36532 vs 36542 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 36532, Orange = ZIP 36542.
Quick verdict: ZIP 36532 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, more diverse, more educated. ZIP 36542 is more affordable rent, lower unemployment, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 36532
Fairhope city, AL
View full profile →- Population37,121
- Median Income$86,026
- Median Home Value$395k
- Median Rent$1,231
- Median Age48.7 yrs
- Poverty Rate9.1%
ZIP 36542
Gulf Shores city, AL
View full profile →- Population17,335
- Median Income$74,861
- Median Home Value$367k
- Median Rent$1,201
- Median Age50.6 yrs
- Poverty Rate10.6%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
37,12117,335
Median Income
$86,026$74,861
Median Home Value
$395k$367k
Median Rent
$1,231$1,201
Median Age
48.7 yrs50.6 yrs
Poverty Rate
9.1%10.6%
Demographics
ZIP 36532
Fairhope city, AL
View full profile →- White %88.1%
- Black %4.1%
- Asian %0.5%
- Hispanic %5.5%
- Age 0–17 %19.8%
- Age 18–64 %55.1%
- Age 65+ %25.1%
- Bachelor's+ %49.5%
- Diversity Index22/100
ZIP 36542
Gulf Shores city, AL
View full profile →- White %89.4%
- Black %2.4%
- Asian %1.2%
- Hispanic %5.5%
- Age 0–17 %14.6%
- Age 18–64 %58.8%
- Age 65+ %26.7%
- Bachelor's+ %38.2%
- Diversity Index20/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
88.1%89.4%
Black %
4.1%2.4%
Asian %
0.5%1.2%
Hispanic %
5.5%5.5%
Age 0–17 %
19.8%14.6%
Age 18–64 %
55.1%58.8%
Age 65+ %
25.1%26.7%
Bachelor's+ %
49.5%38.2%
Diversity Index
22/10020/100
Economy
ZIP 36532
Fairhope city, AL
View full profile →- Median Income$86,026
- Unemployment %2.7%
- IRS Net Migration+1,182
- Work From Home %11.4%
ZIP 36542
Gulf Shores city, AL
View full profile →- Median Income$74,861
- Unemployment %2.4%
- IRS Net Migration+552
- Work From Home %15.7%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$86,026$74,861
Unemployment %
2.7%2.4%
IRS Net Migration
+1,182+552
Work From Home %
11.4%15.7%
Housing
ZIP 36532
Fairhope city, AL
View full profile →- Median Home Value$395k
- Median Rent$1,231
- Owner Occupied %82.5%
- Broadband %88.6%
- Vacant %13.1%
- Median Year Built1998
ZIP 36542
Gulf Shores city, AL
View full profile →- Median Home Value$367k
- Median Rent$1,201
- Owner Occupied %68.9%
- Broadband %91.9%
- Vacant %57.2%
- Median Year Built1999
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$395k$367k
Median Rent
$1,231$1,201
Owner Occupied %
82.5%68.9%
Broadband %
88.6%91.9%
Vacant %
13.1%57.2%
Median Year Built
19981999
Climate & Location
ZIP 36532
Fairhope city, AL
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)23 ft
- Nearest Airport15.9 miles (25.6 km)
- Distance to Coast3.6 miles (5.8 km)
ZIP 36542
Gulf Shores city, AL
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)8 ft
- Nearest Airport26.4 miles (42.5 km)
- Distance to Coast0.8 miles (1.4 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
23 ft8 ft
Nearest Airport
15.9 miles (25.6 km)26.4 miles (42.5 km)
Distance to Coast
3.6 miles (5.8 km)0.8 miles (1.4 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 36532
Fairhope city, AL
View full profile →- Work From Home %11.4%
- Walkability (0–100)38
- Broadband %88.6%
ZIP 36542
Gulf Shores city, AL
View full profile →- Work From Home %15.7%
- Walkability (0–100)—
- Broadband %91.9%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
11.4%15.7%
Walkability (0–100)
38—
Broadband %
88.6%91.9%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 36532 and 36542 compare?
ZIP 36532 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, more diverse, more educated. ZIP 36542 is more affordable rent, lower unemployment, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (36532), orange the second (36542). The same colors are used in the map markers and comparison bars.
Where does this data come from?
Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal sources. See our Methodology page for details.
How can I compare other ZIP codes?
From any ZIP page, use the "Compare with Another ZIP" tool, or go to /compare/XXXXX-vs-YYYYY (replace with two 5-digit ZIP codes).
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