36542 ZIP Code
Gulf Shores, Alabama
December 17, 2025
| ZIP Code: | 36542 |
| City/Town: | Gulf Shores |
| County: | Baldwin |
| State: | Alabama |
| ZIP Type: | Standard |
| Population: | 17,089 |
| Median Household Income: | $63,305 |
| Per Capita Income: | $32,767 |
| Total Housing Units: | 18,299 |
| Median Home Value: | $323,900 |
| Land Area: | 52.0 sq miles
134.7 sq km |
| Water Area: | 22.5 sq miles
58.3 sq km |
| Coordinates: | 30.2696, -87.7506 |
Population Information (36542 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population: | 17,089 | -- | -- |
| Male: | 7,739 | 45.3% | 49.6% |
| Female: | 9,350 | 54.7% | 50.4% |
| Median Age: | 50.0 yrs | -- | 38.5 yrs |
| Under 5 years: | 316 | 1.8% | 5.7% |
| 5 to 9 years: | 545 | 3.2% | 6.0% |
| 10 to 14 years: | 905 | 5.3% | 6.5% |
| 15 to 19 years: | 1,329 | 7.8% | 6.6% |
| 20 to 24 years: | 611 | 3.6% | 6.7% |
| 25 to 34 years: | 1,910 | 11.2% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 years: | 1,922 | 11.2% | 12.9% |
| 45 to 54 years: | 2,498 | 14.6% | 12.4% |
| 55 to 59 years: | 1,183 | 6.9% | 6.5% |
| 60 to 64 years: | 1,415 | 8.3% | 6.4% |
| 65 to 74 years: | 3,082 | 18.0% | 9.7% |
| 75 to 84 years: | 792 | 4.6% | 4.8% |
| 85 years and over: | 581 | 3.4% | 2.0% |
Housing Information (36542 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value: | $323,900 | -- | $281,900 |
| Median rooms: | 4.9 | -- | 5.5 |
| Median rent: | $1,182 / mo. | -- | $1,268 / mo. |
| Total housing units: | 18,299 | -- | -- |
| Occupied housing units: | 7,762 | 42.4% | 38.0% |
| Vacant housing units: | 10,537 | 57.6% | 4.6% |
| Housing tenure: | -- | -- | -- |
| Owner-occupied: | 5,371 | 69.2% | 64.8% |
| Renter-occupied: | 2,391 | 30.8% | 35.2% |
Educational Attainment (36542 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 years and over: | 13,383 | -- | -- |
| Less than 9th grade: | 230 | 1.7% | 4.7% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 443 | 3.3% | 6.1% |
| High school graduate: | 3,056 | 22.8% | 26.4% |
| Some college, no degree: | 3,256 | 24.3% | 19.7% |
| Associate degree: | 1,193 | 8.9% | 8.7% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 2,933 | 21.9% | 20.9% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 2,272 | 17.0% | 13.7% |
| Percent high school graduate or higher: | -- | 95.0% | 89.1% |
| Percent bachelor's degree or higher: | -- | 38.9% | 34.3% |
Income Information (36542 zip code)
| Value | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income: | $63,305 / yr. | $75,149 / yr. |
| Mean household income: | $88,890 / yr. | $105,833 / yr. |
| Median family income: | $89,533 / yr. | $92,646 / yr. |
| Per capita income: | $32,767 / yr. | $41,261 / yr. |
Employment (36542 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In labor force: | 9,241 | -- | 63.5% |
| Employed: | 9,045 | 97.9% | 96.4% |
| Unemployed: | 196 | 2.1% | 5.3% |
| Not in labor force: | 5,880 | -- | -- |
| Class of Worker: | -- | -- | -- |
| Private wage and salary: | 6,916 | 76.5% | 79.7% |
| Government workers: | 1,095 | 12.1% | 14.2% |
| Self-employed: | 1,019 | 11.3% | 5.9% |
| Unpaid family workers: | 15 | 0.2% | 0.1% |
Race & Ethnicity (36542 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Race (one race): | -- | -- | -- |
| White: | 15,705 | 91.9% | 61.6% |
| Black or African American: | 357 | 2.1% | 12.4% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native: | 82 | 0.5% | 1.1% |
| Asian: | 188 | 1.1% | 6.0% |
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.2% |
| Some other race: | 281 | 1.6% | 8.4% |
| Two or more races: | 476 | 2.8% | 10.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race): | 569 | 3.3% | 18.7% |
| Mexican: | 753 | 4.4% | 11.2% |
| Puerto Rican: | 384 | 2.2% | 1.8% |
| Cuban: | 9 | 0.1% | 0.7% |
| Other Hispanic or Latino: | 47 | 0.3% | 5.0% |
| Not Hispanic or Latino: | 313 | 1.8% | 81.1% |
Income Distribution (36542 zip code)
| Household Income | Households | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than $10,000: | 169 | 2.2% | 4.9% |
| $10,000 to $14,999: | 520 | 6.7% | 3.8% |
| $15,000 to $24,999: | 271 | 3.5% | 7.0% |
| $25,000 to $34,999: | 861 | 11.1% | 7.4% |
| $35,000 to $49,999: | 1,209 | 15.6% | 10.7% |
| $50,000 to $74,999: | 1,319 | 17.0% | 16.1% |
| $75,000 to $99,999: | 1,140 | 14.7% | 12.8% |
| $100,000 to $149,999: | 1,189 | 15.3% | 17.1% |
| $150,000 to $199,999: | 524 | 6.8% | 8.8% |
| $200,000 or more: | 560 | 7.2% | 11.4% |
Commute to Work (36542 zip code)
| Commute Method | Workers | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drove alone: | 7,183 | 79.4% | 67.8% |
| Carpooled: | 515 | 5.7% | 8.7% |
| Public transportation: | 0 | 0.0% | 4.2% |
| Walked: | 0 | 0.0% | 2.5% |
| Other means: | 82 | 0.9% | 0.9% |
| Worked from home: | 1,054 | 11.7% | 13.8% |
| Mean travel time to work: | 20.9 min | -- | 26.7 min |
Industry (36542 zip code)
| Industry Sector | Workers | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining: | 32 | 0.4% | 1.6% |
| Construction: | 601 | 6.6% | 6.9% |
| Manufacturing: | 262 | 2.9% | 10.0% |
| Wholesale trade: | 84 | 0.9% | 2.4% |
| Retail trade: | 1,471 | 16.3% | 11.0% |
| Transportation, warehousing, utilities: | 343 | 3.8% | 5.8% |
| Information: | 301 | 3.3% | 1.9% |
| Finance, insurance, real estate: | 1,120 | 12.4% | 6.7% |
| Professional, scientific, management: | 1,225 | 13.5% | 12.1% |
| Education, health care, social services: | 1,229 | 13.6% | 23.3% |
| Arts, entertainment, food services: | 1,664 | 18.4% | 9.0% |
| Other services: | 306 | 3.4% | 4.7% |
| Public administration: | 407 | 4.5% | 4.7% |
Poverty Status (36542 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty Rate: | -- | 8.0% | 8.8% |
| All people below poverty level: | -- | -- | -- |
| Under 18 years: | -- | -- | 16.3% |
| 18 to 64 years: | -- | -- | 11.0% |
| 65 years and over: | -- | -- | 10.3% |
Health Insurance (36542 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With health insurance: | 14,751 | 86.3% | 91.3% |
| Private health insurance: | 12,257 | 71.7% | 67.6% |
| Public health coverage: | 5,765 | 33.7% | 35.9% |
| Without health insurance: | 2,318 | 13.6% | 8.7% |
Benefits & Assistance (36542 zip code)
| Households with: | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings: | 5,786 | 74.5% | 77.4% |
| Social Security income: | 3,131 | 40.3% | 31.0% |
| Retirement income: | 2,492 | 32.1% | 21.8% |
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI): | 216 | 2.8% | 4.5% |
| Cash public assistance income: | 32 | 0.4% | 1.8% |
| SNAP (food stamps) benefits: | 479 | 6.2% | 11.4% |
Housing Types (36542 zip code)
| Structure Type | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-unit, detached: | 8,148 | 44.5% | 61.4% |
| 1-unit, attached: | 416 | 2.3% | 6.1% |
| 2 units: | 833 | 4.6% | 3.4% |
| 3 or 4 units: | 572 | 3.1% | 4.3% |
| 5 to 9 units: | 1,237 | 6.8% | 4.6% |
| 10 to 19 units: | 1,451 | 7.9% | 4.3% |
| 20 or more units: | 5,377 | 29.4% | 9.9% |
| Mobile home: | 236 | 1.3% | 5.8% |
| Boat, RV, van, etc.: | 29 | 0.2% | 0.1% |
Year Structure Built (36542 zip code)
| Year Built | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built 2020 or later: | 318 | 1.7% | 0.6% |
| Built 2010 to 2019: | 1,281 | 7.0% | 8.2% |
| Built 2000 to 2009: | 6,386 | 34.9% | 13.5% |
| Built 1990 to 1999: | 3,414 | 18.7% | 13.2% |
| Built 1980 to 1989: | 4,942 | 27.0% | 13.2% |
| Built 1970 to 1979: | 844 | 4.6% | 14.6% |
| Built 1960 to 1969: | 747 | 4.1% | 10.2% |
| Built 1950 to 1959: | 239 | 1.3% | 9.9% |
| Built 1940 to 1949: | 18 | 0.1% | 4.6% |
| Built 1939 or earlier: | 110 | 0.6% | 12.0% |
Bedrooms (36542 zip code)
| Number of Bedrooms | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| No bedroom (studio): | 460 | 2.5% | 2.4% |
| 1 bedroom: | 1,381 | 7.5% | 3.0% |
| 2 bedrooms: | 6,490 | 35.5% | 9.1% |
| 3 bedrooms: | 7,221 | 39.5% | 15.9% |
| 4 bedrooms: | 1,987 | 10.9% | 18.8% |
| 5 or more bedrooms: | 760 | 4.2% | 17.6% |
Heating Fuel (36542 zip code)
| Fuel Type | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utility gas: | 247 | 3.2% | 47.1% |
| Bottled, tank, or LP gas: | 71 | 0.9% | 4.9% |
| Electricity: | 7,435 | 95.8% | 40.2% |
| Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.: | 0 | 0.0% | 4.2% |
| Coal or coke: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| Wood: | 0 | 0.0% | 1.5% |
| Solar energy: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| Other fuel: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.5% |
| No fuel used: | 9 | 0.1% | 0.2% |
Vehicles Available (36542 zip code)
| Vehicles | Households | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle available: | 181 | 2.3% | 8.3% |
| 1 vehicle available: | 3,342 | 43.1% | 32.6% |
| 2 vehicles available: | 2,964 | 38.2% | 37.0% |
| 3 or more vehicles available: | 1,275 | 16.4% | 22.1% |
Home Value Distribution (36542 zip code)
| Value Range | Owner Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than $50,000: | 146 | 2.7% | 5.7% |
| $50,000 to $99,999: | 29 | 0.5% | 7.8% |
| $100,000 to $149,999: | 149 | 2.8% | 9.2% |
| $150,000 to $199,999: | 367 | 6.8% | 10.8% |
| $200,000 to $299,999: | 1,738 | 32.4% | 19.9% |
| $300,000 to $499,999: | 1,716 | 31.9% | 24.1% |
| $500,000 to $999,999: | 1,177 | 21.9% | 17.0% |
| $1,000,000 or more: | 49 | 0.9% | 5.6% |
Housing Costs (36542 zip code)
| Value | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|
| Median owner costs (with mortgage): | $1,662 / mo. | $1,828 / mo. |
| Median owner costs (no mortgage): | $566 / mo. | $584 / mo. |
| Median gross rent: | $1,182 / mo. | $1,268 / mo. |
| Average household size (owner-occupied): | 2.35 | 2.53 |
| Average household size (renter-occupied): | 1.85 | 2.38 |
Households (36542 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households: | 7,762 | -- | -- |
| Married-couple households: | 3,561 | 45.9% | 47.5% |
| Cohabiting couple households: | 854 | 11.0% | 7.0% |
| Male householder, no spouse: | 1,686 | 21.7% | 5.4% |
| Female householder, no spouse: | 2,184 | 28.1% | 12.7% |
| Householder living alone: | 1,667 | 21.5% | 28.6% |
| 65 years and over living alone: | 3,022 | 38.9% | 11.8% |
| Average household size: | 2.20 | -- | 2.53 |
| Average family size: | 2.87 | -- | -- |
Marital Status (36542 zip code)
| Population 15 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: | 6,890 | -- | -- |
| Never married: | 1,725 | 25.0% | 37.0% |
| Now married: | 3,801 | 55.2% | 49.5% |
| Separated: | 160 | 2.3% | 1.5% |
| Widowed: | 1,172 | 17.0% | 2.6% |
| Divorced: | 2,296 | 33.3% | 9.3% |
School Enrollment (36542 zip code)
| Population 3 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrolled in school: | 3,316 | -- | -- |
| Nursery school, preschool: | 79 | 2.4% | 5.8% |
| Kindergarten: | 150 | 4.5% | 5.0% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 1,110 | 33.5% | 40.5% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 1,044 | 31.5% | 21.4% |
| College or graduate school: | 933 | 28.1% | 27.3% |
Veterans & Disability (36542 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian population 18 years and over: | 14,565 | -- | -- |
| Veterans: | 1,320 | 9.1% | 6.3% |
| Civilian noninstitutionalized population: | 17,069 | -- | -- |
| With a disability: | 2,263 | 13.3% | 13.4% |
| Under 18 with disability: | 86 | 3.8% | 5.8% |
| 18 to 64 with disability: | 905 | 40.0% | 10.4% |
| 65 and over with disability: | 1,272 | 56.2% | 33.4% |
Mobility (Residence 1 Year Ago) (36542 zip code)
| Population 1 year and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same house: | 14,895 | 87.2% | 86.9% |
| Different house: | 2,170 | 12.7% | 13.1% |
| Same county: | 921 | 42.4% | 7.0% |
| Different county: | 1,212 | 55.9% | 3.2% |
| Different state: | 1,082 | 49.9% | 2.5% |
| Abroad: | 37 | 1.7% | 0.4% |
Place of Birth (36542 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native born: | 15,956 | 93.4% | 86.2% |
| Foreign born: | 242 | 1.4% | 13.9% |
| Naturalized citizen: | 1,133 | 468.2% | 52.7% |
| Not a citizen: | 1,133 | 468.2% | 47.3% |
| Foreign-born by region: | -- | -- | -- |
| Europe: | 1,133 | 468.2% | 10.5% |
| Asia: | 102 | 42.1% | 31.3% |
| Africa: | 10 | 4.1% | 5.5% |
| Oceania: | 37 | 15.3% | 0.5% |
| Latin America: | 755 | 312.0% | 50.0% |
| Northern America: | 41 | 16.9% | 2.2% |
Language Spoken at Home (36542 zip code)
| Population 5 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: | 16,773 | -- | -- |
| English only: | 15,587 | 92.9% | 78.3% |
| Language other than English: | 1,186 | 7.1% | 21.5% |
| By language: | -- | -- | -- |
| Spanish: | 585 | 3.5% | 13.3% |
| Other Indo-European languages: | 413 | 2.5% | 3.5% |
| Asian/Pacific Island languages: | 178 | 1.1% | 3.5% |
| Other languages: | 10 | 0.1% | 1.0% |
Computers & Internet (36542 zip code)
| Households | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households with a computer: | 7,762 | 100.0% | 93.1% |
| Households with broadband internet: | 7,538 | 97.1% | 89.4% |
Gulf Shores, AL36542