Gadsden, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gadsden, Alabama had a total population of 33,374, the 16th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $40,345, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Gadsden Quick Facts
How Gadsden 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 | 33,617 | 33,374 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $38,699 | $40,345 | +4.3% |
| Median home value | $101,900 | $116,800 | +14.6% |
How Gadsden 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+)
Gadsden Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Etowah County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boaz | 10,814 | $49,846 | 19.4% | $199,200 |
| Rainbow City | 10,284 | $56,398 | 10.0% | $223,000 |
| Attalla | 5,775 | $59,215 | 11.3% | $126,100 |
| Hokes Bluff | 4,547 | $74,968 | 4.0% | $196,400 |
| Sardis City | 2,046 | $67,721 | 12.1% | $225,700 |
| Carlisle-Rockledge | 1,993 | $60,360 | 21.7% | $115,900 |
| Whitesboro | 1,918 | $67,188 | 3.9% | $154,400 |
| Coats Bend | 1,630 | $70,409 | 18.0% | $149,600 |
| Altoona | 1,252 | $43,056 | 23.2% | $114,100 |
| Tidmore Bend | 1,192 | $60,729 | 14.6% | $162,500 |
Cities Similar to Gadsden
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phenix City | 38,499 | $50,053 | $170,300 | 23.2% | 24.5% |
| Opelika | 32,820 | $65,004 | $241,800 | 36.4% | 16.0% |
| Bessemer | 25,400 | $39,613 | $135,900 | 15.6% | 28.0% |
| Florence | 41,701 | $52,174 | $196,300 | 34.5% | 17.9% |
| Northport | 31,218 | $80,913 | $282,600 | 38.2% | 12.3% |
Population Overview
Gadsden is a mid-sized community located in Alabama, within Etowah County. The total population is 33,374. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gadsden is 38.6 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gadsden is $40,345. This is 37% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.1%. This is 80% 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 7.2%. This is 54% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $116,800. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $209,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Gadsden is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 55.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gadsden is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 36.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (10.5% vs 5.6%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
15.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 82.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gadsden, 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 Gadsden, Alabama?
Gadsden, Alabama has a population of 33,374 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gadsden, AL?
The median household income in Gadsden is $40,345, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gadsden, AL?
The poverty rate in Gadsden is 28.1%. This means approximately 9,138 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gadsden, Alabama?
Gadsden's population is 49.3% White, 36.0% Black, 10.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gadsden, AL?
The median home value in Gadsden is $116,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Gadsden, Alabama?
15.5% of adults (25+) in Gadsden hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.