Malvern, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Malvern, Alabama had a total population of 1,913, the 230th largest town in Alabama, with a median household income of $43,854, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 35.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (35.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Malvern Quick Facts
How Malvern Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582 | 1,913 | No clear change (+20.9%) |
| Median household income | $51,141 | $43,854 | No clear change (-14.2%) |
| Median home value¹ | $116,056 | $129,400 | No clear change (+11.5%) |
| Median gross rent | $809 | $906 | No clear change (+12.0%) |
How Malvern Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 79.6%
- Black: 6.3%
- Hispanic: 10.8%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.0%
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+)
- < High School: 22.7%
- HS Diploma: 41.1%
- Some College: 14.3%
- Associate's: 9.8%
- Bachelor's: 9.6%
- Graduate+: 2.5%
Malvern Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Geneva County
Cities Similar to Malvern
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florala | 1,822 | N/A | $91,600 | 7.8% | 16.5% |
| Ashland | 1,797 | $42,308 | $159,300 | 16.8% | 25.0% |
| Linden | 1,961 | $38,667 | $92,400 | 15.8% | 23.1% |
| Slocomb | 1,952 | $38,056 | $109,100 | 9.3% | 32.8% |
| Bayou La Batre | 1,881 | $37,679 | $87,800 | 8.8% | 29.7% |
Population Overview
Malvern is a small community located in Alabama, within Geneva County. The total population is 1,913. It ranks as the 230th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Malvern is 37.0 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Malvern is $43,854. This is 31% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 35.5%. This is 127% 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 2.1%. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $129,400. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 72.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Malvern is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.8%. The Black or African American population (6.3%) is well below the state average of 25.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (10.8% vs 5.6%).
Education
12.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 77.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Malvern, 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 Malvern, Alabama?
Malvern, Alabama has a population of 1,913 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Malvern, AL?
The median household income in Malvern is $43,854, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Malvern, AL?
The poverty rate in Malvern is 35.5%. This means approximately 677 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Malvern, Alabama?
Malvern's population is 79.6% White, 6.3% Black, 10.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Malvern, AL?
The median home value in Malvern is $129,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Malvern, Alabama?
12.1% of adults (25+) in Malvern hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.