Fort Payne ZIP Codes — De Kalb County, AL

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in Fort Payne, Alabama. Area code: 256.

ZIP codes

190.60

sq mi land

0.49

sq mi water

256

area code

Fort Payne, AL ZIP code map

About Fort Payne, AL

Fort Payne is a vibrant city located in the northeastern part of Alabama. Known for its rich history and welcoming community, it serves as the county seat of De Kalb County. The city is a beautiful blend of natural landscapes and a small-town atmosphere that residents and visitors alike enjoy.

Location & geography

Fort Payne encompasses a land area of 190.60 square miles and features a water area of 0.49 square miles. It is situated near several cities, including Scottsboro, approximately 22 miles to the northwest, and Rainsville, which is about 10 miles to the south. The terrain includes rolling hills and lush vegetation, providing scenic views and outdoor recreational opportunities.

Community & economy

The community of Fort Payne is characterized by its friendly residents and a strong sense of pride in local heritage. Primary industries in the area include textile manufacturing and agriculture, contributing to the city's economic framework. Daily life often revolves around local events, outdoor activities, and the area's rich musical culture, notably associated with bluegrass and country music.

Transportation

Fort Payne is accessible via major highways, including U.S. Route 11 and U.S. Route 27, which facilitate travel to surrounding areas. The nearest commercial airport is in Huntsville, approximately 50 miles away, while local transportation options may include taxi services and personal vehicles for enjoying the scenic routes around town.

History

Fort Payne was founded in the early 19th century, originally established as a military outpost due to its strategic location. The city became known for its textile industry, particularly in the late 20th century, which significantly contributed to the local economy. Notable events in Fort Payne's history include its development as a vital center for the country's textile production.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Fort Payne is that it is home to the Alabama Fan Club and Museum, dedicated to the famous country music group Alabama. Additionally, the city hosts the annual Rainsville Rodeo, drawing visitors from across the region.

ZIP codes for Fort Payne, AL (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
35967	Fort Payne	De Kalb	View map
35968	Fort Payne	De Kalb	View map

Demographics & statistics

22,127

Population

39.6

Median age

$47,648

Median household income

$25,513

Per capita income

$127,750

Median home value

$684

Median monthly rent

73.1%

Home ownership

20.0%

Poverty rate

4.4%

Unemployment

7,304

Housing units

16.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

622

Under 5

696

587

5–9

655

1,068

10–14

1,194

518

15–19

578

710

20–24

793

1,093

25–34

1,222

1,263

35–44

1,412

1,271

45–54

1,420

616

55–59

689

782

60–64

873

1,116

65–74

1,246

648

75–84

723

157

85+

175

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	5,414	23.8%
18 and over	16,713	76.3%
65 and over	4,065	18.0%
Median age	39.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 73.4%

Hispanic or Latino 10.6%

Other race 8.7%

Two or more races 3.4%

Black or African American 2.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.3%

Asian 0.2%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	18,164	73.4%
Hispanic or Latino	2,626	10.6%
Other race	2,159	8.7%
Two or more races	852	3.4%
Black or African American	563	2.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	331	1.3%
Asian	38	0.2%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	20	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 6.8%

$10k–$15k 5.1%

$15k–$25k 15.3%

$25k–$35k 12.0%

$35k–$50k 13.4%

$50k–$75k 17.5%

$75k–$100k 12.6%

$100k–$150k 11.6%

$150k–$200k 3.1%

$200k+ 2.9%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.8%
$10k–$15k	5.1%
$15k–$25k	15.3%
$25k–$35k	12.0%
$35k–$50k	13.4%
$50k–$75k	17.5%
$75k–$100k	12.6%
$100k–$150k	11.6%
$150k–$200k	3.1%
$200k+	2.9%
Median income	$47,648

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 15.3%

$50k–$100k 21.3%

$100k–$150k 22.6%

$150k–$200k 12.9%

$200k–$300k 18.9%

$300k–$500k 7.7%

$500k–$1M 1.2%

$1M+ 0.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$127,750
Median rent / month	$684
Owner occupied	73.1%
Renter occupied	27.0%
Vacant	14.6%
Single-family detached	70.0%
Large apartment buildings	0.8%
Mobile homes	20.8%
Median rooms	5.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.75

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.8%
2010–2019	5.4%
2000–2009	14.6%
1990–1999	14.7%
1980–1989	17.2%
1970–1979	15.8%
1960–1969	12.4%
1950–1959	8.2%
1940–1949	5.5%
1939 or earlier	5.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.3%
1 bedroom	3.7%
2 bedrooms	31.7%
3 bedrooms	50.4%
4 bedrooms	11.3%
5+ bedrooms	2.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.9%
1 vehicle	27.1%
2 vehicles	44.0%
3 or more	25.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	13.6%
Electricity	71.9%
Propane / LP gas	12.5%
Fuel oil	0.1%
Wood	1.3%
No fuel used	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	4,166	53.5%
Cohabiting couple	365	3.8%
Male householder, no spouse	1,311	14.7%
Female householder, no spouse	2,531	28.1%
Households with children under 18	2,599	33.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,752	33.1%
Average household size	2.66

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	25.4%	23.2%
Married	58.3%	51.4%
Separated	3.1%	3.0%
Widowed	2.4%	11.3%
Divorced	10.9%	11.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 13.1%

Some HS, no diploma 8.3%

HS graduate 32.3%

Some college, no degree 17.5%

Associate's degree 12.8%

Bachelor's degree 8.5%

Graduate / professional 7.4%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	78.6%
Bachelor's or higher	16.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	278	3.8%
Kindergarten	179	3.2%
Elementary school	3,001	57.6%
High school	963	19.1%
College / grad school	816	16.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 20.2%

Education & healthcare 20.0%

Retail trade 11.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.4%

Other services 8.1%

Construction 8.0%

Professional & management 5.4%

Transportation & utilities 5.4%

Agriculture & mining 4.1%

Public administration 3.8%

Finance & real estate 3.4%

Information 1.0%

Wholesale trade 0.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	29.8%
Service	17.8%
Sales & office	18.6%
Natural resources & construction	14.7%
Production & transportation	19.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.5%
Government	12.4%
Self-employed	10.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	81.6%
Carpool	12.5%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	1.1%
Other means	0.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	23.6

Poverty

All people 20.0%

Under 18 years 32.9%

18 and over 15.9%

Married-couple families 9.1%

Female-led households 30.4%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	38.4%
Retirement income	19.4%
Supplemental Security	6.7%
Cash public assistance	2.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	16.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	41.4%
High cholesterol	37.7%
Heart disease	8.4%
Stroke	4.2%
Asthma	10.3%
Arthritis	34.3%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	11.3%
Cancer	6.8%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.7%
No physical activity	32.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	36.5%
Fair or poor health	23.5%
Poor mental health	17.8%
Poor physical health	14.6%
No health insurance	20.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	71.6%
Visited dentist	53.5%
Cholesterol screening	88.0%
Teeth loss	21.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	902	5.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	13.8%
Under 18	4.2%
18–64 years	11.7%
65 and over	33.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	57.8%
Public insurance	41.3%
Uninsured under 19	4.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	20,809	94.9%
Spanish	1,515	7.2%
Other Indo-European	1,484	7.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	31	0.1%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	20,429	91.9%
Born in same state	20,415	91.8%
Born in different state	14,835	65.5%
Foreign born	14	0.2%
Naturalized citizen	1,698	8.1%
Not a US citizen	305	13.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	2,927	13.2%
French	2,246	10.2%
Italian	1,658	7.5%
English	114	0.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	58	0.3%
Irish	20	0.1%
German	7	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	36.4%
Internet access	88.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Fort Payne, AL have?

Fort Payne, AL has two ZIP codes: 35967 and 35968. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.