Elba city, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Elba city is a small community located in Alabama. The total population is 3,459. It ranks as the 153rd most populous out of 589 cities and towns in Alabama.

Age Demographics

The median age in Elba city is 48.7 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 39.3 years. 12.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Elba city is $41,310. This is 33% lower than the state median of $62,027. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 47% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.6%. This is 64% 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 6.5%. This is 35% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $105,000. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $195,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Elba city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 69.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Elba city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 42.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (42.8% vs 25.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 5.4%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.

Education

10.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% lower 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 75.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Elba 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.