Gardendale, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gardendale, Alabama had a total population of 16,534, the 41st largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $82,192, which is 28% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.3% — among the lowest in Alabama.
Gardendale Quick Facts
How Gardendale 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 | 16,110 | 16,534 | +2.6% |
| Median household income | $81,215 | $82,192 | +1.2% |
| Median home value | $234,900 | $252,600 | +7.5% |
How Gardendale 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+)
Gardendale 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 |
| Hueytown | 16,414 | $62,784 | 16.2% | $155,300 |
| Center Point | 15,914 | $56,417 | 14.3% | $151,700 |
Cities Similar to Gardendale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf Shores | 16,401 | $78,188 | $382,700 | 39.9% | 11.5% |
| Muscle Shoals | 16,951 | $75,894 | $199,700 | 24.0% | 12.8% |
| Hartselle | 15,847 | $76,290 | $203,800 | 27.9% | 13.3% |
| Calera | 17,714 | $87,194 | $235,300 | 37.1% | 7.3% |
| Millbrook | 17,189 | $70,313 | $207,100 | 30.9% | 7.8% |
Population Overview
Gardendale is a small city located in Alabama, within Jefferson County. The total population is 16,534. It ranks as the 41st most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gardendale is 38.0 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gardendale is $82,192. This is 28% higher than the state median of $63,999. It is also 2% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.3%. This is 73% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $252,600. Housing costs are 20% higher than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 78.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gardendale is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 21.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 5.6%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
31.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% higher 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 92.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gardendale, 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 Gardendale, Alabama?
Gardendale, Alabama has a population of 16,534 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gardendale, AL?
The median household income in Gardendale is $82,192, which is 2% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gardendale, AL?
The poverty rate in Gardendale is 4.3%. This means approximately 677 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gardendale, Alabama?
Gardendale's population is 69.7% White, 21.2% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gardendale, AL?
The median home value in Gardendale is $252,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Gardendale, Alabama?
31.2% of adults (25+) in Gardendale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.