Huntsville, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Huntsville, Alabama had a total population of 222,791, the 1st largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $74,714, which is 17% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Huntsville is the 1st largest city in Alabama with a population of 222,791.
- 47.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Alabama.
Huntsville Quick Facts
How Huntsville 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 | 218,814 | 222,791 | +1.8% |
| Median household income | $70,778 | $74,714 | +5.6% |
| Median home value | $263,100 | $293,600 | +11.6% |
How Huntsville 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+)
Huntsville Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Madison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | 60,106 | $134,655 | 4.3% | $398,800 |
| Meridianville | 11,150 | $97,434 | 4.9% | $291,900 |
| Moores Mill | 6,378 | $96,774 | 11.2% | $274,000 |
| Harvest | 5,955 | $101,910 | 11.3% | $281,300 |
| Triana | 3,964 | $110,100 | 8.2% | $278,200 |
| Hazel Green | 3,940 | $86,271 | 10.4% | $230,800 |
| New Hope | 2,911 | $83,816 | 13.1% | $163,700 |
| Owens Cross Roads | 2,826 | $86,188 | 10.1% | $227,000 |
| New Market | 1,314 | $62,500 | 10.1% | $112,500 |
| Redstone Arsenal | 858 | $140,114 | 10.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Huntsville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile | 203,416 | $53,558 | $193,300 | 32.0% | 18.4% |
| Montgomery | 197,494 | $56,811 | $161,900 | 33.8% | 21.5% |
| Birmingham | 198,173 | $46,051 | $158,800 | 31.1% | 24.7% |
| Tuscaloosa | 111,038 | $51,464 | $255,500 | 39.4% | 25.1% |
| Hoover | 92,642 | $109,253 | $412,200 | 62.6% | 5.1% |
Population Overview
Huntsville is a major urban center located in Alabama, within Madison County. The total population is 222,791. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Huntsville is 36.9 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Huntsville is $74,714. This is 17% higher than the state median of $63,999. It is also 7% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.6%. This is 19% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $293,600. Housing costs are 40% higher than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 58.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Huntsville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 28.8%.
Education
47.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Huntsville in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 66% 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%. Notably, 19.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Huntsville, 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 Huntsville, Alabama?
Huntsville, Alabama has a population of 222,791 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Huntsville, AL?
The median household income in Huntsville is $74,714, which is 7% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Huntsville, AL?
The poverty rate in Huntsville is 12.6%. This means approximately 26,693 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Huntsville, Alabama?
Huntsville's population is 55.9% White, 28.8% Black, 8.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Huntsville, AL?
The median home value in Huntsville is $293,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Huntsville, Alabama?
47.2% of adults (25+) in Huntsville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.