Gulf Shores ZIP Code List — Baldwin County, AL

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Area code: 251.

ZIP codes

52.26

sq mi land

22.53

sq mi water

251

area code

Gulf Shores, AL ZIP code map

About Gulf Shores, AL

Gulf Shores, Alabama, is a picturesque city located along the Gulf of Mexico, renowned for its white sandy beaches and vibrant community. As a popular tourist destination, it attracts visitors year-round with its warm climate and recreational opportunities. The city's charm is complemented by a mix of local dining, shopping, and outdoor activities such as fishing and golfing.

Location & geography

Gulf Shores is situated in Baldwin County, Alabama, and lies approximately 10 miles west of Orange Beach and 30 miles southeast of Mobile. The city's terrain includes both land and water, with a land area of 51.99 square miles and a water area of 22.53 square miles. This unique combination makes Gulf Shores an attractive spot for beachgoers and nature lovers alike.

Community & economy

The character of Gulf Shores is defined by its welcoming atmosphere and strong sense of community, making it a delightful place to live and visit. The local economy thrives on tourism, with many residents involved in hospitality, retail, and the fishing industry. Daily life in Gulf Shores often revolves around outdoor activities, social gatherings, and seasonal events that celebrate the city's coastal lifestyle.

Transportation

Gulf Shores is easily accessible via State Route 59, which runs north-south through the city and connects it to neighboring areas. The nearest major airports include Pensacola International Airport to the southwest, approximately 40 miles away, and Mobile Regional Airport to the northwest, about 50 miles from Gulf Shores. Public transit options are limited, but local taxi services and rideshare apps are available.

History

Gulf Shores was founded in the early 1900s and has grown from a quiet fishing village into a bustling coastal resort town. The city was significantly impacted by the expansion of the tourism industry in the 1960s, which brought in visitors seeking the area's natural beauty and recreation. Notable events that have shaped Gulf Shores include the development of its beach communities and the establishment of key attractions like the Gulf State Park.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Gulf Shores is that it is home to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, which features a variety of wildlife and offers interactive experiences for visitors. Additionally, Gulf Shores hosts the annual National Shrimp Festival, celebrating local seafood and culture with music, art, and culinary delights.

ZIP codes for Gulf Shores, AL (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
36542	Gulf Shores	Baldwin	View map
36547	Gulf Shores	Baldwin	View map

Demographics & statistics

17,089

Population

50.0

Median age

$63,305

Median household income

$41,979

Per capita income

$323,900

Median home value

$1,182

Median monthly rent

69.2%

Home ownership

8.0%

Poverty rate

2.1%

Unemployment

15,908

Housing units

38.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

143

Under 5

173

247

5–9

298

410

10–14

495

602

15–19

727

277

20–24

334

865

25–34

1,045

871

35–44

1,051

1,131

45–54

1,367

536

55–59

647

641

60–64

774

1,396

65–74

1,686

359

75–84

433

263

85+

318

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,524	14.8%
18 and over	14,565	85.2%
65 and over	4,455	26.1%
Median age	50.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 88.9%

Hispanic or Latino 3.2%

Two or more races 2.7%

Black or African American 2%

Other race 1.6%

Asian 1.1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.5%

Group	Count	%
White	15,705	88.9%
Hispanic or Latino	569	3.2%
Two or more races	476	2.7%
Black or African American	357	2%
Other race	281	1.6%
Asian	188	1.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	82	0.5%

Household income

Under $10k 2.2%

$10k–$15k 6.7%

$15k–$25k 3.5%

$25k–$35k 11.1%

$35k–$50k 15.6%

$50k–$75k 17.0%

$75k–$100k 14.7%

$100k–$150k 15.3%

$150k–$200k 6.8%

$200k+ 7.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.2%
$10k–$15k	6.7%
$15k–$25k	3.5%
$25k–$35k	11.1%
$35k–$50k	15.6%
$50k–$75k	17.0%
$75k–$100k	14.7%
$100k–$150k	15.3%
$150k–$200k	6.8%
$200k+	7.2%
Median income	$63,305

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.7%

$50k–$100k 0.5%

$100k–$150k 2.8%

$150k–$200k 6.8%

$200k–$300k 32.4%

$300k–$500k 31.9%

$500k–$1M 21.9%

$1M+ 0.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$323,900
Median rent / month	$1,182
Owner occupied	69.2%
Renter occupied	30.8%
Vacant	57.6%
Single-family detached	44.5%
Large apartment buildings	29.4%
Mobile homes	1.3%
Median rooms	4.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.35

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	1.7%
2010–2019	7.0%
2000–2009	34.9%
1990–1999	18.7%
1980–1989	27.0%
1970–1979	4.6%
1960–1969	4.1%
1950–1959	1.3%
1940–1949	0.1%
1939 or earlier	0.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.5%
1 bedroom	7.5%
2 bedrooms	35.5%
3 bedrooms	39.5%
4 bedrooms	10.9%
5+ bedrooms	4.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.3%
1 vehicle	43.1%
2 vehicles	38.2%
3 or more	16.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	3.2%
Electricity	95.8%
Propane / LP gas	0.9%
No fuel used	0.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	3,561	45.9%
Cohabiting couple	331	4.3%
Male householder, no spouse	1,686	21.7%
Female householder, no spouse	2,184	28.1%
Households with children under 18	1,667	21.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,022	38.9%
Average household size	2.20

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	25.0%	27.2%
Married	55.2%	45.9%
Separated	0.5%	0.6%
Widowed	2.3%	8.7%
Divorced	17.0%	17.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.7%

Some HS, no diploma 3.3%

HS graduate 22.8%

Some college, no degree 24.3%

Associate's degree 8.9%

Bachelor's degree 21.9%

Graduate / professional 17.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	95.0%
Bachelor's or higher	38.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	79	2.4%
Kindergarten	150	4.5%
Elementary school	1,110	33.5%
High school	1,044	31.5%
College / grad school	933	28.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Arts, food & hospitality 18.4%

Retail trade 16.3%

Education & healthcare 13.6%

Professional & management 13.5%

Finance & real estate 12.4%

Construction 6.6%

Public administration 4.5%

Transportation & utilities 3.8%

Other services 3.4%

Information 3.3%

Manufacturing 2.9%

Wholesale trade 0.9%

Agriculture & mining 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.6%
Service	22.3%
Sales & office	28.4%
Natural resources & construction	6.4%
Production & transportation	9.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	76.5%
Government	12.1%
Self-employed	11.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	81.3%
Carpool	5.8%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.9%
Avg commute (minutes)	20.9

Poverty

All people 8.0%

Under 18 years 4.9%

18 and over 8.5%

Married-couple families 3.8%

Female-led households 18.8%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	40.3%
Retirement income	32.1%
Supplemental Security	2.8%
Cash public assistance	0.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.4%
High cholesterol	36.0%
Heart disease	6.7%
Stroke	2.8%
Asthma	8.9%
Arthritis	30.1%
Kidney disease	2.7%
Pulmonary disease	7.1%
Cancer	7.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.5%
No physical activity	22.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.1%
Fair or poor health	14.3%
Poor mental health	15.1%
Poor physical health	10.0%
No health insurance	12.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.2%
Visited dentist	68.5%
Cholesterol screening	91.1%
Teeth loss	9.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,320	9.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	13.3%
Under 18	3.4%
18–64 years	9.0%
65 and over	28.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	71.8%
Public insurance	33.8%
Uninsured under 19	9.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	16,773	98.2%
Spanish	525	3.1%
Other Indo-European	114	0.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	242	1.4%
Other languages	169	1.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	15,956	93.4%
Born in same state	15,714	92.0%
Born in different state	6,261	36.6%
Foreign born	242	1.4%
Naturalized citizen	1,133	6.6%
Not a US citizen	498	44.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	3,755	22%
Italian	2,203	12.9%
French	2,026	11.9%
Polish	187	1.1%
English	47	0.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	44	0.3%
German	28	0.2%
Norwegian	26	0.2%
Irish	14	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	45.4%
Internet access	97.1%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Gulf Shores, AL?

Gulf Shores, AL has one ZIP code: 36542.

What is the main ZIP code for Gulf Shores, AL?

The primary ZIP code for Gulf Shores, AL is 36542. The city uses area code 251 for phone service.

What county is Gulf Shores, AL in?

Gulf Shores is located in Baldwin County, Alabama.

How many ZIP codes are in Gulf Shores, AL?

Gulf Shores, AL has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code covers the Gulf Shores downtown beachfront area and the State Park?

Both Gulf Shores' downtown beachfront district and Gulf State Park are located in ZIP code 36542, which encompasses the primary tourist and recreational areas of the city.

What is the ZIP code for properties and businesses along the Gulf Shores beaches and resort areas?

The Gulf Shores beach communities, including resort properties, vacation rentals, and beachfront businesses, are all served by ZIP code 36542.