Forestdale, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Forestdale, Alabama had a total population of 9,742, the 71st largest community in Alabama, with a median household income of $66,569, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
Forestdale Quick Facts
How Forestdale 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 | 9,149 | 9,742 | +6.5% |
| Median household income | $57,145 | $66,569 | +16.5% |
| Median home value | $150,700 | $164,000 | +8.8% |
How Forestdale 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Forestdale Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 198,173 | $46,051 | 24.7% | $158,800 |
| Hoover | 92,642 | $109,253 | 5.1% | $412,200 |
| Vestavia Hills | 38,616 | $134,369 | 10.0% | $530,000 |
| Homewood | 27,829 | $94,485 | 8.9% | $558,500 |
| Trussville | 26,673 | $123,275 | 1.1% | $370,300 |
| Bessemer | 25,400 | $39,613 | 28.0% | $135,900 |
| Mountain Brook | 22,029 | $201,479 | 3.2% | $916,300 |
| Helena | 21,769 | $115,139 | 3.2% | $330,700 |
| Gardendale | 16,534 | $82,192 | 4.3% | $252,600 |
| Hueytown | 16,414 | $62,784 | 16.2% | $155,300 |
Cities Similar to Forestdale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Grove | 9,442 | $70,317 | $226,400 | 23.2% | 19.7% |
| Fultondale | 9,384 | $73,575 | $186,100 | 28.7% | 12.5% |
| Southside | 9,483 | $76,487 | $226,500 | 23.2% | 4.4% |
| Guntersville | 8,916 | $67,929 | $324,800 | 33.3% | 18.1% |
| Tuscumbia | 9,115 | $59,143 | $196,700 | 26.0% | 18.6% |
Population Overview
Forestdale is a small city located in Alabama, within Jefferson County. The total population is 9,742. It ranks as the 71st most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Forestdale is 41.7 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.3 years. 10.8% 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 Forestdale is $66,569. This is 4% higher than the state median of $63,999. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.8%. This is 14% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $164,000. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $209,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Forestdale is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Forestdale is Black or African American, making up 72.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 22.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (22.3%) is well below the state average of 63.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (72.8% vs 25.6%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
27.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% 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 93.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Forestdale, 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 Forestdale, Alabama?
Forestdale, Alabama has a population of 9,742 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Forestdale, AL?
The median household income in Forestdale is $66,569, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Forestdale, AL?
The poverty rate in Forestdale is 17.8%. This means approximately 1,701 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Forestdale, Alabama?
Forestdale's population is 22.3% White, 72.8% Black, 3.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Forestdale, AL?
The median home value in Forestdale is $164,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Forestdale, Alabama?
27.5% of adults (25+) in Forestdale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.