Bessemer city, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Bessemer city, Alabama has a total population of 25,655, the 24th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $37,844, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.8% is notably above the national average.
Bessemer city Quick Facts
How Bessemer city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 52 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bessemer city Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Cities Similar to Bessemer city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston city | 21,377 | $44,806 | $141,600 | 21.5% | 20.1% |
| Gadsden city | 33,617 | $38,699 | $101,900 | 14.8% | 27.6% |
| Prichard city | 19,121 | $35,331 | $79,900 | 9.4% | 32.1% |
| Albertville city | 22,584 | $57,103 | $158,900 | 20.9% | 17.1% |
| Athens city | 27,474 | $65,000 | $253,700 | 30.8% | 13.5% |
Population Overview
Bessemer city is a mid-sized community located in Alabama. The total population is 25,655. It ranks as the 24th most populous out of 589 cities and towns in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bessemer city is 42.8 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bessemer city is $37,844. This is 39% lower than the state median of $62,027. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 52% lower. The poverty rate stands at 30.7%. This is 97% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 8.8%. This is 82% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $129,800. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $195,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 55.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 69.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bessemer city is Black or African American, making up 70.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 18.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (18.5%) is well below the state average of 63.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (70.6% vs 25.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (8.2% vs 5.4%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
14.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 27.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bessemer city, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 589 Census-designated places in Alabama. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bessemer city, Alabama?
Bessemer city, Alabama has a population of 25,655 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bessemer city, AL?
The median household income in Bessemer city is $37,844, which is 52% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Bessemer city, AL?
The poverty rate in Bessemer city is 30.7%. This means approximately 7,735 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bessemer city, Alabama?
Bessemer city's population is 18.5% White, 70.6% Black, 8.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bessemer city, AL?
The median home value in Bessemer city is $129,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Bessemer city, Alabama?
14.4% of adults (25+) in Bessemer city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.