Gainesville, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gainesville, Alabama had a total population of 236, the 497th largest town in Alabama. The poverty rate is 43.6%.
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 (43.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Gainesville Quick Facts
How Gainesville 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 | 266 | 236 | -11.3% |
How Gainesville 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Gainesville Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Sumter County
Cities Similar to Gainesville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffeeville | 237 | $30,156 | $82,000 | 6.2% | 20.4% |
| Edwardsville | 238 | $79,250 | $143,800 | 12.3% | 5.0% |
| Onycha | 238 | $47,639 | $55,000 | 8.8% | 28.6% |
| Boykin | 239 | $51,667 | N/A | 0.0% | 2.1% |
| Toxey | 239 | $62,857 | $181,300 | 25.3% | 0.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 236, Gainesville's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Gainesville is a small community located in Alabama, within Sumter County. The total population is 236. It ranks as the 497th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gainesville is 35.2 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 39.3 years. With 35.2% of the population under 18, Gainesville has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 43.6%. This is 179% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Gainesville, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 40.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Gainesville has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 85.2% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 14.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (14.0%) is well below the state average of 63.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (85.2% vs 25.6%).
Education
17.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% 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 74.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gainesville, 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 Gainesville, Alabama?
Gainesville, Alabama has a population of 236 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gainesville, AL?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Gainesville — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gainesville, AL?
The poverty rate in Gainesville is 43.6%. This means approximately 103 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gainesville, Alabama?
Gainesville's population is 14.0% White, 85.2% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gainesville, AL?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Gainesville — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Gainesville, Alabama?
17.8% of adults (25+) in Gainesville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.