The Town FilesDunnavant, Alabama
Community in Shelby County · population 936 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $193,100
- Household income
- $75,323
- Jan low / Jul high
- 35° / 91°
- Snow a year
- 0 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 26
- Median age
- 52.6
Dunnavant is a community of 936 people in Shelby County, Alabama. The median home is worth $193,100, above the typical Alabama town ($161,250). It ranks better for retirees than 97% of Alabama towns, quieter than 95% of Alabama towns, better for families than 76% of Alabama towns.
- #3 in The 25 Best Affordable Small Towns for Remote Workers in Alabama
- #12 in The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Alabama
- #13 in The 21 Best Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Alabama With Mild Winters
- #14 in The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Alabama
- #19 in The 25 Best Small Towns for Young Families in Alabama
- #20 in The 25 Quietest Small Towns in Alabama
How Dunnavant ranks
Percentile among Alabama towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Alabama towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Dunnavant is worth $193,100, above the typical Alabama town ($161,250). Homes cost about 2.6 times the median household income of $75,323, which is more affordable than 69% of Alabama towns. 75.5% of households own their home.
| Housing | Dunnavant | Typical Alabama town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $193,100 | $161,250 |
| Median rent | — | $834 |
| Median household income | $75,323 | $56,250 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.6× | 2.8× |
| Homeownership | 75.5% | 71.3% |
| Median year built | 1984 | 1981 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.0% | — |
Who lives in Dunnavant
| People | Dunnavant | Typical Alabama town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 52.6 | 39.9 |
| Age 65 and over | 26.4% | 18.1% |
| Under 18 | 13.8% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 17.3% |
| Below the poverty line | 20.5% | 16.7% |
| Veterans | 0.4% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 0.0% | — |
| Work from home | 28.7% | 5.1% |
| Average commute | 33.1 min | 26.1 min |
| Homes with broadband | 99.1% | 86.7% |
Weather in Dunnavant
July highs average 91.0°F and January lows 34.9°F. About 56.6 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 0.0 inches of snow (typical Alabama town: 0.6 in). Expect about 65 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 47 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
26 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Dunnavant since 1950, compared with 30 for the typical Alabama town. 5 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF3, struck on March 25, 2021 about 2.5 miles from the town center. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 7 deaths and 90 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on February 26, 2026.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 31 times; the largest was 3.00 inches on March 21, 1959.
Severe weather in Shelby County since 1996
Shelby County has been included in 26 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for fire, flood, drought.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| September 26, 2024 | Hurricane | EM-3618: Hurricane Helene |
| December 21, 2021 | Severe Storm | DR-4632: Severe Storms And Flooding |
| April 26, 2021 | Severe Storm | DR-4596: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And Tornadoes |
| September 14, 2020 | Hurricane | EM-3545: Hurricane Sally |
| March 29, 2020 | Biological | DR-4503: Covid-19 Pandemic |
Jobs and pay in Shelby County
Shelby County had 85,169 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $66,772 a year. Unemployment was 1.8% in 2023; in Dunnavant itself the ACS puts it at 0%.
Towns near Dunnavant
- Vandiver, AL2.6 mi · 1,084 people · home $104,600
- Leeds, AL4.0 mi · 12,324 people · home $224,600
- Sterrett, AL5.9 mi · 706 people · home —
- Shoal Creek, AL6.0 mi · 1,668 people · home $762,500
- Irondale, AL7.5 mi · 13,497 people · home $255,800
- Moody, AL7.9 mi · 13,170 people · home $237,500
- Westover, AL8.8 mi · 1,766 people · home $297,400
- Highland Lakes, AL9.2 mi · 5,239 people · home $599,200
Dunnavant questions
Is Dunnavant, Alabama a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Dunnavant scores better for retirees than 97% of Alabama towns and quieter than 95%. 26.4% of residents are 65 or older (median age 52.6).
How much does a house cost in Dunnavant?
The median owner-occupied home in Dunnavant is valued at $193,100 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $75,323, so homes cost about 2.6 times income. Median rent is — a month.
What is the weather like in Dunnavant?
July highs average 91.0°F and January lows 34.9°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 56.6 inches of precipitation a year and 0.0 inches of snow.
Does Dunnavant get tornadoes?
26 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Dunnavant since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF3 on March 25, 2021. The typical Alabama town has had 30.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)