Macon County, Alabama Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Macon County is located in Alabama with a total population of 18,951. It is the 48th most populous county out of 67 in Alabama.

Age Demographics

The median age in Macon County is 37.8 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Macon County is $45,951. This is 26% lower than the state median of $62,027. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 41% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.1%. This is 41% 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 10.7%. This is 122% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $95,700. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $195,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Macon County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 69.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Macon County is Black or African American, making up 78.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 16.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (16.7%) is well below the state average of 63.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (78.2% vs 25.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 5.4%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.

Education

20.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% lower 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 84.2%.