Chelsea city, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Chelsea city, Alabama has a total population of 15,731, the 46th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $110,056, which is 77% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 77% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Alabama.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.2% — among the lowest in Alabama.
- 44.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Alabama.
Chelsea city Quick Facts
How Chelsea city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 52 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chelsea city Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Cities Similar to Chelsea city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardendale city | 16,110 | $81,215 | $234,900 | 36.0% | 5.9% |
| Gulf Shores city | 15,785 | $73,873 | $367,000 | 38.0% | 11.4% |
| Calera city | 17,188 | $82,441 | $214,200 | 37.1% | 6.7% |
| Hartselle city | 15,586 | $67,863 | $192,200 | 29.3% | 12.6% |
| McCalla CDP | 13,939 | $83,782 | $252,800 | 33.2% | 6.7% |
Population Overview
Chelsea city is a small city located in Alabama. The total population is 15,731. It ranks as the 46th most populous out of 589 cities and towns in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chelsea city is 38.2 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chelsea city is $110,056. This is 77% higher than the state median of $62,027. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 40% higher. The poverty rate stands at 2.2%. This is 86% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $339,400. Housing costs are 74% higher than the state median of $195,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 90.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 69.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chelsea city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 7.4%. The Black or African American population (7.4%) is well below the state average of 25.9%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
44.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Chelsea city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 62% higher than the state rate of 27.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chelsea city, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 589 Census-designated places in Alabama. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all Alabama city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Chelsea city, Alabama?
Chelsea city, Alabama has a population of 15,731 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chelsea city, AL?
The median household income in Chelsea city is $110,056, which is 40% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Chelsea city, AL?
The poverty rate in Chelsea city is 2.2%. This means approximately 346 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chelsea city, Alabama?
Chelsea city's population is 83.7% White, 7.4% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chelsea city, AL?
The median home value in Chelsea city is $339,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Chelsea city, Alabama?
44.9% of adults (25+) in Chelsea city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.