Located in northeastern Alabama, Fort Payne in Dekalb County is known for its unique balance of rural charm and suburban character. Boasting year-round majestic views of the historic Lookout Mountain and a diverse community brimming with history and culture, it is definitely one of the must-visit places in the state.
Fort Payne, however, is more than just a tourist town. Its proximity to major highways and bigger metro areas has created a thriving scene for business and industry. The city occupies 56.41 square miles and has all the essentials to live comfortably and with the quality of life that defines some of the best neighborhoods in Alabama.
FORT PAYNE NEIGHBORHOODS
Despite being the 10th largest city in Alabama based on geographical area, Fort Payne is still considered a small town due to its population size. There are roughly 15,000 people living in the city, with only an estimated 5,500 households occupying the six neighborhoods in its domain.
These neighborhoods have often been described as quiet and affordable places to live, making them attractive prospects to people who are looking for a change of pace without sacrificing quality of life. Likewise, current residents who are hoping to move but don’t want to part with the things they love about the town can easily find more suitable Fort Payne, AL real estate listings.
Here’s a closer look at these communities.
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Pine Ridge
Most homes in Pine Ridge mirror the construction styles that are dominant in the city, though there are a number of houses built between 1940 and 1969 that showcase the trends of that era.
The median real estate price in the Pine Ridge neighborhood is higher than that of most neighborhoods in Alabama.
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Fisher Crossroads / Pumpkin Center
The real estate in this neighborhood is characterized by small- to medium-sized houses, most of which were built from the 1970s to the 1990s. The median home price is higher compared to its counterparts in other locations.
Desoto State Park is within the Fisher Crossroads / Pumpkin Center boundary. The neighborhood is also close to the Little River Canyon National Preserve, so a healthy amount of tourism goes through the area.
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Adamsburg / Dogtown
Adamsburg / Dogtown is a mostly working class neighborhood, with a majority of residents employed in the manufacturing and labor industries. This is followed closely by those in the sales and service occupations.
Real estate in the area is similar to other homes for sale in Fort Payne, AL. The median real estate price, however, is lower here than in over 50% of Alabama neighborhoods.
Car ownership among residents is quite high at 85%, which is not surprising given that Fort Payne is a driving city.
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Collbran / Douglas
Collbran / Douglas is located in the southwest portion of Fort Payne. The median price of homes is also lower than most Alabama neighborhoods. Residential sizes and styles mirror the norm of most communities in Fort Payne.
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Terrapin Hills
Terrapin Hills, located on the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, is not just the site of the Terrapin Hills Country Club. The area surrounding the private golf facility is also one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Fort Payne, AL.
Recently sold homes in this north Fort Payne subdivision included a 3,750-square-foot property with 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and a 2-car garage. Another single-family home that went off the market in Terrapin Hills had 2,059 square feet of living space with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. It featured a large yard with play structures and boasted easy access to Fort Payne schools and Interstate 95.
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Portobello
Portobello is another affluent area in Fort Payne, AL that lies close to the Terrapin Hills Country Club. Here, you’ll find homes for sale surrounded by lush vegetation, beautiful landscaping, and amazing features. A 5-bedroom, 3.5-bath single-family property on the market sits on a 1.03-acre lot. In addition to refinements like crown moldings and coffered ceilings, the property offers an in-ground heated pool as well as a pool house with its own kitchen. It’s hard to find a property this size and with so many amenities at less than seven figures, but in Portobello, Fort Payne, AL, the home is listed at less than $800,000.
Another house in the same area sold this year for just $745,000. The 4-bed, 4-bath, 2-story brick home offered views of both Fort Payne City Lake and the mountains. With 4,762 square feet of living space, the elegantly appointed home also featured a covered outdoor entertainment area w/wood burning fireplace.
Browse homes for sale in Fort Payne, AL here
WHY MOVE TO FORT PAYNE?
Apart from the natural beauty everywhere and the more laidback day-to-day life, there are other reasons that make Fort Payne communities among the best neighborhoods in Alabama.
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The cost of living in Fort Payne is 15% lower than the US average
Fort Payne’s cost of living is 15% lower than the US average, and 2% lower than the state average, according to RentCafe. This is most apparent in housing costs, which are 44% lower to buy and rent than the rest of the US, and 11% lower than Alabama’s. This means potential buyers have a higher likelihood of finding more affordable homes for sale in Fort Payne, AL and fulfilling the quintessential American dream of becoming a homeowner.
While most homes in the area are owner-occupied, a significant part of the population are renters. The median rent is also relatively lower in this part of the state.
The cost for other indicators, such as services, healthcare, transportation, and utilities, come in under the national average as well.
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Fort Payne’s school district received an A rating in 2022 and 2023
For buyers with children or thinking of starting a family, scouting the best neighborhoods in Alabama includes looking for great schools that are focused on learning, development, and achievement.
In 2022, the Fort Payne City school district received their first A Rating (equivalent to a grade of 90 out of 100) from the Alabama Department of Education, and their second A Rating in 2023. The policies and programs of the city’s school district place a strong emphasis on academic achievement and growth, and the commitment of the people who run it.
There are five public schools in the Fort Payne district, serving schooling levels from pre-kindergarten to high school.
- Wills Valley Elementary School offers kindergarten to Grade 2. The school has approximately 913 students and 67 certified teaching and administrative personnel. The public school holds a 10/10 GreatSchools rating, with students showing significant academic growth from their performance in previous years.
- Williams Avenue Elementary School serves preschool children. It has a school quality rating of 9/10 at the state level.
- Little Ridge Intermediate School serves Grades 3 to 5, with a student body of 729 enrollees. It has a school quality rating of 7/10 when compared to all schools in the state.
- Fort Payne Middle School has 758 students from Grades 5 to 8. Its GreatSchools rating is 8/10, ranking high in terms of academic and test score progress. The school encourages college and career preparations by incorporating electives and career preparedness programs into their seventh and eighth grade curriculums.
- Fort Payne High School is the only high school within city limits, with a student population of 1,064 and approximately 75 faculty and staff. The school supports the use of technology to maximize learning opportunities. FPHS has a school quality rating of 7/10 when compared to its counterparts in Alabama.
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Fort Payne has a strong sense of community
In a small town, close community ties naturally develop because residents live closely together, go to the same schools, frequent the same institutions, and band together for certain causes that affect the town. All of this applies to Fort Payne.
The strongest catalysts of this tight-knit bond among locals are the festivals, events, and other celebrations that take place throughout the year. These occasions are designed to bring individuals and families together in neighborly and community-building camaraderie.
Some of the biggest events residents and visitors look forward to include:
- June Jam, a charity concert event that was started by the band, Alabama, back in 1982. Born and raised in Fort Payne, the band members wanted to give back to their hometown by bringing together the biggest country acts in the US. The event attracted 30,000 fans and became an annual celebration until 1997. June Jam has raised $15 million over the years to benefit various charities, as well as Fort Payne schools. In 2022, the band decided to revive the show, with the 2024 event scheduled for June 1, 2024. More details here.
- The Boom Days Heritage Celebration, a two-day arts, music, and history festival that takes place in September. Local talents put on art and music shows in different locations in the city, while merchants hold street fairs downtown.
- Christmas and Fourth of July celebrations. The city is all dressed up during these periods, and the community comes out to enjoy the atmosphere and fellowship. Christmas festivities culminate with the annual parade, while the Fourth of July celebration ends with a literal bang of a spectacular fireworks display.
- Third Saturday Sunset Cruise-In, a display of classic cars and trucks. The event happens every third Saturday of the months, from April to October. Food vendors and music acts are also present during the cruise-in.
- Pete the Cat Day celebrates the character of the popular book series. Author James Dean is a Fort Payne native.
- If you’re a fan of live music, Fort Payne has a great selection of venues. Vintage 1889, The Dekalb Theatre, and Mater’s Pizza and Pasta Emporium don’t just serve good eats, they also feature local bands and musicians on a weekly basis. Meanwhile, The Little River Canyon Center has several special concerts throughout the year.
With Fort Payne the site of some of the best neighborhoods in Alabama, residents have always something to look forward to. Guests can get to experience that unique small town vibe and the strong sense of community that is Fort Payne.
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Fort Payne has so many things to see and experience
The waterfall at Little River Canyon National Preserve Anyone living in Alabama would have surely heard about Fort Payne. As a top tourist destination in the state, there is never a lack of things to do in the city. There is something for everyone – history buffs, nature enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and people with a variety of interests. And everyone will enjoy the breadth of experiences Fort Payne has to offer.
Here is a rundown of some of the most fascinating places in the city.
- Fort Payne Hosiery Museum
Fort Payne was known as “The Sock Capital of the World” in the late 1990s. It has been said that during that time, one of every eight pairs of socks sold worldwide was manufactured in the town. The sock manufacturing business has scaled down since then, but its amazing history is proudly displayed in the Fort Payne Hosiery Museum. Visitors can explore the different exhibits detailing the industry’s beginnings through to its peak and decline, as well as its renaissance in the early 2010s.
- Alabama Fan Club and Museum
Country Music Hall of Famer Alabama proudly hails from Fort Payne. The musical trio, who released 21 straight #1 singles and has sold 73 million albums, are rightly legends in Fort Payne..
Fans from all over the country visit The Alabama Fan Club and Museum to browse the awards, memorabilia, and collectibles from the group’s 50-year career. On a good day, fans can have their photos taken with the band members when they happen to be around. Those who miss this opportunity can head to the next best thing: the bronze statues of the band located at the entrance of the city park.
The museum is especially crowded in June, when the band holds its annual Fan Appreciation Week.
- The Sawyer Building
- Fort Payne Opera House
The Fort Payne Opera House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, as well as the National Register of 19th Century Theatres in America.
It opened in September 1890, and is the last opera house still active in the state today. It has been converted for multiple purposes over the years, and is currently used as an event and performance center for concerts and other live productions.
- Little River Canyon National Preserve
Located on top of Lookout Mountain, Little River Canyon is a well-loved attraction that offers numerous vista points and recreational activities.
Most people go up to the preserve to see Little River Falls, a breathtaking sight that stands 45 feet high. This alone is already worth the trip, but going deeper into the canyon will reward you with many other land and water formations that provide the opportunity for hiking, swimming, fishing, bird watching, climbing, as well as whitewater rafting.
A complete sightseeing trip to Little River Canyon already takes around two to three hours. Return trips are the norm for locals and tourists alike as there is always more of the preserve to explore.
Built in 1879, the Sawyer Building is the oldest building in downtown Fort Payne. It used to be a central business hub that housed, among many others, the town’s post office and first phone company. The building is part of the Boom Town Historic District, which was listed into the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
In 2016, the Sawyer Building became the home of the BoomTown Makers Market, a retail gallery that presents the artwork and creations of 75 local and regional artists. This artist community was established not only to showcase local talent, but also to sustain the arts and culture scene in the city.
- Fort Payne Hosiery Museum
MORE FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FORT PAYNE, AL
If you are considering Fort Payne as your next home, here are some other things you must know about the city.
- The climate in Fort Payne is typical of the southeast region of the US, where summers are generally hot and winters mild. The most comfortable months climate-wise are May, September, and October. Tourism is highest in March, June, and July.
- National and international businesses have set up production plants in Fort Payne, making manufacturing the leading industry in the city. This is closely followed by the healthcare and social assistance industry. In 2021, the city’s employment rate jumped by 3.69%.
- Major cities are accessible to Fort Payne, including Chattanooga, Tennessee (1 hour away), Huntsville and Birmingham, Alabama (less than 2 hours away), and Atlanta, Georgia (less than 3 hours away).
With its rich history, solid institutions, amazing scenery, bountiful attractions, community spirit, and accessibility, Fort Payne is definitely a good place to call home.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT FORT PAYNE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH REALTOR LARAN ADKINS
Where to live is easily one of the most crucial decisions you will ever make. It will influence every aspect of your life, so it pays to carefully weigh your options.
You don’t have to go at it alone. An expert Realtor can explain the market, give you an overview of the community, and guide you through the process of buying a home.
Laran Adkins is a homegrown Fort Payne Realtor who is passionate about meeting her clients’ real estate needs. With her experience, local and national market knowledge, and personal ties to the community, she can help you find the right home in the best neighborhoods in Alabama.
Call 256.630.1918 or drop her an email. You can also contact Laran Adkins here to get started on your home buying journey.