Fort Payne, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Payne, Alabama had a total population of 14,927, the 49th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $47,479, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.5%.
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 (32.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Fort Payne Quick Facts
How Fort Payne 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 | 14,886 | 14,927 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $48,623 | $47,479 | -2.4% |
| Median home value | $158,100 | $157,000 | -0.7% |
How Fort Payne 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+)
Fort Payne Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in DeKalb County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainsville | 5,702 | $74,046 | 7.0% | $230,400 |
| Henagar | 2,501 | $49,315 | 22.4% | $144,700 |
| Crossville | 2,143 | $49,100 | 21.1% | $129,900 |
| Sylvania | 1,925 | $56,161 | 10.6% | $161,500 |
| Collinsville | 1,781 | $31,652 | 26.0% | $59,000 |
| Fyffe | 1,190 | $34,870 | 14.5% | $113,300 |
| Geraldine | 1,011 | $43,594 | 21.0% | $171,900 |
| Powell | 912 | $61,786 | 30.8% | $116,400 |
| Sand Rock | 868 | $73,333 | 7.5% | $218,800 |
| Ider | 731 | $54,444 | 14.8% | $162,900 |
Cities Similar to Fort Payne
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander City | 14,606 | $47,022 | $155,000 | 20.2% | 25.7% |
| Talladega | 14,760 | $44,198 | $121,900 | 13.6% | 25.6% |
| Ozark | 14,327 | $48,944 | $148,900 | 18.4% | 28.1% |
| Jacksonville | 14,437 | $51,814 | $185,500 | 31.2% | 23.1% |
| Scottsboro | 15,712 | $53,929 | $190,400 | 22.6% | 18.6% |
Population Overview
Fort Payne is a small city located in Alabama, within DeKalb County. The total population is 14,927. It ranks as the 49th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Payne is 37.4 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Payne is $47,479. This is 26% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.5%. This is 108% 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 5.0%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $157,000. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 69.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Payne is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 23.7%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 25.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (23.7% vs 5.6%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
17.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 79.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Payne, 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 Fort Payne, Alabama?
Fort Payne, Alabama has a population of 14,927 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Payne, AL?
The median household income in Fort Payne is $47,479, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Payne, AL?
The poverty rate in Fort Payne is 32.5%. This means approximately 4,706 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Payne, Alabama?
Fort Payne's population is 71.5% White, 1.3% Black, 23.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Payne, AL?
The median home value in Fort Payne is $157,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Fort Payne, Alabama?
17.3% of adults (25+) in Fort Payne hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.