Brookside, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brookside, Alabama had a total population of 1,603, the 254th largest town in Alabama, with a median household income of $59,271, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.5%.
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 (26.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
Brookside Quick Facts
How Brookside 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 | 1,200 | 1,603 | +33.6% |
| Median household income | $43,750 | $59,271 | +35.5% |
| Median home value | $108,700 | $107,400 | -1.2% |
How Brookside 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+)
Brookside 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 |
| Bessemer | 25,400 | $39,613 | 28.0% | $135,900 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Brookside
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Bluff | 1,629 | $52,500 | $204,800 | 15.7% | 29.3% |
| Summerdale | 1,593 | $70,110 | $274,800 | 17.1% | 3.8% |
| Coats Bend | 1,630 | $70,409 | $149,600 | 8.7% | 18.0% |
| Falkville | 1,606 | $46,888 | $139,600 | 8.2% | 14.9% |
| Webb | 1,475 | $54,792 | $113,800 | 9.5% | 7.9% |
Population Overview
Brookside is a small community located in Alabama, within Jefferson County. The total population is 1,603. It ranks as the 254th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brookside is 33.5 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 39.3 years. With 29.1% of the population under 18, Brookside has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brookside is $59,271. This is 7% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.5%. This is 70% 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 3.9%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $107,400. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $209,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Brookside is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Brookside is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 37.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.6%.
Education
10.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% 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 87.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brookside, 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 Brookside, Alabama?
Brookside, Alabama has a population of 1,603 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brookside, AL?
The median household income in Brookside is $59,271, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brookside, AL?
The poverty rate in Brookside is 26.5%. This means approximately 424 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brookside, Alabama?
Brookside's population is 56.2% White, 37.9% Black, 0.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brookside, AL?
The median home value in Brookside is $107,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Brookside, Alabama?
10.5% of adults (25+) in Brookside hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.