top of page

Appalachian Learning Initiative
Infographics Database

About This Page:

Welcome to the Appalachian Learning Initiative's Infographics Resource. This resource allows users to select one of the 13 Appalachian states and view state- and county-level data about adult literacy and numeracy, population demographics, quality of life statistics, and the public health measures that impact Appalachians.


Users will also find infographics for all 423 counties and 8 independent Virginia cities in the Appalachian Region which are free to the public and available for download and distribution.

The image is a map of Alabama divided into counties, each colored to represent the percentage of Appalachian adults who read at or below an 8th grade level. The color gradient ranges from green (42.4%) to red (80.5%). The map includes counties like Lauderdale, Colbert, Madison, and others, each labeled with their name and shaded according to the data. The left side shows a vertical color scale indicating the range of percentages. The top text reads "Appalachian Learning Initiative," and on the right, there's a description about the percentage of adults reading at or below an 8th grade level. Logos and contact information for APPLI are at the bottom.

We hope that our users will be able to turn these data into local- and state-level advocacy by working to increase funding for adult literacy and numeracy.

​

Here are a couple of tips to help users access and utilize the information they'll find:​​
 

  • If a data point reads "Suppressed," this means that there were fewer than 10 cases in a jurisdiction. Because of this, the exact numbers have been hidden to protect the patients' identities.
     

  • Incidence and mortality rates are rates per 100,000 residents (e.g., HIV Diagnosis Rate)
     

  • Our sources for these data may be found on our Resources page in the Citations section.

​

We truly hope that everyone enjoys this resource. Please remember to share these infographics with your networks and help us to spread the word about adult literacy and numeracy in Appalachia.

​

Sincerely,
Marcus J. Hopkins
Founder & Executive Director

Select a Jurisdiction

Alabama

Regionwide

Adults Reading At/Below
an 8th Grade Level:

65.6%

The image is a rectangular infographic with a red silhouette of the state of Alabama occupying the center. Inside the silhouette are five human icons; the first three are white, and the last two are grey, illustrating a statistic. Below the icons, large white text reads "Nearly 2 out of 3 adults living in Alabama's Appalachian counties read at or below an 8th-grade level." At the bottom, there is a white box with a logo and text. On the left side of the image, in black text, is "Appalachian Learning Initiative." Underneath, more text reads, "APPLI is building solutions," followed by "Follow us" and social media icons for Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Spotify, and YouTube.
The image is a map of Alabama displaying the percentage of Appalachian adults who read at or below an 8th-grade level. Each county is color-coded based on literacy levels: red indicates high percentages (around 80.5%), while green signifies lower percentages (around 42.4%). The map includes counties like Lauderdale, Colbert, and Jackson, with colored boundaries to delineate them. A vertical gradient color scale on the left ranges from red to green, showing the corresponding percentages. The title at the top reads "Appalachian Learning Initiative." To the right, text highlights the focus on literacy levels. The bottom displays the logo of the Appalachian Learning Initiative with contact information, including social media icons.
The image is an infographic shaped like the state of Alabama, with a dark blue background. On the infographic's upper left, the text "Appalachian Learning Initiative" is written in dark blue. Over the silhouette of Alabama, there are five simplified figures: three white and two orange, depicting a statistical representation. Below these figures, the main text is bold and white, stating, "Nearly 3 out of 4 adults living in Alabama’s Appalachian counties struggle with basic math." At the bottom right, the source "National Center for Education Statistics, 2020" is shown, accompanied by the logo for "APPLI Appalachian Learning Initiative www.appli.org" featuring a rainbow-colored arc. To the left of the Alabama silhouette, information about the organization is provided, indicating "APPLI is building solutions," with a call to action to follow them on various social media platforms, represented by logos.

Adults Struggling with Basic Mathematics:

74%

The image shows a map of Alabama highlighting various counties, representing the percentage of Appalachian adults who struggle with basic math. The map uses a color gradient scale on the left, ranging from red to green, indicating percentages from 90.0% to 52.2%. Each county is color-coded according to this scale: red implies a higher percentage, while green indicates a lower percentage of adults struggling with math. Counties such as Hale and Macon are marked in dark red, indicating higher percentages, while counties like Limestone and Madison are depicted in a greenish hue. A title at the top reads "Appalachian Learning Initiative." On the right side, text provides the context for the map. Below the map, there is additional information about the data source and the Appalachian Learning Initiative (APPLI). Social media icons are displayed at the bottom-right.
Demographics (2023)

Population:

Male:

Female:

White:

Black:

Hispanic:

Asian:

American Indian /
Alaska Native:

Native Hawaiian /
Pacific Islander:

Other:

3,302,235

49.1%

50.9%

78.0%

18.3%

5.6%

0.8%

0.8%

0.1%

2.0%

Quality of Life Statistics

Adults Who Haven't
Finished High School (2023):

15.0%

Residents Earning Below
150% of the Federal
Poverty Level (2023):

26.5%

Residents Earning Below 100%
of the Federal Poverty Level:

15.9%

Residents Who Rely on SNAP
for Nutrition Assistance (2023):

14.7%

Residents Who Lack
Health Insurance (2023):

9.4%

Residents Spending
50%+of Their Income
on Housing (2023):

9.0%

Residents Facing
Food Insecurity (2022):

17.5%

Households Paying $200+ Per Month on Electricity (2023):

56.0%

Public Health Statistics

Drug Overdose
Death Rate (2022):

34.1

HIV Diagnoses Rate (2022):

18.2

HIV Prevalence (2022):

214.5

Adults Who Currently
Smoke Cigarettes (2023):

17.9%

Adults Living with
Obesity (2022):

15.2%

Adults with Diabetes (2022):

15.2%

Adults with Asthma (2022):

10.6%

Adults with COPD (2022):

10.1%

Adults with CHD (2022):

9.1%

Adults with a Disability (2022):

19.0%

Shelby County

Adults Reading At/Below
an 8th Grade Level:

42.4%

The image presents an infographic about the Appalachian Learning Initiative in Shelby County, Alabama. The central focus is a circular map highlighting Shelby County and surrounding areas: Jefferson, St. Clair, Talladega, Clay, Coosa, Chilton, and Bibb. The map uses different colors to differentiate each area. On the left, there are four red silhouette icons representing people, signifying a statistic in red text: "42.4% of Shelby County adults read at or below an 8th Grade level." On the right, three statistics are displayed in red: "16.9% of Shelby County residents earn below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level," "13.1% of Shelby County adults haven't completed high school," and "7.3% of Shelby County residents lack health insurance." The top text notes the population as 233,000. At the bottom, the Appalachian Learning Initiative logo and web address are shown, with the National Center for Education Statistics, 2020 as the source. Social media icons for Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, along with the handle "@APPLIORG," are present for further engagement.
The image is an infographic from the Appalachian Learning Initiative focused on Shelby County, Alabama, with a population of 233,000. The top part of the image displays the title "Appalachian Learning Initiative" in white text on a dark blue background. Below it, several statistics are presented in white and orange text alongside representative icons. On the left, there is a row of five human silhouettes; three white and two orange, symbolizing "52.2% of Shelby County adults struggle with basic math" in white text. To the right, a circle contains a color-coded map highlighting different counties, with Shelby County marked. Next to it, the text reads "11.2% of Shelby County residents live in extreme poverty" in white. Further down, "10.4% of Shelby County residents rely on SNAP for Nutrition Assistance" is presented in the same manner. At the bottom left, a white and orange APPLI logo appears with the text "Appalachian Learning Initiative" www.appli.org. Below the logo, it states "National Center for Education Statistics, 2020." The lower right corner invites viewers to "Follow us @APPLIOorg" with associated social media icons.

Adults Struggling with Basic Mathematics:

52.2%

Demographics (2023)

Population:

Male:

Female:

White:

Black:

Hispanic:

Asian:

American Indian /
Alaska Native:

Native Hawaiian /
Pacific Islander:

Other:

233,000

48.7%

51.3%

80.7%

14.7%

7.6%

2.4%

0.5%

0.1%

1.7%

Quality of Life Statistics

Adults Who Haven't
Finished High School (2023):

13.1%

Residents Earning Below
150% of the Federal
Poverty Level (2023):

16.9%

Residents Earning Below 100%
of the Federal Poverty Level:

11.2%

Residents Who Rely on SNAP
for Nutrition Assistance (2023):

10.4%

Residents Who Lack
Health Insurance (2023):

7.3%

Residents Spending
50%+of Their Income
on Housing (2023):

6.7%

Residents Facing
Food Insecurity (2022):

15.2%

Households Paying $200+ Per Month on Electricity (2023):

58.8%

Public Health Statistics

Drug Overdose
Death Rate (2022):

28.7

HIV Diagnoses Rate (2022):

4.1

HIV Prevalence (2022):

178.5

Adults Who Currently
Smoke Cigarettes (2023):

10.7%

Adults Living with
Obesity (2022):

10.9%

Adults with Diabetes (2022):

10.9%

Adults with Asthma (2022):

9.5%

Adults with COPD (2022):

5.5%

Adults with CHD (2022):

6.1%

Adults with a Disability (2022):

12.0%

St. Clair County

Adults Reading At/Below
an 8th Grade Level:

61.6%

The image is an infographic titled "Appalachian Learning Initiative: St. Clair County, Alabama" with a reported population of 95,552. It is divided into sections highlighting various statistics. On the left, an arrangement of five human icons in shades of gray to red emphasizes that 61.6% of adults read at or below an 8th-grade level. In the center, a circular map shows St. Clair County surrounded by neighboring counties colored in various shades. To the right, bold percentages highlight socioeconomic issues: 11.7% of residents earn below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, while 6.7% lack health insurance, and another 6.7% have not completed high school. At the bottom is the Appalachian Learning Initiative logo and icons for social media, encouraging viewers to follow @APPLIOrg.
The image is an infographic from the Appalachian Learning Initiative focusing on St. Clair County, Alabama, highlighting various social and economic statistics. The background is dark blue with white text. At the top, the title reads “Appalachian Learning Initiative, St. Clair County, Alabama” with the population listed as 95,552. Below, a series of statistics are presented with accompanying graphics: On the left, five human figures illustrate that 70.7% of St. Clair County adults struggle with basic math, with some figures shaded orange to represent the percentage. In the center, a circular map shows St. Clair County highlighted among neighboring counties. On the right, statistics reveal 9.6% of residents spend at least 50% of their income on housing, and 6.9% live in extreme poverty. At the bottom, it states that 4.9% of residents rely on SNAP for Nutrition Assistance. The Appalachian Learning Initiative logo is at the bottom left, and contact information with icons for various social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) is on the bottom right. A credit line at the bottom notes the source as the National Center for Education Statistics, 2020.

Adults Struggling with Basic Mathematics:

70.7%

Demographics (2023)

Population:

Male:

Female:

White:

Black:

Hispanic:

Asian:

American Indian /
Alaska Native:

Native Hawaiian /
Pacific Islander:

Other:

95,552

49.5%

50.5%

85.5%

11.4%

3.0%

0.8%

0.4%

0.1%

1.7%

Quality of Life Statistics

Adults Who Haven't
Finished High School (2023):

6.7%

Residents Earning Below
150% of the Federal
Poverty Level (2023):

11.7%

Residents Earning Below 100%
of the Federal Poverty Level:

6.9%

Residents Who Rely on SNAP
for Nutrition Assistance (2023):

4.9%

Residents Who Lack
Health Insurance (2023):

6.7%

Residents Spending
50%+of Their Income
on Housing (2023):

9.6%

Residents Facing
Food Insecurity (2022):

12.5%

Households Paying $200+ Per Month on Electricity (2023):

54.3%

Public Health Statistics

Drug Overdose
Death Rate (2022):

47.9

HIV Diagnoses Rate (2022):

Suppressed

HIV Prevalence (2022):

165.9

Adults Who Currently
Smoke Cigarettes (2023):

15.3%

Adults Living with
Obesity (2022):

12.6%

Adults with Diabetes (2022):

12.6%

Adults with Asthma (2022):

9.9%

Adults with COPD (2022):

7.9%

Adults with CHD (2022):

7.6%

Adults with a Disability (2022):

16.3%

Talladega County

Adults Reading At/Below
an 8th Grade Level:

69.0%

The image is an infographic about Talladega County, Alabama, provided by the Appalachian Learning Initiative. It features several textual statistics around a central map circle highlighting Talladega County and its neighboring areas like St. Clair and Coosa, using distinct colors for each region. The top text presents the title, "Appalachian Learning Initiative Talladega County, Alabama," and states the population as 81,132. The left side displays a graphic of six human icons in shades from gray to red, indicating 69% of Talladega County adults read at or below an 8th-grade level. To the right, it states 28.2% of residents earn below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level and 15.2% of adults haven’t completed high school. Below, 8.4% of residents lack health insurance. At the bottom, the APPLI (Appalachian Learning Initiative) logo is present, along with the National Center for Education Statistics, 2020. Social media icons follow the text "Follow us @APPLIOrg."
The image is an infographic highlighting key statistics about Talladega County, Alabama, as part of the Appalachian Learning Initiative. The background is dark blue with white and orange text. The central image is a circular map highlighting counties in Alabama, with Talladega County colored red. Each statistic is accompanied by its icon or symbol. On the left, there is a group of five stylized figures, with one orange, representing the percentage of adults struggling with basic math. The text below states, "76.8% of Talladega County adults struggle with basic math." On the right, three statistics with descriptive text explain socioeconomic challenges in Talladega County: "17.7% of residents live in extreme poverty," "11.3% of residents spend at least 50% of their income on housing," and "16.3% of residents rely on SNAP for Nutrition Assistance." The bottom includes the logo and name of APPLI, and contact information with social media icons.

Adults Struggling with Basic Mathematics:

76.8%

Demographics (2023)

Population:

Male:

Female:

White:

Black:

Hispanic:

Asian:

American Indian /
Alaska Native:

Native Hawaiian /
Pacific Islander:

Other:

81,132

48.6%

51.4%

64.2%

32.7%

2.4%

0.7%

0.4%

0.0%

2.0%

Quality of Life Statistics

Adults Who Haven't
Finished High School (2023):

15.2%

Residents Earning Below
150% of the Federal
Poverty Level (2023):

28.2%

Residents Earning Below 100%
of the Federal Poverty Level:

17.7%

Residents Who Rely on SNAP
for Nutrition Assistance (2023):

16.3%

Residents Who Lack
Health Insurance (2023):

8.4%

Residents Spending
50%+of Their Income
on Housing (2023):

11.3%

Residents Facing
Food Insecurity (2022):

18.1%

Households Paying $200+ Per Month on Electricity (2023):

59.6%

Public Health Statistics

Drug Overdose
Death Rate (2022):

18.6

HIV Diagnoses Rate (2022):

7.2

HIV Prevalence (2022):

261.1

Adults Who Currently
Smoke Cigarettes (2023):

18.2%

Adults Living with
Obesity (2022):

16.9%

Adults with Diabetes (2022):

16.9%

Adults with Asthma (2022):

11.4%

Adults with COPD (2022):

10.3%

Adults with CHD (2022):

9.0%

Adults with a Disability (2022):

21.5%

Tallapoosa County

Adults Reading At/Below
an 8th Grade Level:

66.9%

The image is an infographic detailing statistics about Tallapoosa County, Alabama, from the Appalachian Learning Initiative. It features a headline at the top with "Appalachian Learning Initiative Tallapoosa County, Alabama" and indicates a population of 40,677. There are several statistics presented, accompanied by icons and a map. On the left, a row of five people icons, with two colored differently, symbolizes a statistic. Below, text states "66.9% of Tallapoosa County adults read at or below an 8th Grade level." A circular map of Alabama counties highlights Tallapoosa in yellow, among other nearby counties in different colors, such as Coosa, Elmore, Macon, Clay, and others. Other data points are listed around the map: "23.6% of Tallapoosa County residents earn below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level," "8.9% of Tallapoosa County residents lack health insurance," and "15.7% of Tallapoosa County adults haven’t completed high school." At the bottom, the logo for APPLI shows a stylized open book, with social media icons below it and a note to follow "@APPLIOrg." The infographic cites the National Center for Education Statistics, 2020.
The image is an infographic highlighting educational and socioeconomic statistics for Tallapoosa County, Alabama, presented by the Appalachian Learning Initiative. The background is dark blue with white and orange text. At the top, the title states the population as 40,677. On the left, there is a row of pictograms representing people, with three in white and two in orange, symbolizing that 74.5% of adults struggle with basic math. In the middle, a circular map illustrates surrounding counties with Tallapoosa highlighted in orange. Other counties shown are Coosa, Clay, Randolph, Chambers, Elmore, and Macon, each in different colors. On the right, various statistics are listed: 16.4% of residents rely on SNAP for assistance, 15.2% live in extreme poverty, and 8.0% spend at least 50% of their income on housing. The bottom left corner features the APPLI logo. Social media icons appear on the bottom right, along with a note stating the data source is the National Center for Education Statistics, 2020.

Adults Struggling with Basic Mathematics:

74.5%

Demographics (2023)

Population:

Male:

Female:

White:

Black:

Hispanic:

Asian:

American Indian /
Alaska Native:

Native Hawaiian /
Pacific Islander:

Other:

40,677

48.9%

51.1%

70.7%

26.8%

2.9%

0.6%

0.4%

0.1%

1.5%

Quality of Life Statistics

Adults Who Haven't
Finished High School (2023):

15.7%

Residents Earning Below
150% of the Federal
Poverty Level (2023):

23.6%

Residents Earning Below 100%
of the Federal Poverty Level:

15.2%

Residents Who Rely on SNAP
for Nutrition Assistance (2023):

16.4%

Residents Who Lack
Health Insurance (2023):

8.9%

Residents Spending
50%+of Their Income
on Housing (2023):

8.0%

Residents Facing
Food Insecurity (2022):

17.6%

Households Paying $200+ Per Month on Electricity (2023):

54.9%

Public Health Statistics

Drug Overdose
Death Rate (2022):

Suppressed

HIV Diagnoses Rate (2022):

Suppressed

HIV Prevalence (2022):

229.1

Adults Who Currently
Smoke Cigarettes (2023):

17.3%

Adults Living with
Obesity (2022):

16.9%

Adults with Diabetes (2022):

16.9%

Adults with Asthma (2022):

10.7%

Adults with COPD (2022):

10.6%

Adults with CHD (2022):

10.1%

Adults with a Disability (2022):

20.8%

bottom of page