Leighton ZIP Codes — Colbert County, AL

There is one unique ZIP code in Leighton, Alabama and it is 35646. Area code: 256.

ZIP codes

90.38

sq mi land

0.34

sq mi water

256

area code

Leighton, AL ZIP code map

About Leighton, AL

Leighton is a small city located in Colbert County, Alabama. Known for its quiet charm and friendly community, it offers a glimpse into the peaceful lifestyle of rural Alabama. With a ZIP code of 35646, Leighton is a wonderful place for those seeking a close-knit atmosphere.

Location & geography

Leighton is situated in the northwest region of Alabama, making it part of the picturesque Tennessee Valley. Nearby cities include Muscle Shoals, located approximately 15 miles to the southwest, Sheffield, about 16 miles to the south, Tuscumbia, roughly 17 miles to the south, and Florence, which is around 22 miles to the southwest. The city covers a land area of 90.38 square miles, with a small water area of 0.34 square miles.

Community & economy

The character of Leighton is deeply rooted in its agricultural background and community-oriented lifestyle. Many residents are engaged in local industries, primarily agriculture and small businesses, which contribute to the town's economy. Daily life in Leighton revolves around family gatherings, community events, and enjoying the beautiful outdoors.

Transportation

Leighton is accessible via several highways, including U.S. Route 72, which connects it to neighboring towns and larger cities. The nearest major airport is Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, located approximately 15 miles away in Muscle Shoals, providing regional flight options. Public transportation options are limited, so residents often rely on personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Leighton was founded in the late 19th century and has a rich history tied to agriculture and commerce in the region. Over the years, it has seen several key industries, with agriculture playing a central role in its development. The city's growth was fueled by its strategic location along trade routes in northern Alabama.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Leighton is that it is home to a significant portion of the historic Alabama & Tennessee River Railway. Despite its small size, the city hosts local events that celebrate its cultural heritage and community spirit.

ZIP codes for Leighton, AL (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
35646	Leighton	Colbert	View map

Demographics & statistics

4,038

Population

54.6

Median age

$54,837

Median household income

$33,565

Per capita income

$109,900

Median home value

$661

Median monthly rent

84.4%

Home ownership

12.9%

Poverty rate

2.3%

Unemployment

1,920

Housing units

7.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

136

15–19

130

20–24

153

25–34

146

209

35–44

198

271

45–54

257

346

55–59

328

135

60–64

129

367

65–74

348

147

75–84

139

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	521	12.9%
18 and over	3,517	87.1%
65 and over	1,054	26.1%
Median age	54.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 68.4%

Black or African American 28.2%

Two or more races 2.1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.6%

Hispanic or Latino 0.4%

Other race 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	2,773	68.4%
Black or African American	1,142	28.2%
Two or more races	84	2.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	24	0.6%
Hispanic or Latino	15	0.4%
Other race	15	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 6.9%

$10k–$15k 6.0%

$15k–$25k 10.4%

$25k–$35k 11.6%

$35k–$50k 12.9%

$50k–$75k 17.9%

$75k–$100k 10.0%

$100k–$150k 13.2%

$150k–$200k 9.9%

$200k+ 1.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.9%
$10k–$15k	6.0%
$15k–$25k	10.4%
$25k–$35k	11.6%
$35k–$50k	12.9%
$50k–$75k	17.9%
$75k–$100k	10.0%
$100k–$150k	13.2%
$150k–$200k	9.9%
$200k+	1.3%
Median income	$54,837

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 11.1%

$50k–$100k 34.7%

$100k–$150k 19.0%

$150k–$200k 8.1%

$200k–$300k 18.7%

$300k–$500k 5.8%

$500k–$1M 1.7%

$1M+ 1.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$109,900
Median rent / month	$661
Owner occupied	84.4%
Renter occupied	15.6%
Vacant	21.4%
Single-family detached	74.8%
Large apartment buildings	2.1%
Mobile homes	17.9%
Median rooms	6.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.31

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.1%
2010–2019	3.5%
2000–2009	20.8%
1990–1999	18.6%
1980–1989	6.2%
1970–1979	21.8%
1960–1969	10.6%
1950–1959	6.9%
1940–1949	3.7%
1939 or earlier	7.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.5%
1 bedroom	5.7%
2 bedrooms	22.6%
3 bedrooms	59.8%
4 bedrooms	10.8%
5+ bedrooms	0.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	1.8%
1 vehicle	31.1%
2 vehicles	41.2%
3 or more	25.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	8.6%
Electricity	60.8%
Propane / LP gas	28.2%
Wood	1.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	926	53.9%
Cohabiting couple	130	7.6%
Male householder, no spouse	339	19.7%
Female householder, no spouse	324	18.8%
Households with children under 18	316	18.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	766	44.6%
Average household size	2.35

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	26.0%	20.3%
Married	46.9%	54.3%
Separated	9.7%	0.7%
Widowed	3.0%	9.2%
Divorced	14.5%	15.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.2%

Some HS, no diploma 16.2%

HS graduate 45.8%

Some college, no degree 18.0%

Associate's degree 6.9%

Bachelor's degree 3.7%

Graduate / professional 4.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	78.6%
Bachelor's or higher	7.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	11	2.2%
Kindergarten	9	1.8%
Elementary school	272	53.2%
High school	185	36.2%
College / grad school	34	6.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 16.1%

Education & healthcare 16.1%

Public administration 14.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 13.3%

Construction 9.6%

Other services 5.4%

Professional & management 5.2%

Transportation & utilities 5.1%

Retail trade 4.4%

Finance & real estate 3.5%

Wholesale trade 2.8%

Information 2.2%

Agriculture & mining 1.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	32.7%
Service	17.3%
Sales & office	13.5%
Natural resources & construction	16.2%
Production & transportation	20.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	62.5%
Government	24.8%
Self-employed	12.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.4%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	79.5%
Carpool	18.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.4%
Other means	0.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	29.2

Poverty

All people 12.9%

Under 18 years 15.3%

18 and over 12.6%

Married-couple families 7.8%

Female-led households 35.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	49.6%
Retirement income	33.0%
Supplemental Security	6.4%
Cash public assistance	0.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	17.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	45.0%
High cholesterol	35.0%
Heart disease	8.2%
Stroke	4.2%
Asthma	10.3%
Arthritis	34.3%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	9.9%
Cancer	7.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.2%
No physical activity	32.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	37.8%
Fair or poor health	21.8%
Poor mental health	16.7%
Poor physical health	13.3%
No health insurance	17.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.0%
Visited dentist	56.2%
Cholesterol screening	90.4%
Teeth loss	18.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	265	7.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	21.3%
Under 18	3.5%
18–64 years	19.6%
65 and over	34.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	64.2%
Public insurance	45.5%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	3,965	98.2%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	4,038	100.0%
Born in same state	4,038	100.0%
Born in different state	3,458	85.6%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	1,211	30%
Italian	355	8.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
French	230	5.7%
English	88	2.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	42.6%
Internet access	77.8%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Leighton, AL have?

Leighton, AL has one ZIP code: 35646. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.