National Preserve.
- Terrapin Hills: Life in Terrapin Hills is incredibly peaceful, with large homes situated around the Terrapin Hills Country Club.
- Portobello: This affluent area features some of the most beautiful and expensive homes in the city. Many homes in Portobello are listed for over $800,000 and feature more than five bedrooms.
Fort Payne AL Weather & Climate
What kind of weather can you expect after moving to Fort Payne? Life in Fort Payne is characterized by a subtropical climate, with mild winters and warm summers. You can expect some snow when living in Fort Payne AL; however, it’s not typically enough to accumulate on the ground.
The average annual snowfall in Fort Payne is 55 inches, which is higher than the national average of 38 inches. Additionally, the average Fort Payne temperature in the wintertime is 41.5ºF, while the average Fort Payne temperature in the summertime is 77.5ºF.
Things to Do in Fort Payne AL
There are plenty of fun things to do in Fort Payne AL. After moving to Fort Payne, you can get your grocery shopping done at places like PriceLess IGA and United Grocery Outlet. For retail shopping, you can head to places such as Glenn Crossing and Big Mill Antiques. You can also head to other nearby small towns to enjoy everything that they have to offer. These are just a few of the best things to do in Fort Payne AL.
Little River Canyon National Preserve
After moving to Fort Payne, it’s essential to check out the Little River Canyon National Preserve. This forested nature preserve is situated around Little River, which runs along the top of Lookout Mountain.
4322 Little River Trail #100, Fort Payne, AL 35967, (256) 845-9605
Alabama Fan Club and Museum
One of Fort Payne’s claims to fame is that they are the hometown of the band Alabama. This museum details the band’s life in Fort Payne as well as their rise to fame.
101 Glenn Blvd SW, Fort Payne, AL 35967, (256) 845-1646
DeSoto State Park
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DeSoto State Park spans 3,502 acres and includes a pool, a nature center, waterfalls, and over 25 miles of walking trails.
7104 Desoto Pkwy NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967, (256) 845-0051
Additional Fort Payne Attractions
Still aren’t sure what to do in Fort Payne AL? Here are a few attractions to check out after moving to Fort Payne.
Restaurants in Fort Payne AL
After moving to Fort Payne, you’ll find several wonderful places to eat. You’ll find a wide range of Fort Payne restaurants serving everything from traditional American food to comforting Southern cuisine. These are some of the best restaurants in Fort Payne AL.
Huddle House
When living in Fort Payne AL, you need to try Huddle House at least once. This traditional American restaurant serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
120 Airport Rd W, Fort Payne, AL 35968, (256) 979-1555
Santa Fe Cattle Company
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If you’re looking for southern comfort food after moving to Fort Payne, Santa Fe Cattle Company is the place to be. This chain restaurant features Southwestern food and yummy cocktails.
305 Ruby Tuesday Ln, Fort Payne, AL 35968, (256) 844-9422
Roadside ‘Que
Roadside ‘Que is easily one of the best places to eat in Fort Payne AL. Stop by this casual joint to try out their smoked meats, nachos, and local beers.
607 Gault Ave N suite a, Fort Payne, AL 35967, (256) 599-1387
Jobs in Fort Payne AL
Are you thinking about searching for a new job before or after moving to Fort Payne? Luckily, there are several wonderful Fort Payne jobs to choose from. Fort Payne is home to many large employers, such as Ferguson Enterprises, which has a 645,000-square-foot distribution center in the city. Heil Environmental also has a flagship manufacturing plant in Fort Payne, while PlayCore has a 400,000-square-foot plant in the city center. Life in Fort Payne is wonderful for those looking for a job.
According to Payscale, the average salary in Fort Payne is $82,000. If you’re moving to Fort Payne in search of a job, then check out the city job board or search for Fort Payne jobs on Indeed.
Fort Payne Schools
If you’re moving to Fort Payne with children, then you’ll need to know more about the schools in the area. Luckily, there are plenty of wonderful education options to choose from. Fort Payne is served by the Fort Payne City Schools system and includes Wills Valley Elementary, Little Ridge Intermediate, Fort Payne Middle School, and Fort Payne High School.
For higher education in the area, students can check out Berry College, Covenant College, and Shorter University.
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Residents and students living in Fort Payne AL can enjoy access to the DeKalb Public Library system.
Fort Payne Alabama Statistics & Information
These are a few statistics to know before moving to Fort Payne.
- County: DeKalb County
- Fort Payne area: 56.76 square miles
- Fort Payne zip code: 35967-35968
- Fort Payne area code: 256
- Fort Payne elevation: 1,079 feet
- Fort Payne time zone: Central Time Zone (UTC -5 and -6)
- Closest airport to Fort Payne: Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA), 61 miles away
Fort Payne AL Map
Does moving to Fort Payne sound great to you? The Fort Payne movers at All Out Moving & Storage are ready to make moving to Fort Payne smooth and stress-free. To get started living in Fort Payne AL, give our team a call today at (423) 716-3025 for a free quote.
