See the 14 Alabama counties where child care is most expensive

Rising child care costs in Alabama have left families in some counties paying more $10,000 each year, according to the National Database of Childcare Prices.

Child care costs for families rose roughly 11% in four years. In 2022, most Alabama families with a toddler in center-based care are paying a minimum of $5,000 each year — the state average in 2022 was $6,814 annually.

Alabama also faces a child care supply gap: Four in 10 children lack access to quality, licensed child care programs, experts say.

The most expensive places to find child care, on average, are in Central and North Alabama, according to national data.

The data points average weekly, full-time child care costs.

Don’t see your county? Look here.

St. Clair County

Average annual cost for center-based toddler and infant care: $10,313

Average annual cost for center-based preschool care: $9,199

Median annual family income: $65,281

Number of DHR licensed, center-based child care programs: 8

Blount County

Average annual cost for center-based toddler and infant care: $10,313

Average annual cost for center-based preschool care: $9,199

Median annual family income: $59,882

Number of DHR licensed, center-based child care programs: 14

Walker County

Average annual cost for center-based toddler and infant care: $10,313

Average annual cost for center-based preschool care: $9,199

Median annual family income: $54,590

Number of DHR licensed, center-based child care programs: 15

Jefferson County

Average annual cost for center-based toddler and infant care: $10,089

Average annual cost for center-based preschool care: $8,998

Median annual family income: $67,455

Number of DHR licensed, center-based child care programs: 241

Shelby County

Average annual cost for center-based toddler and infant care: $9,985

Average annual cost for center-based preschool care: $8,906

Median annual family income: $91,806

Number of DHR licensed, center-based child care programs: 39

Lawrence County

Average annual cost for center-based toddler and infant care: $8,084

Average annual cost for center-based preschool care: $7,153

Median annual family income: $54,632

Number of DHR licensed, center-based child care programs: 7

Cullman County

Average annual cost for center-based toddler and infant care: $8,084

Average annual cost for center-based preschool care: $7,153

Median annual family income: $53,354

Number of DHR licensed, center-based child care programs: 18

Franklin County

Average annual cost for center-based toddler and infant care: $8,084

Average annual cost for center-based preschool care: $7,153

Median annual family income: $48,380

Number of DHR licensed, center-based child care programs: 8

Winston County

Average annual cost for center-based toddler and infant care: $8,084

Average annual cost for center-based preschool care: $7,153

Median annual family income: $48,248

Number of DHR licensed, center-based child care programs: 7

Madison County