Leighton, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Leighton, Alabama had a total population of 893, the 339th largest town in Alabama, with a median household income of $33,894, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Leighton Quick Facts
How Leighton 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 | 711 | 893 | +25.6% |
| Median household income | $33,214 | $33,894 | +2.0% |
How Leighton 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+)
Leighton Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Colbert County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle Shoals | 16,951 | $75,894 | 12.8% | $199,700 |
| Sheffield | 9,340 | $39,733 | 26.6% | $133,800 |
| Tuscumbia | 9,115 | $59,143 | 18.6% | $196,700 |
| Cherokee | 1,120 | $50,815 | 20.7% | $102,300 |
| Littleville | 932 | $55,817 | 11.4% | $142,400 |
Cities Similar to Leighton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Hall | 875 | $34,375 | N/A | 16.8% | 33.8% |
| Mignon | 865 | $32,818 | $37,500 | 9.3% | 31.6% |
| Oakman | 934 | $35,208 | $92,600 | 7.4% | 25.0% |
| Chatom | 834 | N/A | $174,100 | 29.1% | 32.6% |
| Walnut Grove | 896 | $40,089 | $131,100 | 12.1% | 33.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 893, Leighton'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
Leighton is a small community located in Alabama, within Colbert County. The total population is 893. It ranks as the 339th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Leighton is 44.9 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Leighton is $33,894. This is 47% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 58% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.0%. This is 53% 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 unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 36% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. 58.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Leighton is Black or African American, making up 46.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 40.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (46.3% vs 25.6%).
Education
27.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% 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 81.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Leighton, 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.
Free data download: Get all Alabama city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Leighton, Alabama?
Leighton, Alabama has a population of 893 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Leighton, AL?
The median household income in Leighton is $33,894, which is 58% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Leighton, AL?
The poverty rate in Leighton is 24.0%. This means approximately 214 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Leighton, Alabama?
Leighton's population is 40.0% White, 46.3% Black, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Leighton, AL?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Leighton — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Leighton, Alabama?
27.4% of adults (25+) in Leighton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.