Mobile, AL · standard
ZIP Code 36609
Mobile County, Alabama - Census ACS demographics, housing tenure, and business patterns, benchmarked against every US ZIP.
- 25,846
- 1,417/sq mi High-density area
- $49,830
- Median income Below-median income area
- $205,300
- Median home value Near-median home value
- 34.5%
- Bachelor's or higher Above-average bachelor's attainment
National ZIP placement
Mobile pairs one of the lowest household incomes in the country with below-median home values, in a low-density, mixed-tenure area.
- 14th pct
- household income, US ZIPs
- 45th pct
- home value, US ZIPs
- 1,417
- people per sq mi
- 46%
- owner-occupied homes
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023). Percentiles rank ZIP 36609 against every reporting US ZIP.
FHFA HPI release change
What changed in the latest House Price Index year
- FHFA House Price Index values in ZIP 36609 (Mobile, AL) rose +9.6% from 2023 to 2024. The all-transactions index moved from 191.4 in 2023 to 209.8 in 2024 (2000 = 100).
ZIP code 36609 is a densely settled ZIP (a standard USPS delivery area) in Mobile, Mobile County, Alabama, with 25,846 residents across 18.2 square miles, a density of 1,417 people per square mile, in the Chicago time zone.
ZIP 36609 reports a modest median household income of $49,830 (18% below the average Alabama ZIP), while per-capita income is $34,729. The poverty rate is 17.6%, with unemployment at 3.8%; those measures add context to the income figure. Housing costs run above the statewide ZIP benchmark while renting is common: median home value is $205,300 (16% above the average Alabama ZIP), with only 46.0% owner-occupied homes and median rent of $1,087.
A solid share of residents have a four-year degree: 34.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, the median age is 35.3, and the average commute is 24 minutes. The page also surfaces 10 ZIP codes within roughly 10 miles and 6 more in Mobile County, so 36609 can be compared with both its immediate and county-level context.
Every figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (including median rent) and the FHFA House Price Index, no estimates, no proprietary scoring. Verify with Census →
Top industries in ZIP 36609
Top 5 sectors by establishment count in Mobile, AL
Which industries have the most business establishments in ZIP 36609.
- Health care and social assistance
Health care and social assistance
121 establishments
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
Professional, scientific, and technical services
103 establishments
- Finance and insurance
Finance and insurance
94 establishments
- Retail trade
Retail trade
81 establishments
- Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services
Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services
54 establishments
What this shows Establishment counts come from the Census ZIP Code Business Patterns program, which counts physical business locations rather than employees or revenue.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates + ZIP Code Business Patterns + FHFA HPI ACS demographics and median rent, ZBP business establishments, FHFA HPI for ZIP 36609, Mobile, AL · 2023 Census ACS 5-Year Estimates use a rolling 60-month sample for stable small-geography estimates; ZBP updated annually; FHFA HPI updated quarterly/annually.
Quick Facts
25,846
Population
18.2
Area (sq mi)
1,417
People / sq mi
Chicago
Time Zone
standard
ZIP Type
Who lives in ZIP 36609?
35.3
Median Age
44.8%
Male
55.2%
Female
6.4%
Foreign-Born
Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity category from the Census Bureau and may overlap with other categories above.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
How much do residents earn?
$49,830
Median Household Income
-18% vs state ZIP avg
$34,729
Per Capita Income
17.6%
Poverty Rate
3.8%
Unemployment Rate
23.8 min
Mean Commute Time
How ZIP 36609 ranks among Alabama ZIPs
Mobile, AL household income vs. every Alabama ZIP code
Median household income among 587 reporting Alabama ZIPs (this ZIP's population is too small for a reliable national-corpus placement)
$49,830 33rd percentile higher than 33% of 587 Alabama ZIPs
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more Alabama ZIPs. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2019–2023
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
What is the education profile here?
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
What does housing look like?
Housing stock: occupied vs vacant
12,734housing units
12,734
Total Housing Units
11,115
Occupied Units
1,619
Vacant Units
2.14
Avg Household Size
Occupancy Type
$205,300
Median Home Value
+16% vs state ZIP avg
$1,087
Median Rent
1981
Median Year Built
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
How have home values changed over time?
FHFA House Price Index, annual appreciation data based on repeat sales and appraisals
+9.6%
YoY Change (2024)
210
HPI Index (2000 = 100)
+110%
Total Change Since 2000
Home values in ZIP 36609 have increased 9.6% over the past year (2024). Since 2000, this ZIP has seen +110% cumulative appreciation.
| Year | Annual Change | HPI Index |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | +4.4% | 145 |
| 2021 | +16.4% | 168 |
| 2022 | +14.0% | 192 |
| 2023 | -0.4% | 191 |
| 2024 | +9.6% | 210 |
Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index, All-Transactions, Five-Digit ZIP Codes (Developmental Index). Index base = 100 in year 2000. Data through 2024. ZIP codes with few transactions may show missing values.
What businesses operate in this ZIP?
Census Bureau data shows 706 business establishments in ZIP 36609, employing approximately 9,506 people with a combined annual payroll of $444,091,000.
706
Businesses
9,506
Employees
$444.1M
Annual Payroll
16
Industry Sectors
| Industry | Establishments | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 121 | 17.1% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 103 | 14.6% |
| Finance and insurance | 94 | 13.3% |
| Retail trade | 81 | 11.5% |
| Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services | 54 | 7.7% |
| Accommodation and food services | 52 | 7.4% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 48 | 6.8% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 41 | 5.8% |
| Wholesale trade | 29 | 4.1% |
| Construction | 27 | 3.8% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 13 | 1.8% |
| Information | 12 | 1.7% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 10 | 1.4% |
| Educational services | 10 | 1.4% |
| Manufacturing | 5 | 0.7% |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 5 | 0.7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ZIP Code Business Patterns (ZBP), 2023. Employment figures may include noise for disclosure avoidance.
Nearby ZIP Codes
Want a side-by-side? Compare 36609 vs 36693 →
ZIP 36609 vs its nearest neighbors, by population
Resident population of this ZIP and the closest reporting ZIP codes within ~10 miles.
- 36605
Mobile (36605)
30,111 residents
- 36609
Mobile (36609)
25,846 residents
- 36606
Mobile (36606)
18,733 residents
- 36693
Mobile (36693)
17,847 residents
- 36618
Mobile (36618)
16,737 residents
- 36619
Mobile (36619)
14,269 residents
- 36617
Mobile (36617)
13,967 residents
- 36604 10,456
Mobile (36604)
10,456 residents
- 36607 6,852
Mobile (36607)
6,852 residents
What this shows Among its immediate neighbors, ZIP 36609 ranks #2 by population - useful context the national average alone can't give.
ZIP 36609 vs its nearest neighbors, by median income
Median household income of this ZIP and the closest reporting ZIP codes within ~10 miles.
- 36693
Mobile (36693)
$68,933 median income
- 36604
Mobile (36604)
$66,357 median income
- 36619
Mobile (36619)
$64,755 median income
- 36618
Mobile (36618)
$61,550 median income
- 36606
Mobile (36606)
$51,303 median income
- 36609
Mobile (36609)
$49,830 median income
- 36605
Mobile (36605)
$43,538 median income
- 36607
Mobile (36607)
$42,772 median income
- 36617
Mobile (36617)
$40,900 median income
What this shows By household income, ZIP 36609 ranks #6 of 9 neighboring ZIPs, local affluence varies block to block, not just metro to metro.
| ZIP Code | City | Population | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36693 | Mobile, AL | 17,847 | 2.5 mi |
| 36688 | Mobile, AL | 659 | 2.7 mi |
| 36606 | Mobile, AL | 18,733 | 3.5 mi |
| 36618 | Mobile, AL | 16,737 | 5.2 mi |
| 36607 | Mobile, AL | 6,852 | 4.3 mi |
| 36619 | Mobile, AL | 14,269 | 4.9 mi |
| 36604 | Mobile, AL | 10,456 | 5.8 mi |
| 36615 | Mobile, AL | 391 | 6.0 mi |
| 36617 | Mobile, AL | 13,967 | 5.5 mi |
| 36605 | Mobile, AL | 30,111 | 5.7 mi |
Nationwide ZIPs with similar ACS profiles
Two Census-derived peer sets for ZIP 36609, both outside AL so the neighborhoods are not geographic containment (Nearby and same-county blocks stay local).
Similar population
Nearest cross-state ZIPs by resident population (25,846 here; floor ≥1,000).
Similar median household income
Nearest cross-state ZIPs by ACS median household income.
More ZIP Codes in Mobile County
Related Areas
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is ZIP code 36609 in?
ZIP code 36609 (Mobile) is located in Mobile County, Alabama. Mobile County contains multiple ZIP codes, see the full list at /counties/mobile-al.
What is the population of ZIP code 36609?
ZIP code 36609 in Mobile, AL has a population of 25,846 according to the Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.
What is the median household income in ZIP 36609?
The median household income in ZIP 36609 is $49,830, which is 35% below the national average of $76,288.
What is the average home value in ZIP 36609?
The median home value in ZIP 36609 is $205,300, which is 26% below the national average of $278,155.
What is the demographic makeup of ZIP 36609?
The largest racial group in ZIP 36609 is African American at 45.9%. Hispanic or Latino residents make up 3.5% of the population.
How many businesses are in ZIP code 36609?
ZIP code 36609 has 706 business establishments employing approximately 9,506 people, according to Census Bureau ZIP Code Business Patterns (ZBP) 2023 data.
What are the main industries in ZIP code 36609?
The top industries by establishment count in ZIP 36609 are: Health care and social assistance (121), Professional, scientific, and technical services (103), Finance and insurance (94). There are 16 industry sectors represented in total.
How have home values changed in ZIP code 36609?
According to the FHFA House Price Index, home values in ZIP 36609 increased by 9.6% in 2024. Since 2000, home values in this ZIP have appreciated by approximately 110%. This is a developmental index based on repeat sales and appraisal data from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
What is the education level in ZIP code 36609?
In ZIP code 36609, 63.0% of residents aged 25+ have a high school diploma or higher, and 34.5% hold a bachelor's degree or higher. These figures come from the Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023).
What is the average commute time in ZIP 36609?
The mean commute time for workers in ZIP code 36609 is 23.8 minutes according to Census ACS data. The national average is roughly 26 minutes, so commuters here spend less time traveling to work than typical.
What percentage of residents own vs. rent in ZIP 36609?
In ZIP code 36609, approximately 46.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied and 54.0% are renter-occupied, based on Census ACS 2023 data.
What is the poverty rate in ZIP code 36609?
The poverty rate in ZIP code 36609 is 17.6% according to Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. This measures the percentage of the population living below the federal poverty threshold.
Related
Take this with you
What to do with ZIP 36609's numbers, next.
- See how ZIP 36609 compares to a neighboring ZIP code on the same Census fields Compare this ZIP
- Check where Mobile, AL ranks among every U.S. ZIP code on income, education, or homeownership View national rankings
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ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) are Census Bureau approximations of USPS ZIP codes; figures describe the ZCTA area, not any single address within it.