Brilliant, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brilliant, Alabama had a total population of 1,097, the 310th largest town in Alabama, with a median household income of $47,125, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 36.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (36.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.0x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.1% is notably above the national average.
Brilliant Quick Facts
How Brilliant 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 | 1,078 | 1,097 | +1.8% |
| Median household income | $47,877 | $47,125 | -1.6% |
| Median home value | $55,200 | $47,200 | -14.5% |
How Brilliant 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Brilliant Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Marion County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | 6,922 | $54,871 | 16.7% | $106,300 |
| Winfield | 4,999 | $49,688 | 12.5% | $165,500 |
| Haleyville | 4,271 | $42,058 | 25.2% | $97,600 |
| Guin | 2,381 | $51,117 | 18.3% | $112,000 |
| Hackleburg | 1,709 | $42,292 | 24.0% | $104,700 |
| Bear Creek | 1,474 | $50,188 | 16.4% | $96,900 |
| Twin | 475 | $52,639 | 12.2% | $95,600 |
| Glen Allen | 372 | $46,313 | 10.3% | $89,600 |
| Gu-Win | 178 | $63,942 | 7.3% | $177,800 |
Cities Similar to Brilliant
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section | 1,069 | $47,500 | $156,000 | 20.7% | 22.2% |
| Double Springs | 1,068 | $47,768 | $153,500 | 20.3% | 28.7% |
| Hobson City | 1,142 | $47,361 | $108,200 | 9.0% | 19.8% |
| Skyline | 1,126 | $44,307 | $123,800 | 4.8% | 18.0% |
| Cherokee | 1,120 | $50,815 | $102,300 | 14.8% | 20.7% |
Population Overview
Brilliant is a small community located in Alabama, within Marion County. The total population is 1,097. It ranks as the 310th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brilliant is 54.5 years. This is 39% higher than the state median of 39.3 years. 12.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brilliant is $47,125. This is 26% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 36.2%. This is 132% 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 10.1%. This is 114% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $47,200. Housing costs are 78% lower than the state median of $209,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.0x, Brilliant is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Brilliant has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (95.3% vs 63.4%).
Education
8.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% 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 85.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brilliant, 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 Brilliant, Alabama?
Brilliant, Alabama has a population of 1,097 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brilliant, AL?
The median household income in Brilliant is $47,125, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brilliant, AL?
The poverty rate in Brilliant is 36.2%. This means approximately 395 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brilliant, Alabama?
Brilliant's population is 95.3% White, 0.0% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brilliant, AL?
The median home value in Brilliant is $47,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.0x.
How educated is Brilliant, Alabama?
8.5% of adults (25+) in Brilliant hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.