Rainsville ZIP Codes — De Kalb County, AL

There is one unique ZIP code in Rainsville, Alabama and it is 35986. Area code: 256.

ZIP codes

43.07

sq mi land

0.02

sq mi water

256

area code

Rainsville, AL ZIP code map

About Rainsville, AL

Rainsville, Alabama, is a charming city nestled in De Kalb County that epitomizes southern hospitality. With its close-knit community and scenic landscapes, Rainsville offers both tranquility and warmth to its residents and visitors alike. This small city is known for its welcoming spirit and rich local culture, making it a hidden gem in the northeastern part of Alabama.

Location & geography

Rainsville is located in northeastern Alabama, surrounded by picturesque landscapes and rolling hills. The city is approximately 12 miles from Fort Payne, 16 miles from Sylvania, and about 30 miles from the lively city of Gadsden. It encompasses a total land area of 43.07 square miles, with a minor water area of 0.02 square miles, indicating a predominantly land-rich environment perfect for various outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The community in Rainsville is characterized by its friendly residents and strong sense of local pride. The economy is supported by industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and retail, providing various job opportunities for the locals. Daily life in Rainsville revolves around community events, family gatherings, and enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

Transportation

Rainsville is conveniently accessible via U.S. Highway 75, which connects it to nearby towns and cities. The nearest major airport is the Northeast Alabama Regional Airport, located about 20 miles away, providing essential air travel services. Public transportation options may be limited, but the city's layout makes it easy to navigate by car.

History

Rainsville was founded in the late 19th century and has developed steadily over the years, primarily driven by agriculture and local commerce. The city has witnessed significant growth and development, especially in the manufacturing sector, which has contributed to its economy. Notable events in Rainsville's history include the establishment of its first schools and churches, which played a vital role in shaping the community's identity.

Did you know?

A surprising little-known fact about Rainsville is that it hosts an annual festival that celebrates the local culture and community spirit. This festival often brings together residents and visitors for food, music, and various activities that showcase the charm of this small city.

ZIP codes for Rainsville, AL (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
35986	Rainsville	De Kalb	View map

Demographics & statistics

8,415

Population

42.7

Median age

$60,755

Median household income

$26,692

Per capita income

$192,400

Median home value

$646

Median monthly rent

80.8%

Home ownership

15.8%

Poverty rate

1.6%

Unemployment

2,933

Housing units

21.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

295

Under 5

250

301

5–9

254

253

10–14

213

331

15–19

280

334

20–24

282

475

25–34

401

465

35–44

393

554

45–54

469

360

55–59

305

377

60–64

319

644

65–74

545

137

75–84

115

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,048	24.3%
18 and over	6,367	75.7%
65 and over	1,504	17.9%
Median age	42.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 77%

Hispanic or Latino 7.9%

Two or more races 6.9%

Other race 6.4%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.1%

Black or African American 0.7%

Group	Count	%
White	7,037	77%
Hispanic or Latino	724	7.9%
Two or more races	628	6.9%
Other race	589	6.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	97	1.1%
Black or African American	64	0.7%

Household income

Under $10k 4.3%

$10k–$15k 10.4%

$15k–$25k 8.1%

$25k–$35k 11.0%

$35k–$50k 8.1%

$50k–$75k 15.2%

$75k–$100k 18.0%

$100k–$150k 17.9%

$150k–$200k 6.0%

$200k+ 1.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.3%
$10k–$15k	10.4%
$15k–$25k	8.1%
$25k–$35k	11.0%
$35k–$50k	8.1%
$50k–$75k	15.2%
$75k–$100k	18.0%
$100k–$150k	17.9%
$150k–$200k	6.0%
$200k+	1.0%
Median income	$60,755

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 5.4%

$50k–$100k 13.9%

$100k–$150k 14.4%

$150k–$200k 20.1%

$200k–$300k 22.8%

$300k–$500k 19.8%

$500k–$1M 3.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$192,400
Median rent / month	$646
Owner occupied	80.8%
Renter occupied	19.2%
Vacant	12.7%
Single-family detached	76.8%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	12.1%
Median rooms	6.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.74

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.6%
2010–2019	6.2%
2000–2009	26.3%
1990–1999	18.8%
1980–1989	16.9%
1970–1979	12.7%
1960–1969	12.9%
1950–1959	3.2%
1940–1949	0.0%
1939 or earlier	2.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.8%
1 bedroom	2.4%
2 bedrooms	22.2%
3 bedrooms	56.0%
4 bedrooms	15.2%
5+ bedrooms	3.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.5%
1 vehicle	18.3%
2 vehicles	37.6%
3 or more	38.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	18.3%
Electricity	73.7%
Propane / LP gas	5.2%
Wood	0.7%
No fuel used	0.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,075	67.4%
Cohabiting couple	86	2.8%
Male householder, no spouse	315	10.2%
Female householder, no spouse	601	19.5%
Households with children under 18	844	27.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,019	33.1%
Average household size	2.73

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	26.5%	16.9%
Married	59.8%	62.7%
Separated	3.8%	1.6%
Widowed	3.0%	8.2%
Divorced	7.0%	10.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 10.5%

Some HS, no diploma 5.6%

HS graduate 28.0%

Some college, no degree 24.0%

Associate's degree 10.2%

Bachelor's degree 14.6%

Graduate / professional 7.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	83.8%
Bachelor's or higher	21.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	59	3.1%
Kindergarten	194	10.2%
Elementary school	757	39.8%
High school	558	29.3%
College / grad school	335	17.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.8%

Manufacturing 22.8%

Information 10.1%

Construction 9.0%

Professional & management 7.5%

Retail trade 6.0%

Finance & real estate 5.3%

Transportation & utilities 4.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 3.7%

Other services 3.3%

Public administration 2.3%

Wholesale trade 1.0%

Agriculture & mining 0.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	37.2%
Service	9.3%
Sales & office	15.8%
Natural resources & construction	12.0%
Production & transportation	25.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	83.4%
Government	12.8%
Self-employed	3.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	88.0%
Carpool	7.8%
Public transit	0.8%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.5

Poverty

All people 15.8%

Under 18 years 31.8%

18 and over 10.8%

Married-couple families 4.9%

Female-led households 28.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	35.1%
Retirement income	23.1%
Supplemental Security	8.2%
Cash public assistance	0.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	16.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	41.7%
High cholesterol	37.8%
Heart disease	8.6%
Stroke	4.2%
Asthma	10.4%
Arthritis	35.2%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	11.6%
Cancer	6.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.7%
No physical activity	31.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	36.5%
Fair or poor health	22.9%
Poor mental health	18.2%
Poor physical health	14.7%
No health insurance	18.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	71.8%
Visited dentist	54.1%
Cholesterol screening	88.2%
Teeth loss	21.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	321	5.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.6%
Under 18	4.3%
18–64 years	13.2%
65 and over	33.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	68.7%
Public insurance	40.0%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	7,870	93.5%
Spanish	257	3.3%
Other Indo-European	257	3.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	8,120	96.5%
Born in same state	8,102	96.3%
Born in different state	6,407	76.1%
Foreign born	18	0.2%
Naturalized citizen	295	3.5%
Not a US citizen	15	5.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	1,197	14.2%
Arab	1,103	13.1%
Italian	736	8.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	76	0.9%
Polish	48	0.6%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	36.6%
Internet access	93.6%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Rainsville, AL have?

Rainsville, AL has one ZIP code: 35986. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.