Gulf Shores, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gulf Shores, Alabama had a total population of 16,401, the 44th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $78,188, which is 22% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 39.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Alabama.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.4%.
Gulf Shores Quick Facts
How Gulf Shores 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 | 15,785 | 16,401 | +3.9% |
| Median household income | $73,873 | $78,188 | +5.8% |
| Median home value | $367,000 | $382,700 | +4.3% |
How Gulf Shores 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+)
Gulf Shores Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Baldwin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daphne | 29,453 | $87,250 | 7.2% | $323,400 |
| Fairhope | 24,190 | $94,274 | 8.2% | $430,900 |
| Foley | 24,026 | $66,336 | 11.0% | $289,300 |
| Spanish Fort | 10,662 | $99,346 | 5.8% | $343,900 |
| Orange Beach | 8,407 | $97,736 | 2.6% | $502,400 |
| Bay Minette | 8,295 | $44,523 | 24.4% | $173,000 |
| Robertsdale | 7,194 | $59,152 | 11.1% | $229,300 |
| Loxley | 4,357 | $108,488 | 11.7% | $398,500 |
| Stapleton | 3,009 | N/A | 4.4% | N/A |
| Bon Secour | 2,789 | $61,497 | 17.7% | $309,800 |
Cities Similar to Gulf Shores
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardendale | 16,534 | $82,192 | $252,600 | 31.2% | 4.3% |
| Hartselle | 15,847 | $76,290 | $203,800 | 27.9% | 13.3% |
| Muscle Shoals | 16,951 | $75,894 | $199,700 | 24.0% | 12.8% |
| Millbrook | 17,189 | $70,313 | $207,100 | 30.9% | 7.8% |
| Hueytown | 16,414 | $62,784 | $155,300 | 21.0% | 16.2% |
Population Overview
Gulf Shores is a small city located in Alabama, within Baldwin County. The total population is 16,401. It ranks as the 44th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gulf Shores is 50.8 years. This is 29% higher than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gulf Shores is $78,188. This is 22% higher than the state median of $63,999. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.5%. This is 26% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $382,700. Housing costs are 82% higher than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 70.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Gulf Shores has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.1%. The Black or African American population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 25.6%.
Education
39.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Gulf Shores in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 40% 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 97.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gulf Shores, 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 Gulf Shores, Alabama?
Gulf Shores, Alabama has a population of 16,401 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gulf Shores, AL?
The median household income in Gulf Shores is $78,188, which is 3% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gulf Shores, AL?
The poverty rate in Gulf Shores is 11.5%. This means approximately 1,880 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gulf Shores, Alabama?
Gulf Shores's population is 87.3% White, 2.7% Black, 6.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gulf Shores, AL?
The median home value in Gulf Shores is $382,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Gulf Shores, Alabama?
39.9% of adults (25+) in Gulf Shores hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.