Chatom, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chatom, Alabama had a total population of 834, the 352nd largest town in Alabama. The poverty rate is 32.6%.
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 (32.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Chatom Quick Facts
How Chatom 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 | 669 | 834 | +24.7% |
| Median home value | $172,700 | $174,100 | +0.8% |
How Chatom 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+)
Chatom Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leroy | 1,075 | $93,036 | 1.0% | $219,500 |
| Millry | 520 | $39,167 | 15.2% | $156,500 |
| McIntosh | 364 | $74,167 | 39.3% | $157,100 |
| Cullomburg | 363 | N/A | 56.8% | N/A |
| St. Stephens | 297 | $63,068 | 4.7% | $130,700 |
| Malcolm | 204 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
| Hobson | 181 | $170,240 | 0.0% | $223,000 |
| Fairford | 150 | $96,228 | 0.0% | $221,500 |
| Vinegar Bend | 109 | $13,787 | 76.1% | N/A |
| Fruitdale | 66 | N/A | 47.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Chatom
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mosses | 836 | $26,568 | $66,500 | 6.8% | 51.3% |
| Ballplay | 842 | $47,837 | $145,300 | 9.0% | 1.8% |
| Brantleyville | 845 | $47,917 | $33,000 | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| Eva | 845 | $115,455 | $246,500 | 23.5% | 8.5% |
| Oak Grove | 856 | $47,857 | $165,900 | 12.3% | 7.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 834, Chatom's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Chatom is a small community located in Alabama, within Washington County. The total population is 834. It ranks as the 352nd most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chatom is 52.3 years. This is 33% higher than the state median of 39.3 years. 17.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 32.6%. This is 108% 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 3.1%. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $174,100. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $209,900. 75.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chatom is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 37.8%.
Education
29.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% 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 87.7%. Notably, 19.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chatom, 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 Chatom, Alabama?
Chatom, Alabama has a population of 834 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chatom, AL?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Chatom — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chatom, AL?
The poverty rate in Chatom is 32.6%. This means approximately 235 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chatom, Alabama?
Chatom's population is 61.4% White, 37.8% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chatom, AL?
The median home value in Chatom is $174,100.
How educated is Chatom, Alabama?
29.1% of adults (25+) in Chatom hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.