Calera, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Calera, Alabama had a total population of 17,714, the 36th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $87,194, which is 36% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Alabama.
- 37.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Alabama.
Calera Quick Facts
How Calera 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 | 17,188 | 17,714 | +3.1% |
| Median household income | $82,441 | $87,194 | +5.8% |
| Median home value | $214,200 | $235,300 | +9.9% |
How Calera 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Calera Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Shelby County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabaster | 33,917 | $91,357 | 7.1% | $261,700 |
| Pelham | 24,827 | $101,094 | 6.7% | $299,800 |
| Chelsea | 16,260 | $115,337 | 2.7% | $360,000 |
| Meadowbrook | 9,117 | $141,862 | 5.5% | $423,700 |
| Brook Highland | 8,146 | $79,904 | 4.6% | $427,400 |
| Montevallo | 7,556 | $56,626 | 17.7% | $220,700 |
| Highland Lakes | 5,866 | $169,361 | 4.1% | $599,200 |
| Columbiana | 4,725 | $80,546 | 9.8% | $259,500 |
| Eagle Point | 3,110 | $151,842 | 3.2% | $493,800 |
| Indian Springs Village | 2,537 | $136,836 | 3.4% | $555,800 |
Cities Similar to Calera
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardendale | 16,534 | $82,192 | $252,600 | 31.2% | 4.3% |
| Muscle Shoals | 16,951 | $75,894 | $199,700 | 24.0% | 12.8% |
| Gulf Shores | 16,401 | $78,188 | $382,700 | 39.9% | 11.5% |
| Millbrook | 17,189 | $70,313 | $207,100 | 30.9% | 7.8% |
| Hartselle | 15,847 | $76,290 | $203,800 | 27.9% | 13.3% |
Population Overview
Calera is a small city located in Alabama, within Shelby County. The total population is 17,714. It ranks as the 36th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Calera is 33.9 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Calera is $87,194. This is 36% higher than the state median of $63,999. It is also 8% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.3%. This is 53% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $235,300. Housing costs are 12% higher than the state median of $209,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Calera is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Calera is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 30.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (9.2% vs 5.6%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
37.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Calera in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 31% higher 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 93.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Calera, 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 Calera, Alabama?
Calera, Alabama has a population of 17,714 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Calera, AL?
The median household income in Calera is $87,194, which is 8% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Calera, AL?
The poverty rate in Calera is 7.3%. This means approximately 1,285 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Calera, Alabama?
Calera's population is 57.8% White, 30.6% Black, 9.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Calera, AL?
The median home value in Calera is $235,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Calera, Alabama?
37.1% of adults (25+) in Calera hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.