Cherokee, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cherokee, Alabama had a total population of 1,120, the 305th largest town in Alabama, with a median household income of $50,815, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
Cherokee Quick Facts
How Cherokee Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 863 | 1,120 | No clear change (+29.8%) |
| Median household income | $36,520 | $50,815 | +39.1% |
| Median home value¹ | $85,411 | $102,300 | No clear change (+19.8%) |
| Median gross rent | $831 | $902 | No clear change (+8.6%) |
How Cherokee Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 70.4%
- Black: 16.0%
- Hispanic: 6.9%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.0%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 9.8%
- HS Diploma: 47.2%
- Some College: 19.4%
- Associate's: 8.7%
- Bachelor's: 8.7%
- Graduate+: 6.1%
Cherokee Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Colbert County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle Shoals | 16,951 | $75,894 | 12.8% | $199,700 |
| Sheffield | 9,340 | $39,733 | 26.6% | $133,800 |
| Tuscumbia | 9,115 | $59,143 | 18.6% | $196,700 |
| Littleville | 932 | $55,817 | 11.4% | $142,400 |
| Leighton | 893 | $33,894 | 24.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Cherokee
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eclectic | 1,141 | $49,904 | $161,800 | 22.2% | 14.0% |
| Hobson City | 1,142 | $47,361 | $108,200 | 9.0% | 19.8% |
| Brilliant | 1,097 | $47,125 | $47,200 | 8.5% | 36.2% |
| Skyline | 1,126 | $44,307 | $123,800 | 4.8% | 18.0% |
| Gallant | 1,081 | $55,130 | $99,200 | 24.3% | 7.6% |
Population Overview
Cherokee is a small community located in Alabama, within Colbert County. The total population is 1,120. It ranks as the 305th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cherokee is 36.4 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cherokee is $50,815. This is 21% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.7%. This is 32% 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 6.3%. This is 34% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $102,300. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $209,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Cherokee is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cherokee is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.0%.
Education
14.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 90.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cherokee, 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 Cherokee, Alabama?
Cherokee, Alabama has a population of 1,120 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cherokee, AL?
The median household income in Cherokee is $50,815, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cherokee, AL?
The poverty rate in Cherokee is 20.7%. This means approximately 229 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cherokee, Alabama?
Cherokee's population is 70.4% White, 16.0% Black, 6.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cherokee, AL?
The median home value in Cherokee is $102,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Cherokee, Alabama?
14.8% of adults (25+) in Cherokee hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.