Gulf Shores, AL

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Population

11,358

0.942% growth

Median Age

51.6


Median Household Income

$50,227

1.16% decline

Poverty Rate

12.9%


Number of Employees

5,460

10.1% growth

Median Property Value

$251,100

6.13% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Gulf Shores, AL had a population of 11.4k people with a median age of 51.6 and a median household income of $50,227. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Gulf Shores, AL grew from 11,252 to 11,358, a 0.942% increase and its median household income declined from $50,814 to $50,227, a -1.16% decrease.

The population of Gulf Shores, AL is 94.3% White Alone, 3.34% Hispanic or Latino, and 0.986% Asian Alone. 11% of the people in Gulf Shores, AL speak a non-English language, and 98.8% are U.S. citizens.

The median property value in Gulf Shores, AL is $251,100, and the homeownership rate is 60.2%. Most people in Gulf Shores, AL commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 22 minutes. The average car ownership in Gulf Shores, AL is 2 cars per household.

Photo by U.S. Department of Agriculture

United StatesAlabamaBaldwin County, ALDaphne-Fairhope-Foley, ALBaldwin County PUMA, AL

Economy

The economy of Gulf Shores, AL employs 5.46k people. The largest industries in Gulf Shores, AL are Accommodation & Food Services (803 people), Retail Trade (704 people), and Construction (664 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($77,054), Construction ($73,486), and Other Services Except Public Administration ($61,333).

Median household income in Gulf Shores, AL is $50,227. Males in Gulf Shores, AL have an average income that is 1.44 times higher than the average income of females, which is $40,615. The income inequality in Gulf Shores, AL (measured using the Gini index) is 0.46, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$50,227

2017 value

± $6,499

-1.16%

1 Year Growth

± 17.4%

Households in Gulf Shores, AL have a median annual income of $50,227, which is less than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $50,814 in 2016, which represents a -1.16% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Gulf Shores, AL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Alabama.

$58,549

Average Male Salary

± $1,465

$40,615

Average Female Salary

± $997

In 2017, full-time male employees in Gulf Shores, AL made 1.44 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Gulf Shores, AL by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Alabama.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $58,018 ± $10,489

  2. White

    $47,885 ± $1,063

  3. American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races

    $45,909 ± $38,465

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Gulf Shores, AL workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.21 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Gulf Shores, AL by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Gulf Shores, AL is from Alabama.

0.46

2017 Wage GINI

0.458

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in Alabama was 0.46 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.343% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 the GINI for Alabama was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Alabama in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Alabama across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 114.08

  2. Census Tract 114.03

  3. Census Tract 114.06

In 2017, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Gulf Shores, AL was Census Tract 114.08 with a value of $52,159, followed by Census Tract 114.03 and Census Tract 114.06, with respective values of $45,160 and $41,970.

The following map shows all of the places in Gulf Shores, AL colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

12.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Gulf Shores, AL (1.46k out of 11.4k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 45 - 54.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    1,463 ± 414

  2. Hispanic

    121 ± 190

  3. Black

    0 ± 92

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Gulf Shores, AL is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

5.46k

2017 Value

± 794

10.1%

1 Year growth

± 17.7%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Gulf Shores, AL grew at a rate of 10.1%, from 4.96k employees to 5.46k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Gulf Shores, AL, are Sales & Related Occupations (1,068 people), Management Occupations (1,007 people), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (658 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Gulf Shores, AL.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Gulf Shores, AL, by number of employees, are Sales & Related Occupations (1,068 people), Management Occupations (1,007 people), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (658 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Gulf Shores, AL has an unusually high number of residents working as Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (2.06 times higher than expected), Sales & Related Occupations (1.85 times), and Management Occupations (1.81 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Gulf Shores, AL, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($166,250), Business & Financial Operations Occupations ($81,354), and Management, Business, & Financial Occupations ($74,247).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

5.46k

2017 Value

± 794

10.1%

1 Year growth

± 17.7%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Gulf Shores, AL grew at a rate of 10.1%, from 4.96k employees to 5.46k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Gulf Shores, AL, are Accommodation & Food Services (803 people), Retail Trade (704 people), and Construction (664 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Gulf Shores, AL, though some of these residents may live in Gulf Shores, AL and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Gulf Shores, AL, by number of employees, are Accommodation & Food Services (803 people), Retail Trade (704 people), and Construction (664 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Gulf Shores, AL has an unusually high number of Real Estate & Rental & Leasing (4.24 times higher than expected), Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation (2.01 times), and Construction (1.94 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Gulf Shores, AL, by median earnings, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($77,054), Construction ($73,486), and Other Services Except Public Administration ($61,333).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Alabama to other states, or from other states to Alabama.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Motorized vehicles

    $40.7B

  2. Mixed freight

    $28B

  3. Coal-n.e.c.

    $21.5B

In 2015, the top outbound Alabama product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $40.7B, followed by Mixed freight with $28B and Coal-n.e.c. and $21.5B.

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Alabama products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Alabama state.

$243B

2015 Value

$367B

Projected 2045 Value

50.7% growth

In 2015, total outbound Alabama trade was $243B. This is expected to increase 50.7% to $367B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Alabama trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Alabama to other states, or from other states to Alabama.

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. Georgia

    $25.3B

  2. Florida

    $16.7B

  3. Tennessee

    $14.5B

In 2015, the top outbound Alabama domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Georgia with $25.3B, followed by Florida with $16.7B and Tennessee and $14.5B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Alabama shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

87.3% of the population of Gulf Shores, AL has health coverage, with 33.7% on employee plans, 6.79% on Medicaid, 20.5% on Medicare, 24.1% on non-group plans, and 2.21% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the place of Gulf Shores, AL was $7,281 in 2014. This is a 4.07% increase from the previous year ($6,996).

Primary care physicians in Gulf Shores, AL see 1535 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.1% decrease from the previous year (1552 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2139 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1185 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Greene County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (21.1%). Additionally, Macon County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (47.8%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alabama.

1,535 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Alabama see an average of 1,535 patients per year. This represents a 1.1% decrease from the previous year (1,552 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Alabama in comparison to neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alabama.

$7,281

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$3,641

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,042

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,267

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Alabama (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.07%, from $6,996 to $7,281.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

12.7%

Uninsured

33.7%

Employer Coverage

6.79%

Medicaid

20.5%

Medicare

24.1%

Non-Group

2.21%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Gulf Shores, AL declined by 8.25% from 13.9% to 12.7%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Gulf Shores, AL changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Greene County

    21.1% prevalence

  2. Perry County

    20.9% prevalence

  3. Sumter County

    20.4% prevalence

Greene County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Alabama, at 21.1%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Alabama by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Gulf Shores, AL is home to a population of 11.4k people, from which 98.8% are citizens. As of 2017, 2.32% of Gulf Shores, AL residents were born outside of the country.

The ethnic composition of the population of Gulf Shores, AL is composed of 10.7k White Alone residents (94.3%), 379 Hispanic or Latino residents (3.34%), 112 Asian Alone residents (0.986%), 98 Two or More Races residents (0.863%), 35 Black or African American Alone residents (0.308%), 25 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.22%), 0 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0%), and 0 Some Other Race Alone residents (0%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in Gulf Shores, AL are Spanish or Spanish Creole (468 speakers), French (Incl. Patois, Cajun) (244 speakers), and Chinese (186 speakers).

Age

Age by Nativity

52

Median Native-Born Age

± 3.4

56

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 39.9

In 2017, the median age of all people in Gulf Shores, AL was 51.6. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 52, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 56. But people in Gulf Shores, AL are getting getting older. In 2016, the average age of all Gulf Shores, AL residents was 47.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

2.32%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

5.95%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

As of 2017, 2.32% of Gulf Shores, AL residents were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Gulf Shores, AL was 5.95%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Gulf Shores, AL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

  1. Mexico

    51,837 ± 5,560 people

  2. Guatemala

    11,080 ± 2,581 people

  3. India

    9,229 ± 2,356 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Gulf Shores, AL was Mexico, the natal country of 51,837 Gulf Shores, AL residents, followed by Guatemala with 11,080 and India with 9,229.

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Citizenship

98.8%

2017 Citizenship

95.7%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 98.8% of Gulf Shores, AL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Gulf Shores, AL was 95.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Gulf Shores, AL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    10.7k ± 339

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    379 ± 277

  3. Asian Alone

    112 ± 114

In 2017, there were 28.3 times more White Alone residents (10.7k people) in Gulf Shores, AL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 379 Hispanic or Latino and 112 Asian Alone residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Gulf Shores, AL as a share of the total population.

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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

  1. Spanish or Spanish Creole

    468 speakers (4.7%)

  2. French (Incl. Patois, Cajun)

    244 speakers (2.45%)

  3. Chinese

    186 speakers (1.87%)

11% of Gulf Shores, AL citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is lower than the national average of 21.5%. In 2015, the most common non-English language spoken in Gulf Shores, AL was Spanish or Spanish Creole. 4.7% of the overall population of Gulf Shores, AL are native Spanish or Spanish Creole speakers. 2.45% speak French (Incl. Patois, Cajun) and 1.87% speak Spanish or Spanish Creole, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    802 ± 268

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    257 ± 186

  3. Korea

    47 ± 41

Gulf Shores, AL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.12 times greater than any other conflict.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Gulf Shores, AL was $251,100 in 2017, which is 1.15 times larger than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $236,600 to $251,100, a 6.13% increase. The homeownership rate in Gulf Shores, AL is 60.2%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Gulf Shores, AL have an average commute time of 22 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Gulf Shores, AL is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Income

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$50,227

Median Household Income

± $6,499

5.49k

Number of Households

± 709

In 2017, the median household income of the 5.49k households in Gulf Shores, AL declined from $50,227 from the previous year's value of $50,814.

The following chart displays the households in Gulf Shores, AL distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

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Housing

Property Value

$251,100

2017 Median

± $35,580

$236,600

2016 Median

± $27,975

In 2017, the median property value in Gulf Shores, AL grew to to $251,100 from the previous year's value of $236,600.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Gulf Shores, AL compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Gulf Shores, AL the largest share of households have a property value in the $300k - $400k range.

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Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Gulf Shores, AL distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Gulf Shores, AL the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

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Rent vs Own

60.2%

2017 Homeownership

55.4%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 60.2% of the housing units in Gulf Shores, AL were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 55.4%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Gulf Shores, AL compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Gulf Shores, AL distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Gulf Shores, AL have 2 cars, followed by 1 car.

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Commute Time

22 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Gulf Shores, AL have a shorter commute time (22 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 2.69% of the workforce in Gulf Shores, AL have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Gulf Shores, AL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    77%

  2. Worked At Home

    11.5%

  3. Carpooled

    9.18%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Gulf Shores, AL was Drove Alone, followed by those who Worked At Home and those who Carpooled.

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