Bessemer, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bessemer, Alabama had a total population of 25,400, the 24th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $39,613, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.6% is notably above the national average.
Bessemer Quick Facts
How Bessemer Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,655 | 25,400 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $37,844 | $39,613 | +4.7% |
| Median home value | $129,800 | $135,900 | +4.7% |
How Bessemer Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bessemer Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 198,173 | $46,051 | 24.7% | $158,800 |
| Hoover | 92,642 | $109,253 | 5.1% | $412,200 |
| Vestavia Hills | 38,616 | $134,369 | 10.0% | $530,000 |
| Homewood | 27,829 | $94,485 | 8.9% | $558,500 |
| Trussville | 26,673 | $123,275 | 1.1% | $370,300 |
| Mountain Brook | 22,029 | $201,479 | 3.2% | $916,300 |
| Helena | 21,769 | $115,139 | 3.2% | $330,700 |
| Gardendale | 16,534 | $82,192 | 4.3% | $252,600 |
| Hueytown | 16,414 | $62,784 | 16.2% | $155,300 |
| Center Point | 15,914 | $56,417 | 14.3% | $151,700 |
Cities Similar to Bessemer
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston | 21,271 | $46,668 | $158,800 | 20.5% | 20.6% |
| Albertville | 22,813 | $56,099 | $188,400 | 21.1% | 18.2% |
| Gadsden | 33,374 | $40,345 | $116,800 | 15.5% | 28.1% |
| Foley | 24,026 | $66,336 | $289,300 | 24.6% | 11.0% |
| Prichard | 18,961 | $36,588 | $85,700 | 10.8% | 30.6% |
Population Overview
Bessemer is a mid-sized community located in Alabama, within Jefferson County. The total population is 25,400. It ranks as the 24th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bessemer is 43.3 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bessemer is $39,613. This is 38% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 51% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.0%. This is 79% 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 8.6%. This is 82% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $135,900. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 57.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bessemer is Black or African American, making up 66.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 20.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (20.5%) is well below the state average of 63.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (66.6% vs 25.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (10.4% vs 5.6%). The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
15.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 28.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bessemer, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 592 Census-designated places in Alabama. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bessemer, Alabama?
Bessemer, Alabama has a population of 25,400 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bessemer, AL?
The median household income in Bessemer is $39,613, which is 51% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bessemer, AL?
The poverty rate in Bessemer is 28.0%. This means approximately 6,980 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bessemer, Alabama?
Bessemer's population is 20.5% White, 66.6% Black, 10.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bessemer, AL?
The median home value in Bessemer is $135,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Bessemer, Alabama?
15.6% of adults (25+) in Bessemer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.