Chapter ED Intelligence · Chapter Report
ARC serving Mid Alabama
Southeast and Caribbean Division · Alabama and Mississippi Region
AL · 9 counties · HQ Birmingham, AL · FEMA Region IV
1,306,921
People
521,830
Households
43.8%
Households below the ALICE survival threshold
9
Counties · 6,361 sq mi
Nearly 44% of households across this chapter live below the ALICE survival threshold — the working families one disaster away from crisis.
In this report · Economic vulnerability · Who lives here · Home fire mission (FLARE) · mission delivery & the bespoke relationship strategy to follow
Sources: American Red Cross geography + 2023 demographics reference table; United Way ALICE + poverty (latest county year).
Geography & Footprint
The chapter's footprint.
9
Counties
6,361
Square miles
1,306,921
People
Alabama and Mississippi Region
Southeast and Caribbean Division
| County | People | Sq mi | % of chapter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson | 673,039 | 1,124 | 51.5% |
| Shelby | 231,872 | 810 | 17.7% |
| Calhoun | 115,312 | 612 | 8.8% |
| St. Clair | 93,642 | 653 | 7.2% |
| Talladega | 81,994 | 760 | 6.3% |
| Blount | 59,594 | 651 | 4.6% |
| Randolph | 21,956 | 584 | 1.7% |
| Cleburne | 15,139 | 561 | 1.2% |
| Clay | 14,373 | 606 | 1.1% |
HQ: Birmingham, AL · FEMA Region IV. Counties sorted by population.
Who Lives Here
The people of this chapter.
40
Median age
$61,849
Median household income
16.3%
Age 65+
30.2%
Renter households
Age distribution
Race & ethnicity
Hispanic / Latino (any race): 5.7% of residents.
Source: American Red Cross 2023 demographics reference table. Chapter figures aggregate the 9 counties; median age and income are population-weighted.
Economic Vulnerability
Where the need is greatest.
| County | People | Median HH income | ALICE | Poverty | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calhoun | 115,312 | $50,156 | 29.9% | 21.9% | 51.8% |
| Blount | 59,594 | $57,484 | 34.2% | 15.8% | 50.0% |
| Randolph | 21,956 | $48,207 | 27.5% | 20.4% | 47.9% |
| Cleburne | 15,139 | $49,001 | 32.3% | 15.5% | 47.8% |
| Clay | 14,373 | $46,283 | 29.1% | 18.0% | 47.1% |
| Jefferson | 673,039 | $58,025 | 30.0% | 15.5% | 45.5% |
| St. Clair | 93,642 | $63,829 | 29.6% | 10.7% | 40.2% |
| Talladega | 81,994 | $47,334 | 19.9% | 18.2% | 38.1% |
| Shelby | 231,872 | $87,314 | 25.7% | 9.6% | 35.4% |
Combined = households in poverty plus ALICE households (above poverty, below the cost of basics), as a share of all county households. Source: United Way ALICE, latest county year.
Risk & Disaster History
What this chapter is up against.
$532.7M
Expected annual loss, all hazards
Jefferson
Highest-risk county
57.2%
Avg social vulnerability (SVI)
2
FEMA declarations, 5 yr (top county)
| County | NRI risk | Exp. annual loss | SVI %ile | FEMA 5yr | FEMA all |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson | Relatively High | $262.4M | 72.5% | 2 | 39 |
| Shelby | Relatively Moderate | $105.8M | 12.4% | 2 | 26 |
| Calhoun | Relatively Moderate | $53.8M | 81.5% | 1 | 23 |
| Talladega | Relatively Moderate | $37.0M | 90.8% | 1 | 25 |
| St. Clair | Relatively Low | $32.6M | 25.9% | 1 | 30 |
| Blount | Relatively Low | $21.3M | 61.7% | 1 | 25 |
| Randolph | Very Low | $7.9M | 55.9% | 2 | 25 |
| Cleburne | Very Low | $6.0M | 52.0% | 1 | 22 |
| Clay | Very Low | $5.9M | 62.2% | 1 | 24 |
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index 2025 (risk rating, expected annual loss), CDC/ATSDR SVI 2022 (social-vulnerability percentile), FEMA disaster declarations — via the Red Cross national county database.
Disaster History
A chapter shaped by disaster.
56
Federal disaster declarations
11
Hurricanes
Severe Storm
Most common type
2024
Most recent
By incident type
Most recent declarations
| FY | Disaster | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Hurricane Helene | Hurricane |
| 2023 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm |
| 2022 | Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm |
| 2021 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm |
| 2021 | Hurricane Zeta | Hurricane |
| 2020 | Hurricane Sally | Hurricane |
| 2020 | Severe Thunderstorms | Severe Storm |
| 2020 | Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm |
| 2020 | Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological |
| 2020 | Covid-19 | Biological |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 — county-level, deduplicated to unique disasters.
Home Fire Mission · FLARE 2024
Every home fire is a Red Cross moment.
865
Home fires (2024)
53.3%
Red Cross care rate
321
Fires with no Red Cross notification
6.6
Fires per 10,000 residents
Red Cross cared for 53% of home fires — but 321 (37%) happened with no Red Cross notification: the prevention, smoke-alarm, and response opportunity, county by county.
Source: FLARE Fire Incidents 2024 (American Red Cross, public layer). “With care” = Red Cross provided assistance; “no notification” = the Red Cross was never alerted to the fire.
Home Fire · Respond & Prevent
Red Cross shows up — and prevents.
507
Home-fire calls answered (RC response)
479
Single-family fire responses
3,968
Free smoke alarms installed
15
Multi-family fire responses
Red Cross answered 507 home-fire calls and installed 3,968 free smoke alarms across the chapter — response and prevention, county by county.
Sources: DRO National 800-RedCross Calls by County (RC fire responses); Smoke Alarm Installs FY15–FY24 (American Red Cross).
Red Cross Facilities
The chapter's physical footprint.
5
Red Cross facilities
2
Owned
3
Leased / licensed
2
BioMed sites
By type / function
BioMed facilities
UAB Medical Center Blood Donation CenterRed Cells
Birmingham AL Blood Donation CenterPlatelets & Red Cells
Sources: Red Cross real-estate portfolio (reintel.jbf.com) + BioMed facilities (biomed.jbf.com).
Locations, types and functions only — no cost, square footage, or lease terms are disclosed.
Red Cross Philanthropy · Major Donors
Who gives here.
Major-donor giving across the chapter — three fiscal years. Internal planning data.
$2,241,537
Total giving, 3-year
58
Major donors
$114,781
Current FY · ▼ 90% vs prior FY
$1,783,932
Top: Jefferson
| County | Major donors | Total giving, 3-year |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson | 40 | $1,783,932 |
| Shelby | 12 | $381,497 |
| Talladega | 3 | $41,400 |
| Calhoun | 3 | $34,708 |
Source: Red Cross major-donor giving by county, three fiscal years.
Internal / executive-director planning use — not donor-facing.
County Deep Dive
Jefferson County
673,039
People
$58,025
Median HH income
45.5%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively High
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age39.5
ALICE households81,745
Poverty households42,232
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$262.4M
Social vulnerability (SVI)72.5%
FEMA declarations (all time)39
Home fires, CY2024541
Fires, no RC notification204
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$1,783,932
Jefferson County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Shelby County
231,872
People
$87,314
Median HH income
35.4%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Moderate
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age39.2
ALICE households22,719
Poverty households8,506
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$105.8M
Social vulnerability (SVI)12.4%
FEMA declarations (all time)26
Home fires, CY202459
Fires, no RC notification31
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$381,497
Shelby County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Calhoun County
115,312
People
$50,156
Median HH income
51.8%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Moderate
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age40.1
ALICE households13,829
Poverty households10,164
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$53.8M
Social vulnerability (SVI)81.5%
FEMA declarations (all time)23
Home fires, CY202497
Fires, no RC notification36
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$34,708
Calhoun County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
St. Clair County
93,642
People
$63,829
Median HH income
40.2%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age41.3
ALICE households10,192
Poverty households3,683
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$32.6M
Social vulnerability (SVI)25.9%
FEMA declarations (all time)30
Home fires, CY202439
Fires, no RC notification15
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr—
St. Clair County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Talladega County
81,994
People
$47,334
Median HH income
38.1%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Moderate
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age42.1
ALICE households6,766
Poverty households6,209
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$37.0M
Social vulnerability (SVI)90.8%
FEMA declarations (all time)25
Home fires, CY202467
Fires, no RC notification15
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$41,400
Talladega County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Blount County
59,594
People
$57,484
Median HH income
50.0%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age41.6
ALICE households7,515
Poverty households3,464
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$21.3M
Social vulnerability (SVI)61.7%
FEMA declarations (all time)25
Home fires, CY202425
Fires, no RC notification8
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr—
Blount County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Randolph County
21,956
People
$48,207
Median HH income
47.9%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Very Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age43.7
ALICE households2,514
Poverty households1,859
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$7.9M
Social vulnerability (SVI)55.9%
FEMA declarations (all time)25
Home fires, CY202417
Fires, no RC notification3
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr—
Randolph County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Cleburne County
15,139
People
$49,001
Median HH income
47.8%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Very Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age43
ALICE households1,892
Poverty households906
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$6.0M
Social vulnerability (SVI)52.0%
FEMA declarations (all time)22
Home fires, CY202410
Fires, no RC notification7
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr—
Cleburne County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Clay County
14,373
People
$46,283
Median HH income
47.1%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Very Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age45
ALICE households1,675
Poverty households1,038
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$5.9M
Social vulnerability (SVI)62.2%
FEMA declarations (all time)24
Home fires, CY202410
Fires, no RC notification2
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr—
Clay County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
Your Live Tools
The chapter's Experience Builder apps & federal tools.
Red Cross Intelligence Briefing
Chapter risk, hardship, hazards & county drilldowns
experience.arcgis.com
Disaster Response Intelligence
Spatial disaster-response intelligence
Experience Builder app
Red Cross Real Estate
Facilities & market intelligence
experience.arcgis.com
Service Area Planning
Service-area geography & planning
Experience Builder app
Community Mobilization V
Local resource & mobilization map
experience.arcgis.com
Biomed
Blood & BioMed footprint
experience.arcgis.com
FEMA RAPT
Resilience analysis & planning
www.fema.gov
Census Community Resilience
People & resilience context
www.census.gov
Red Cross Experience Builder apps give the live, drill-down companion to this report; federal tools add official context.
Sources & Methodology
Every number, traceable.
Tools produce facts; humans own decisions. Each figure in this report traces to a named source and vintage.
| Metric | Source | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| geography + 2023 demographics | ALICE master / Red Cross reference table | 2023 |
| ALICE + poverty households | MASTER counties ALICE+demographics | 2023 |
| flare | flare_fire_incidents (public AGOL, CY24) | CY2024 |
| smoke_alarms | GIS_MAP_FY15_to_FY24 (AGOL item b09f21d9…) | FY15–24 |
| lives_saved | Lives_Saved_Map_30_Apr_2026 (AGOL item ff313330…) | 2026 |
| risk + disaster history | FEMA NRI 2025 · CDC SVI 2022 · FEMA declarations (red-cross-data county master) | FEMA NRI 2025 · SVI 2022 |
| fema disaster history | FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 | 2026 |
| facilities / real estate (no costs) | Red Cross facilities portfolio — reintel.jbf.com (locations, types & ownership only; no cost/lease terms) | FY25 |
| home-fire RC responses (SFF/MFF) | DRO National 800-RedCross Calls by County (org AGOL) | FY24–26 |
Geography: American Red Cross chapter↔county reference. The full machine-readable source ledger ships with the data bundle.
Appendix · County Data
Full county table.
| County | Pop | Households | Hardship | NRI risk | Exp. annual loss | Fires '24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson | 673,039 | 275,317 | 45.5% | Relatively High | $262.4M | 541 |
| Shelby | 231,872 | 87,912 | 35.4% | Relatively Moderate | $105.8M | 59 |
| Calhoun | 115,312 | 46,161 | 51.8% | Relatively Moderate | $53.8M | 97 |
| St. Clair | 93,642 | 35,418 | 40.2% | Relatively Low | $32.6M | 39 |
| Talladega | 81,994 | 33,245 | 38.1% | Relatively Moderate | $37.0M | 67 |
| Blount | 59,594 | 22,652 | 50.0% | Relatively Low | $21.3M | 25 |
| Randolph | 21,956 | 8,990 | 47.9% | Very Low | $7.9M | 17 |
| Cleburne | 15,139 | 6,119 | 47.8% | Very Low | $6.0M | 10 |
| Clay | 14,373 | 6,016 | 47.1% | Very Low | $5.9M | 10 |
One row per county. Combined hardship = poverty + ALICE households. Fires = FLARE CY2024.