What are the schools like in Ariton, AL?

Ariton is served primarily by Dale County. The district operates 3 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 4 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 18.6:1.

What is the median household income in Ariton?

The median household income in Ariton, AL is $33,370 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 11.0%.

What is the weather like in Ariton, AL?

Ariton has an average high temperature of 58.1°F in January and 90.6°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 57.9 inches.

Ariton, AL Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Ariton, AL affordable or expensive?

Ariton's cost of living index is 88, where 100 represents the national average. This means Ariton is 12% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $99,400 and the median rent is $775 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Ariton, AL?

Ariton has a violent crime rate of 203.4 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1228.3 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Ariton, AL a Good Place to Live?

Ariton is a small town of 795 in Alabama, with a median household income of $33,370 and a 11.0% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 88 (US average = 100), which is 12% below the national average.

Strengths: Ariton stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Ariton is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Ariton city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 88.3

Ariton's overall cost of living index is 88.3, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Ariton costs roughly 12% less than the average American city.

Metric	Ariton, AL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$99,400	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$775	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	74.6%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$33,370	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Ariton's violent crime rate is 203.4 per 100,000 residents — 46% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

203.4 /100k

Property Crime

1228.3 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Ariton is served primarily by Dale County. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.6:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Ariton, AL	National Avg
School District	Dale County	—
Elementary Schools	3	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	4	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	18.6:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	18.2%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	84.4%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Ariton sees average highs of 58.1°F in January and 90.6°F in July, with 57.9 inches of annual precipitation .

Metric	Ariton, AL
Average High — January	58.1°F
Average High — July	90.6°F
Annual Precipitation	57.9"
Annual Snowfall	Trace / None

Demographics

Metric	Ariton, AL	National Avg
Population	795	—
Median Age	33.5	38.9
Unemployment Rate	11.0%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	25.9 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	87.5%	59.3%
Black or African American	11.6%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.9%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	27.4%	22.2%
65 and over	10.3%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Clio, AL 10 mi Brundidge, AL 10 mi Ozark, AL 11 mi Blue Springs, AL 13 mi Louisville, AL 16 mi

ZIP Codes in Ariton

Ariton, AL is covered by 1 ZIP code:

36311

Ariton vs Other Cities

Ariton, AL vs Clio, AL Ariton, AL vs Brundidge, AL Ariton, AL vs Ozark, AL Ariton, AL vs Blue Springs, AL Ariton, AL vs Louisville, AL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ariton, AL affordable or expensive?

Ariton's cost of living index is 88, where 100 is the national average. That makes Ariton roughly 12% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $99,400 and median rent is $775/month.

What is the crime rate in Ariton, AL?

Ariton's violent crime rate is 203.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1228.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Ariton?

Public schools in Ariton are operated by Dale County. The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 4 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.6:1. 18.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Ariton, AL a good place to live?

Ariton, AL has a population of 795, a median household income of $33,370, and an unemployment rate of 11.0%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Ariton?

Ariton averages 58.1°F in January and 90.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 57.9 inches . Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Ariton?

Ariton, AL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 36311.

What is the population of Ariton?

The population of Ariton, Alabama is 795 with a median age of 33.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Ariton?

Key numbers for living in Ariton: cost of living index 88 (100 = US average), median home $99,400, median household income $33,370, crime index 56 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Ariton side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.