Huntsville city, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Huntsville city, Alabama has a total population of 218,814, the 1st largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $70,778, which is 14% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Huntsville city is the 1st largest city in Alabama with a population of 218,814.
- 46.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Alabama.
Huntsville city Quick Facts
How Huntsville city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 52 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Huntsville city Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Cities Similar to Huntsville city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery city | 198,440 | $55,687 | $148,500 | 33.5% | 20.9% |
| Birmingham city | 199,322 | $44,376 | $138,600 | 30.7% | 25.2% |
| Mobile city | 185,097 | $51,090 | $170,300 | 31.5% | 18.9% |
| Tuscaloosa city | 107,699 | $48,536 | $236,600 | 38.1% | 23.8% |
| Hoover city | 92,401 | $107,822 | $391,300 | 60.8% | 5.3% |
Population Overview
Huntsville city is a major urban center located in Alabama. The total population is 218,814. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 589 cities and towns in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Huntsville city is 36.4 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Huntsville city is $70,778. This is 14% higher than the state median of $62,027. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 10% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.8%. This is 12% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $263,100. Housing costs are 35% higher than the state median of $195,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 58.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 69.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Huntsville city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 29.4%.
Education
46.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Huntsville city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 66% higher than the state rate of 27.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.6%. Notably, 19.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Huntsville city, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 589 Census-designated places in Alabama. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Huntsville city, Alabama?
Huntsville city, Alabama has a population of 218,814 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Huntsville city, AL?
The median household income in Huntsville city is $70,778, which is 10% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Huntsville city, AL?
The poverty rate in Huntsville city is 13.8%. This means approximately 28,747 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Huntsville city, Alabama?
Huntsville city's population is 56.1% White, 29.4% Black, 8.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Huntsville city, AL?
The median home value in Huntsville city is $263,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Huntsville city, Alabama?
46.2% of adults (25+) in Huntsville city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.