Dayton, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dayton, Alabama had a total population of 46, the 579th largest town in Alabama. The poverty rate is 6.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 7.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 50.0% is notably above the national average.
Dayton Quick Facts
How Dayton 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 | 66 | 46 | -30.3% |
How Dayton 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dayton Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Marengo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demopolis | 6,908 | $34,802 | 25.9% | $183,600 |
| Linden | 1,961 | $38,667 | 23.1% | $92,400 |
| Thomaston | 308 | $58,125 | 21.4% | $92,700 |
| Sweet Water | 216 | $52,411 | 3.7% | $161,600 |
| Faunsdale | 140 | $99,583 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Providence | 112 | $50,000 | 17.9% | $165,900 |
| Myrtlewood | 78 | $95,469 | 0.0% | $68,500 |
| Putnam | 75 | $39,141 | 34.7% | $89,000 |
| Nanafalia | 16 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Dayton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Megargel | 46 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 19.6% |
| Deer Park | 45 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Emelle | 48 | $11,786 | $73,300 | 14.6% | 70.8% |
| Natural Bridge | 49 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 8.2% |
| Ethelsville | 51 | $48,750 | $166,700 | 13.3% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 46, Dayton'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
Dayton is a small community located in Alabama, within Marengo County. The total population is 46. It ranks as the 579th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dayton is 45.1 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 39.3 years. Only 2.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 6.5%. This is 58% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. The unemployment rate is 50.0%. This is 964% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% higher than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dayton is Black or African American, making up 78.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 21.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (21.7%) is well below the state average of 63.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (78.3% vs 25.6%).
Education
7.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% 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 53.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dayton, 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 Dayton, Alabama?
Dayton, Alabama has a population of 46 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dayton, AL?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Dayton — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dayton, AL?
The poverty rate in Dayton is 6.5%. This means approximately 3 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dayton, Alabama?
Dayton's population is 21.7% White, 78.3% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dayton, AL?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Dayton — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Dayton, Alabama?
7.7% of adults (25+) in Dayton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.