Elba, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elba, Alabama had a total population of 3,468, the 155th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $44,792, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.3% is notably above the national average.
Elba Quick Facts
How Elba 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 | 3,459 | 3,468 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $41,310 | $44,792 | +8.4% |
| Median home value | $105,000 | $114,500 | +9.0% |
How Elba 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+)
Elba Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Coffee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | 29,505 | $73,125 | 16.5% | $202,900 |
| New Brockton | 1,430 | $72,212 | 20.4% | $207,600 |
| Kinston | 704 | $43,036 | 20.6% | $70,500 |
Cities Similar to Elba
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heflin | 3,467 | $46,711 | $171,700 | 15.8% | 17.9% |
| Centre | 3,700 | $44,664 | $158,400 | 13.3% | 21.1% |
| Evergreen | 3,404 | $40,700 | $98,700 | 18.9% | 39.0% |
| Thomasville | 3,619 | $42,671 | $116,000 | 8.8% | 20.2% |
| Holt | 3,629 | $48,675 | $126,900 | 6.7% | 20.7% |
Population Overview
Elba is a small community located in Alabama, within Coffee County. The total population is 3,468. It ranks as the 155th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elba is 47.8 years. This is 22% 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 is $44,792. This is 30% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.8%. This is 52% 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 8.3%. This is 77% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $114,500. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $209,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Elba is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elba is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 34.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 5.6%.
Education
11.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% 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 80.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elba, 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 Elba, Alabama?
Elba, Alabama has a population of 3,468 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elba, AL?
The median household income in Elba is $44,792, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elba, AL?
The poverty rate in Elba is 23.8%. This means approximately 735 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elba, Alabama?
Elba's population is 52.4% White, 34.1% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elba, AL?
The median home value in Elba is $114,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Elba, Alabama?
11.7% of adults (25+) in Elba hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.