Alabama
WalletHub says Alabama among worst states for working moms. Here’s why
Watch adopted daughter share moving first conversation with birth mom
Adopted at just 6 months old, Sarah Elizabeth Segrest finally found her birth mom in Vietnam and they were reunited on a video call.
Balancing a career and raising a family is no small task, and where you live can make a big difference in how manageable that balance feels.
For working mothers in Alabama, achieving this balance may be especially challenging. In a recent analysis by WalletHub, Alabama ranked 50th out of 51 (including Washington, D.C.) for working moms.
From childcare costs to workplace advancement, working mothers across Alabama face challenges that contribute to the state’s low national ranking.
Here’s how Alabama ranks in WalletHub’s analysis.
Working moms in Alabama are struggling
Alabama ranked 50th out of 51 states, with an overall score of 27.29 out of 100, based on assessments across several key categories affecting working mothers.
- Childcare systems: 47th nationally.
- Professional opportunities: 49th.
- Female executive representation: 49th.
- Work-life balance: 43rd.
The state also performed poorly in the quality and availability of the daycare system, according to the report.
These rankings mirror the daily realities for many working mothers in Alabama, who weigh affordability, career growth and family care.
Limited access to high-quality childcare can make full-time employment more difficult, while fewer women in leadership roles may signal narrower career advancement paths. These challenges are especially significant for households balancing rising living costs with child-rearing responsibilities.
WalletHub expert insight
WalletHub noted that women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, and about 74% of mothers with children under 18 are employed, underscoring the importance of supportive workplace and childcare systems.
“The U.S. still has a lot of work to do when it comes to improving conditions for working moms, given the wage gap and the lack of representation women have in certain leadership positions,” said Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst.
Top states for mothers:
In contrast to Alabama’s low ranking, several states excel in support for working mothers. Here are the top 10:
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- New Jersey
- Vermont
- Maine
- Minnesota
- District of Columbia
- New York
- North Dakota
The worst states for mothers:
Notably, Alabama joins other states struggling across key measures. Here are the bottom 10:
- Louisiana
- Alabama
- New Mexico
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- Arizona
- South Carolina
- West Virginia
- Texas
- Idaho
WalletHub’s methodology
WalletHub’s analysis compares all 50 states and Washington, D.C., across 17 metrics in three categories—childcare, professional opportunities, and work-life balance—including childcare quality and costs, gender pay gaps, women’s leadership, parental leave policies and access to health care.
Each state was scored on a 100-point scale and ranked by overall performance across these measures.
Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter in Alabama for USA TODAY’s Deep South Connect Team. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@usatodayco.com.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Two long-vacant Montgomery properties are slated to undergo significant redevelopment after being bought by an Alabama-based investment group.
Leitman Perlman, a Birmingham commercial real estate company, announced Monday that Noble Investments, an investment management firm located in Anniston, has purchased 1702 Norman Bridge Road and 1614 South Decatur Street for a combined $480,000.
According to Leitman Perlman, the purchase is part of an ongoing effort by Noble Investments to revitalize the surrounding neighborhood and promote long-term stability within the community.
The property at 1702 Norman Bridge Road once served as a medical office building but has remained vacant since 2013. Similarly, the property at 1614 South Decatur street currently houses a vacant neighborhood strip center that has been underutilized for many years.
Noble said it will clear out the buildings over the summer to prepare them for future tenants and will look to lease the spaces to local small business owners.
Mark Cornwell, CEO of Noble Investments called the properties part of a much larger commitment to the area.
“This corridor holds significance for our team and me personally,” he said. “I grew up in this area, I’ve driven by these buildings my whole life, and my family still lives in the neighborhood. Noble’s investment here has been steadily increasing with a long-term perspective, it’s personal.”
Cornwell said the end goal is to create spaces that are clean, safe and economically viable for residents and local entrepreneurs.
In 2019, Montgomery Investment Group, a sister company of Noble Investments, acquired and redeveloped the nearby Flats on Felder apartment complex along Felder Avenue. More recently, Noble purchased 1708 Norman Bridge Road. The space is now home to two small business.
The company has invested more than $23.5 million in River Region developments since 2017.
Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store!
Copyright 2026 WSFA. All rights reserved.
RADAR CHECK: Large areas of mostly light rain are moving across North/Central Alabama early this morning in the humid, tropical air over the state. A flash flood watch is in effect for the Tennessee Valley, and much of Northeast Alabama today; this is where some spots received 5-8 inches of rain yesterday with major flash flooding issues. Major creeks, streams, and rivers are out of their banks.
People in flood prone areas need to pay attention to flash flood warnings later today if they are needed, and as always, “turn around, don’t drown”. The southern half of Alabama will be much drier with only isolated showers around. Expect a high today in the low to mid 80s.
REST OF THE WEEK: Understand we are in the time of the year when you will have the risk of a pop-up afternoon shower or storm just about every afternoon, and that chance will stay in the forecast daily. But, they should be fewer in number after today as an upper ridge rebuilds across the Deep South. This will also mean higher heat levels; expect highs in the upper 80s and low 90s with a mix of sun and clouds each day.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The ridge weakens again, the air aloft will be a little colder, and the air more unstable. So, scattered showers and thunderstorms will likely be a little more numerous Saturday and Sunday. Highest chance of rain will come from noon to midnight, and highs will be in the 86-91 degree range. The sun will be out at times, and the weekend won’t be a total “wash-out”.
NEXT WEEK: Global models suggest the pattern will favor scattered to numerous showers and storms daily
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – People from across North Alabama went to Redstone Arsenal on Saturday night to celebrate the 251st birthday of the U.S. Army.
The Redstone Gateway hosted live music, food, games, and fireworks to mark the occasion. The gateway is one of the few parts of the Arsenal that is open to the public.
The event gave kids a chance to see real military equipment up close, including helicopters and Humvees.
“They love to see the Chinook especially, which is right behind me,” said Stephanie Stone, Marketing and Special Events Manager for MWR. “A lot of kids are amazed at all the Army vehicles that we have on display here. It’s hard to say if they’re more interested in the inflatables or the Army assets.”
Congress approved the Continental Army on June 14, 1775, a full year before the Declaration of Independence.
Click Here to Subscribe on YouTube: Watch the latest WAFF 48 news, sports & weather videos on our YouTube channel!
Copyright 2026 WAFF. All rights reserved.
-
New York16 minutes agoKeeping an Eye Out for Rabid Raccoons
-
Los Angeles, Ca22 minutes agoFather killed twin boys, shot at mother before taking his life in suspected Canoga Park murder-suicide: LAPD
-
Detroit, MI44 minutes ago14-year-old boy shot in chest during Detroit teen takeover testifies in court
-
San Francisco, CA52 minutes agoOpenAI confidentially files for IPO, signaling major public debut for SF AI company
-
Dallas, TX59 minutes agoDefense rests in Karmelo Anthony trial
-
Miami, FL1 hour agoNew inductees to the Miami-Dade County Women’s Hall of Fame | Featured#
-
Boston, MA1 hour agoBoston high school student in STEM aviation program flies plane for first time
-
Denver, CO1 hour agoPhotos: Hail larger than a quarter in Denver area Monday afternoon
