🇺🇸 United States ZIP Code

STANDARD

36542

Gulf Shores

ZIP Code 36542 is a standard zip code serving Gulf Shores, Gulf Shores, Alabama (AL), in Baldwin County, United States. It has an estimated population of 12,705 with a median household income of $47,892. The area falls within the America/Chicago timezone.

Median Household Income vs. National Average

Location

Country: 🇺🇸 United States
State / Province: Alabama (AL)
County: Baldwin
City: Gulf Shores
Timezone: America/Chicago

Coordinates

Latitude: 30.271700
Longitude: -87.758900

Geographic Details

Land Area: 52.49 mi²
Water Area: 22.87 mi²
Population Density: 242.0 people per mi² (65th percentile)
Bounding Box: 30.355796°N, 30.216708°S, -87.575734°E, -88.033658°W

With 12,705 residents spread across 52.49 square miles, this area has a population density of 242.0 people per square mile.

Demographics

12,705

Population

70th percentile

$47,892

Median Income

50th percentile

$197,100

Median Home Value

70th percentile

52.49 mi²

Land Area

The median household income in 36542 is $47,892, and the median home value is $197,100.

Housing

15,939

Total Units

5,782

Occupied Units

36.3%

Occupancy Rate

Nearby ZIP Codes

Other zip codes in Gulf Shores, AL.

36547

Gulf Shores

Similar ZIP Codes in Alabama

ZIP codes with similar median household income in Alabama.

35452

Coker

$54,274

36092

Wetumpka

$49,012

35673

Trinity

$47,339

36908

Gilbertown

$43,542

35019

Baileyton

$54,342

36080

Titus

$45,469

35096

Lincoln

$45,233

36111

Montgomery

$53,339

Frequently Asked Questions

What information is available for each ZIP code?

Each ZIP code page shows city, state, county, geographic coordinates, timezone, population, median household income, median home value, housing units, land area, population density, commute time, educational attainment, area codes, and ZIP code type (Standard, PO Box, or Unique).

What are the different types of ZIP codes?

There are three types of ZIP codes: Standard (residential and commercial delivery areas), PO Box (assigned to post office box sections), and Unique (assigned to a single high-volume address like a government agency or large company). Standard ZIP codes are the most common.

How often is ZIP code data updated?

ZIP code assignments are updated quarterly by the USPS. Demographic data comes from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), which releases new 5-year estimates annually. ZipFYI updates its data to reflect the latest available information.

What is population density and why does it matter?

Population density measures the number of people per square mile in a ZIP code area. It helps identify urban vs. rural areas, affects real estate values, impacts service availability, and is used in market analysis. Dense urban ZIP codes may have 50,000+ people per square mile.

How are ZIP code boundaries determined?

ZIP code boundaries are determined by the USPS based on mail delivery routes, not political or geographic boundaries. They follow carrier routes and may cross city, county, or even state lines. Boundaries can change when the USPS reorganizes delivery operations.

What does median household income tell me about a ZIP code?

Median household income is the middle value when all household incomes in a ZIP code are sorted. Half of households earn more and half earn less. It is a better indicator of typical earnings than average income, which can be skewed by very high or very low outliers.