Russell County, Alabama: commercial real estate data.
Russell County, Alabama had an estimated 58,837 residents on July 1, 2024, down 0.6 percent since the 2020 census base of 59,171, across 641 square miles. County output reached $2.31 bn in 2024, 850 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 18 7(a) approvals worth $16.1 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Russell County
How many people live in Russell County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202458,811
- Households23,938
- Average household size2.46
- Median household income$51,197
- Median age37.5
- Median gross rent$939 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$165,700
- Home value to household income3.2 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income22.0 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher18.2 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree5.9 percent
- Adults 25 and over39,900
- Population under 1814,298
- Share under 1824.3 percent
- Population 65 and over8,979
- Share 65 and over15.3 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6435,534
- Civilian labor force24,232
- Unemployment rate6.2 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over54.4 percent
- Rank by population among Alabama counties24th of 67
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included908th of 3,222
Russell County is the 24th largest of 67 Alabama counties by population. A median home costs 3.2 times median household income, which is moderately unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 24.3 percent against 15.3 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Russell County
Is Russell County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202458,837
- Census 2020 base population59,171
- Population change since the 2020 census base-0.56 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 202445
- Births, 2024535
- Deaths, 2024691
- Natural change, 2024-156
- Net domestic migration, 2024157
- Net international migration, 202442
- Total net migration, 2024199
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024-353
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents2036th of 3,144
The county has lost 0.56 percent of its population since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Russell County
Where are people moving to Russell County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving2,307
- People arriving, from those returns4,708
- Tax returns filed by households leaving2,382
- Net household movement-75
- Adjusted gross income arriving$96.9 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-12.8 m
- Average income of an arriving household$41,983
- Average income of a leaving household$46,047
- Largest single originMuscogee County (616 households)
- Largest single destinationMuscogee County (597 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muscogee County | 616 | 1,282 | $21.9 m |
| Lee County | 480 | 997 | $19.7 m |
| Montgomery County | 40 | 95 | $2.2 m |
| Chattahoochee County | 26 | 48 | $1.1 m |
| Harris County | 26 | 49 | $1.2 m |
| Montgomery County | 25 | 33 | $721,000 |
| Foreign - APO/FPO ZIPs | 25 | 52 | $1.3 m |
| El Paso County | 22 | 56 | $1.4 m |
Households arriving report $4,064 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Muscogee County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Russell County
What is the Russell County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$2.31 bn
- County GDP, 2023$2.15 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20247.6 percent
- GDP change over five years43.4 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Alabama areas BEA publishes25th of 67
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes1170th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$39,322
Output grew 7.6 percent in the latest year and 43.4 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Russell County
Employment by industry in Russell County
- Covered employment, annual average14,057
- Establishments reporting1,202
- Average annual pay$47,497
- Average weekly wage$913
- Manufacturing, employment2,646
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$67,093
- Retail trade, employment1,992
- Retail trade, average annual pay$31,423
- Health care and social assistance, employment1,832
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$51,069
- Accommodation and food services, employment1,726
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$18,331
- Construction, employment689
- Finance and insurance, employment485
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 2,646 | 51 | $67,093 |
| Retail trade | 1,992 | 190 | $31,423 |
| Health care and social assistance | 1,832 | 150 | $51,069 |
| Accommodation and food services | 1,726 | 116 | $18,331 |
| Construction | 689 | 122 | $61,199 |
| Finance and insurance | 485 | 85 | $57,313 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 446 | 66 | $36,327 |
| Other services, except public administration | 295 | 77 | $42,580 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 2,646 jobs, 18.8 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Russell County
How many businesses are in Russell County?
- Establishments, all industries850
- Employment at those establishments11,055
- Annual payroll$483.0 m
- Establishments per 1,000 residents14.5
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Russell County
Building permits in Russell County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024183
- Declared construction value permitted$51.5 m
- Single family units authorized171
- Multifamily units authorized12
- Multifamily share of units6.6 percent
- Average declared value per unit$281,471
- Units authorized per 1,000 households7.6
Single-family homes are 93.4 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Russell County
SBA loans in Russell County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded18
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$16.1 m
- Average 7(a) approval$896,894
- Median 7(a) approval$624,550
- Largest single approval$3,793,800
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)201
- Jobs per approval11.2
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active14
- Distinct industries receiving approvals14
- Median 7(a) term123 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer38.9 percent
- Loans on real estate terms7
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter9
- Franchise loans7
- Franchise share of approvals38.9 percent
- Leading industry by approval countHotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (4)
- Most active lenderPinnacle Bank (3)
- 504 approvals recorded4
- 504 gross approval dollars$3.4 m
- Average 504 approval$862,000
- Median 504 approval$919,000
- Distinct CDCs active4
- 504 jobs per approval19.3
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved22.3
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$19.6 m
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Russell County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Russell County
Do SBA loans in Russell County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded2
- Paid in full2
- Charged off0
- Status: Exempt from disclosure14
- Status: Paid in full2
- Status: Cancelled2
Only 2 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Russell County
SBA lending by place in Russell County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending3
- Phenix City, approvals16
- Lafayette, approvals1
- Seale, approvals1
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Phenix City | 16 | $15,483,600 |
| Lafayette | 1 | $639,500 |
| Seale | 1 | $21,000 |
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Russell County
How large is Russell County?
- Land area641 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Alabama counties40th of 67
- Width, east to west30.7 mi
- Height, north to south31 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary7
- Residents per square mile of land92
- Establishments per square mile1.33
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Russell County
Flood risk in Russell County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Russell County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 010287
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book3
- Of those, participating in the NFIP3
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Russell County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/LZone 2
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Russell County (community 010287), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Russell County in radon zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Russell County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Russell County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202458,811
- Households23,938
- Average household size2.46
- Median household income$51,197
- Median age37.5
Common questions
Russell County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Russell County, Alabama?
The Census Bureau estimates 58,837 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 58,811, in 23,938 households, ranking 24th of 67 Alabama counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Russell County's population growing?
The population has fallen 0.56 percent since the 2020 census base of 59,171, to 58,837 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 535 births against 691 deaths, with net migration of 199. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Russell County?
$51,197. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $165,700, which is 3.2 times income, and median gross rent is $939 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Russell County?
850 establishments, employing 11,055 people with an annual payroll of $483.0 m. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Russell County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 2,646 jobs, 18.8 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 14,057 jobs at an average annual pay of $47,497, or $913 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Russell County?
18 7(a) approvals totaling $16.1 m since FY2020, across 14 lenders, with a median approval of $624,550, plus 4 504 approvals worth $3.4 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Russell County?
183 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $51.5 m. Multifamily was 6.6 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Russell County?
Zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Russell County come from?
The largest single origin is Muscogee County, with 616 households. Arriving households report an average income of $41,983 against $46,047 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Russell County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Russell County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Russell County
Cities and places in Russell.
3 Census places lie wholly or partly in Russell County. All 3 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phenix City | city | 38,499 | 16 | 85.7 percent here, 14.3 percent Lee County |
| Ladonia | CDP | 3,346 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Hurtsboro | town | 421 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 2 of the county's 18 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Russell County, the largest being Lafayette (1), Seale (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.