Cottondale, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cottondale, Alabama had a total population of 2,632, the 188th largest community in Alabama, with a median household income of $44,877, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.0%.
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 (32.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Cottondale Quick Facts
How Cottondale 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 | 2,850 | 2,632 | -7.6% |
| Median household income | $44,250 | $44,877 | +1.4% |
| Median home value | $118,600 | $139,200 | +17.4% |
How Cottondale 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+)
Cottondale Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Tuscaloosa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa | 111,038 | $51,464 | 25.1% | $255,500 |
| Northport | 31,218 | $80,913 | 12.3% | $282,600 |
| Moundville | 3,754 | $73,036 | 17.6% | $189,700 |
| Holt | 3,629 | $48,675 | 20.7% | $126,900 |
| Brookwood | 2,706 | $81,394 | 7.5% | $188,300 |
| Coaling | 2,573 | $81,370 | 3.7% | $228,000 |
| Vance | 2,105 | $94,545 | 7.3% | $225,400 |
| Woodstock | 1,218 | $73,438 | 14.1% | $195,800 |
| Coker | 1,058 | $55,313 | 14.0% | $200,700 |
Cities Similar to Cottondale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huguley | 2,577 | $43,750 | $141,500 | 5.0% | 10.8% |
| Luverne | 2,694 | $43,269 | $170,100 | 19.6% | 25.1% |
| Henagar | 2,501 | $49,315 | $144,700 | 9.5% | 22.4% |
| Centreville | 2,741 | $39,477 | $161,300 | 13.9% | 18.8% |
| Lineville | 2,546 | $38,302 | $175,500 | 14.6% | 32.4% |
Population Overview
Cottondale is a small community located in Alabama, within Tuscaloosa County. The total population is 2,632. It ranks as the 188th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cottondale is 45.1 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 39.3 years. Only 13.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cottondale is $44,877. This is 30% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.0%. This is 105% 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 2.9%. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $139,200. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 82.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cottondale is Black or African American, making up 50.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 43.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (50.5% vs 25.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 5.6%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
14.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 85.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cottondale, 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 Cottondale, Alabama?
Cottondale, Alabama has a population of 2,632 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cottondale, AL?
The median household income in Cottondale is $44,877, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cottondale, AL?
The poverty rate in Cottondale is 32.0%. This means approximately 829 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cottondale, Alabama?
Cottondale's population is 43.2% White, 50.5% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cottondale, AL?
The median home value in Cottondale is $139,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Cottondale, Alabama?
14.9% of adults (25+) in Cottondale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.