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

Tuscaloosa County

Adults Reading At/Below
an 8th Grade Level:

57.7%

The image is an infographic titled "Appalachian Learning Initiative Tuscaloosa County, Alabama" with a listed population of 237,373. It features several statistics presented in bold, red typography and accompanied by simplified human icons in gray and red. The statistics highlight the county’s educational and economic challenges: 57.7% of adults read at or below an 8th-grade level, 25.8% live below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, 8.2% haven’t completed high school, and 6.7% lack health insurance. A circular map in the center shows Tuscaloosa and surrounding counties labeled in varied colors including green, yellow, and red to distinguish different areas. At the bottom, a logo for the Appalachian Learning Initiative is displayed alongside the text stating "National Center for Education Statistics, 2020." Social media icons are displayed next to an invitation to follow @APPLIOrg.
The image is a graphic displaying statistics about Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, presented by the Appalachian Learning Initiative. The background is dark blue, and the text and graphics are in white, orange, and green tones. At the top, large white text reads "Appalachian Learning Initiative Tuscaloosa County, Alabama Population: 237,373." Below, on the left, there are simplified figures in white and orange, representing 67.5% of the county's adults struggling with basic math. Nearby, white text displays "67.5% of Tuscaloosa County adults struggle with basic math." To the right, percentages and topics are itemized: "16.7% of Tuscaloosa County residents live in extreme poverty," "14.0% of residents spend at least 50% of their income on housing," and "11.4% rely on SNAP for Nutrition Assistance." A circular map in the center highlights Tuscaloosa County and its surrounding areas in different colors. The bottom section includes a logo labeled "APPLI" alongside social media icons. The text “National Center for Education Statistics, 2020” is also displayed.

Adults Struggling with Basic Mathematics:

67.5%

Demographics (2023)

Population:

Male:

Female:

White:

Black:

Hispanic:

Asian:

American Indian /
Alaska Native:

Native Hawaiian /
Pacific Islander:

Other:

237,373

48.2%

51.8%

63.7%

32.6%

5.5%

1.7%

0.4%

0.1%

1.4%

Quality of Life Statistics

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

8.2%

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

25.8%

Residents Earning Below 100%
of the Federal Poverty Level:

16.7%

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

11.4%

Residents Who Lack
Health Insurance (2023):

6.7%

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

14.0%

Residents Facing
Food Insecurity (2022):

15.2%

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

50.1%

Public Health Statistics

Drug Overdose
Death Rate (2022):

19.0

HIV Diagnoses Rate (2022):

14.3

HIV Prevalence (2022):

287.3

Adults Who Currently
Smoke Cigarettes (2023):

16.2%

Adults Living with
Obesity (2022):

12.2%

Adults with Diabetes (2022):

12.2%

Adults with Asthma (2022):

10.8%

Adults with COPD (2022):

7.4%

Adults with CHD (2022):

6.5%

Adults with a Disability (2022):

12.5%

Walker County

Adults Reading At/Below
an 8th Grade Level:

67.4%

The image is an informational graphic about Walker County, Alabama, presented by the Appalachian Learning Initiative. At the top, the text reads "Appalachian Learning Initiative Walker County, Alabama Population: 64,728." Below, various statistics about the county are given. On the left, a row of five human figures is depicted, with four figures in a gradient of red to grey, next to the statistic "67.4% of Walker County adults read at or below an 8th Grade level." In the center, there is a map highlighting Walker County in orange, surrounded by other counties in different colors such as Cullman in yellow and Jefferson in green. On the right side, the following statistics are presented in large red text: "28.1% of Walker County residents earn below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level," "11.6% of Walker County residents lack health insurance," and "16.9% of Walker County adults haven't completed high school." At the bottom, the APPLI logo is displayed, and there is a note, "National Center for Education Statistics, 2020." Social media icons for Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube appear with the text, "Follow us @APPLIOrg."
The image is an infographic titled "Appalachian Learning Initiative Walker County, Alabama," with a reported population of 64,728. The background is dark blue. On the left, a graphic shows four human figures; three are white, and one is orange. Below it, the statistic reads, "75.6% of Walker County adults struggle with basic math." Below this, the logo for APPLI (Appalachian Learning Initiative) is displayed with a stylized mountain range. To the right of the human figures, there is a circular map of Alabama with counties labeled, highlighting Walker County in orange. Other counties, such as Winston, Cullman, Blount, Jefferson, and Tuscaloosa, are also labeled. On the right side are additional statistics: "18.0% of Walker County residents live in extreme poverty," "14.2% of Walker County residents rely on SNAP for Nutrition Assistance," and "9.6% of Walker County residents spend at least 50% of their income on housing." The bottom right corner has social media icons for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube, with the handle @APPLOrg and the website www.appli.org.

Adults Struggling with Basic Mathematics:

75.6%

Demographics (2023)

Population:

Male:

Female:

White:

Black:

Hispanic:

Asian:

American Indian /
Alaska Native:

Native Hawaiian /
Pacific Islander:

Other:

64,728

48.7%

51.3%

90.7%

6.3%

3.9%

0.5%

0.6%

0.1%

1.8%

Quality of Life Statistics

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

16.9%

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

28.1%

Residents Earning Below 100%
of the Federal Poverty Level:

18.0%

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

14.2%

Residents Who Lack
Health Insurance (2023):

11.6%

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

9.6%

Residents Facing
Food Insecurity (2022):

19.5%

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

60.9%

Public Health Statistics

Drug Overdose
Death Rate (2022):

71.5

HIV Diagnoses Rate (2022):

Suppressed

HIV Prevalence (2022):

142.2

Adults Who Currently
Smoke Cigarettes (2023):

21.2%

Adults Living with
Obesity (2022):

15.8%

Adults with Diabetes (2022):

15.8%

Adults with Asthma (2022):

11.0%

Adults with COPD (2022):

12.4%

Adults with CHD (2022):

10.1%

Adults with a Disability (2022):

24.3%

Winston County

Adults Reading At/Below
an 8th Grade Level:

66.9%

The image is an infographic by the Appalachian Learning Initiative about Winston County, Alabama, with a population of 23,611. It features statistics on education and income levels. At the top, the text states the organization's name and the county. The left side of the image shows a group of stylized figures, with one highlighted in red, symbolizing that 66.9% of adults read at or below an 8th-grade level. Beneath this is a map of several surrounding counties with Winston County centrally located in red. On the right, there are additional statistics: 31.8% of residents earn below 150% of the federal poverty level, and 21.1% of adults haven't completed high school. At the bottom are logos and a prompt to follow the organization on social media.
The image is an informational graphic about the Appalachian Learning Initiative in Winston County, Alabama, featuring a dark blue background. At the top, the text indicates that the population of Winston County is 23,611. The image includes statistical data represented both textually and visually. On the left, four white person icons and one orange icon signify a percentage; beneath them, it states that 74% of Winston County adults struggle with basic math. A small map of part of Alabama shows Winston and neighboring counties in various colors, positioned centrally on the right. Additional statistics are listed around the map: 19.5% of residents live in extreme poverty, 15.3% rely on SNAP for nutrition assistance, and 7.0% spend at least 50% of their income on housing. The bottom left corner features the logo for the Appalachian Learning Initiative and its website, www.appli.org. The bottom right corner encourages following @APPLIOrg on social media platforms represented by icons of YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. The data is cited from the National Center for Education Statistics, 2020.

Adults Struggling with Basic Mathematics:

74.0%

Demographics (2023)

Population:

Male:

Female:

White:

Black:

Hispanic:

Asian:

American Indian /
Alaska Native:

Native Hawaiian /
Pacific Islander:

Other:

23,611

49.8%

50.2%

95.4%

1.2%

3.8%

0.4%

1.0%

0.2%

1.8%

Quality of Life Statistics

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

21.1%

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

31.8%

Residents Earning Below 100%
of the Federal Poverty Level:

19.5%

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

15.3%

Residents Who Lack
Health Insurance (2023):

9.4%

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

7.0%

Residents Facing
Food Insecurity (2022):

20.0%

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

59.7%

Public Health Statistics

Drug Overdose
Death Rate (2022):

Suppressed

HIV Diagnoses Rate (2022):

Suppressed

HIV Prevalence (2022):

73.4

Adults Who Currently
Smoke Cigarettes (2023):

17.6%

Adults Living with
Obesity (2022):

15.5%

Adults with Diabetes (2022):

15.5%

Adults with Asthma (2022):

10.1%

Adults with COPD (2022):

11.6%

Adults with CHD (2022):

10.6%

Adults with a Disability (2022):

22.5%

Banks County

Adults Reading At/Below
an 8th Grade Level:

72.4%

The image presents statistical information about Banks County, Georgia, provided by the Appalachian Learning Initiative. At the top, the text states "Appalachian Learning Initiative Banks County, Georgia" followed by "Population: 19,789". Below, on the left, five red and gray human icons indicate that "72.4% of Banks County adults read at or below an 8th Grade level." Within the bottom-left corner, there's a colorful map showing Banks County and surrounding areas, with different regions labeled, including Banks, Franklin, Madison, Jackson, Hall, and others. To the right, there are three data points: "24.2% of Banks County residents earn below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level", "11.8% of Banks County residents lack health insurance", and "17.3% of Banks County adults haven't graduated high school." At the bottom, there's the Appalachian Learning Initiative logo with "APPLI" over a stylized book spine. Below is the source "National Center for Education Statistics, 2020". In the lower right, there are icons for social media with the text "Follow us @APPLIOrg:".
The image is an infographic about the Appalachian Learning Initiative in Banks County, Georgia, with a population of 19,789. The background is dark blue. At the top, bold white text states the title and population details. Below, on the left, are five white people icons with one shaded differently, symbolizing a statistic about math proficiency. Next to it, text highlights that 82.4% of adults struggle with basic math. In the center is a colorful map of counties, with Banks County highlighted in red. To the right, three statistical facts: 12.8% live in extreme poverty, 9.4% spend over 50% of their income on housing, and 8.9% rely on SNAP for assistance. At the bottom left is the APPLI logo with "Appalachian Learning Initiative www.appli.org" text. On the bottom right are social media icons with a handle, "@APPLIOrg," and the source "National Center for Education Statistics, 2020."

Adults Struggling with Basic Mathematics:

82.4%

Demographics (2023)

Population:

Male:

Female:

White:

Black:

Hispanic:

Asian:

American Indian /
Alaska Native:

Native Hawaiian /
Pacific Islander:

Other:

19,789

50.7%

49.3%

92.0%

3.7%

7.6%

1.6%

0.7%

0.1%

2.0%

Quality of Life Statistics

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

20.5%

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

22.6%

Residents Earning Below 100%
of the Federal Poverty Level:

13.2%

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

9.3%

Residents Who Lack
Health Insurance (2023):

17.3%

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

15.7%

Residents Facing
Food Insecurity (2022):

15.4%

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

42.4%

Public Health Statistics

Drug Overdose
Death Rate (2022):

Suppressed

HIV Diagnoses Rate (2022):

0.0

HIV Prevalence (2022):

164.1

Adults Who Currently
Smoke Cigarettes (2023):

21.5%

Adults Living with
Obesity (2022):

12.9%

Adults with Diabetes (2022):

12.9%

Adults with Asthma (2022):

11.1%

Adults with COPD (2022):

10.3%

Adults with CHD (2022):

7.9%

Adults with a Disability (2022):

18.9%

Barrow County

Adults Reading At/Below
an 8th Grade Level:

61.9%

The image is an infographic titled "Appalachian Learning Initiative Barrow County, Georgia" with a focus on educational and economic statistics. The population is listed as 92,792. On the left, red human icons indicate that 61.9% of Barrow County adults read at or below an 8th-grade level. Below, it states that 13.2% of adults haven’t graduated high school. In the center, a map shows Barrow and neighboring counties in different colors: Barrow (yellow), Jackson (orange), Banks (red), Madison (pink), Hall (green), Gwinnett (light green), and Forsyth (blue). On the right, it states that 19.7% of residents earn below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, and 15.4% lack health insurance. The bottom features the APPLI logo with social media icons and the source noted from the National Center for Education Statistics, 2020.
The image is a visually informative graphic about Barrow County, Georgia, provided by the Appalachian Learning Initiative. It has a blue background with white and gold text. The top portion states the population of Barrow County as 92,792. Below is a bar chart with four human figures, three in white and one in gold, symbolizing that 73.1% of adults in Barrow County struggle with basic math. A circular map in the center highlights Barrow County, surrounded by areas such as Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Banks, and Madison. Statistics on the right describe economic challenges: 10.2% of residents spend at least 50% of their income on housing, 10.1% live in extreme poverty, and 10.2% rely on SNAP for nutrition assistance. The logo for the Appalachian Learning Initiative is at the bottom left, with social media icons for contact in the lower right corner.

Adults Struggling with Basic Mathematics:

73.1%

Demographics (2023)

Population:

Male:

Female:

White:

Black:

Hispanic:

Asian:

American Indian /
Alaska Native:

Native Hawaiian /
Pacific Islander:

Other:

92,792

49.3%

50.7%

76.1%

15.9%

16.3%

4.4%

0.7%

0.2%

2.7%

Quality of Life Statistics

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

13.1%

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

19.1%

Residents Earning Below 100%
of the Federal Poverty Level:

9.6%

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

11.6%

Residents Who Lack
Health Insurance (2023):

12.5%

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

21.4%

Residents Facing
Food Insecurity (2022):

12.1%

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

43.0%

Public Health Statistics

Drug Overdose
Death Rate (2022):

44.8

HIV Diagnoses Rate (2022):

21.7

HIV Prevalence (2022):

216.5

Adults Who Currently
Smoke Cigarettes (2023):

14.4%

Adults Living with
Obesity (2022):

11.4%

Adults with Diabetes (2022):

11.4%

Adults with Asthma (2022):

10.2%

Adults with COPD (2022):

7.0%

Adults with CHD (2022):

6.1%

Adults with a Disability (2022):

13.1%

bottom of page