Muscle Shoals city, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Muscle Shoals city, Alabama has a total population of 16,670, the 40th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $70,927, which is 14% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.4%.
Muscle Shoals city Quick Facts
How Muscle Shoals 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 52 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Muscle Shoals city Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Cities Similar to Muscle Shoals city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Millbrook city | 16,923 | $64,522 | $193,600 | 32.5% | 9.1% |
| Hueytown city | 16,541 | $62,362 | $142,900 | 23.2% | 16.3% |
| Gulf Shores city | 15,785 | $73,873 | $367,000 | 38.0% | 11.4% |
| Hartselle city | 15,586 | $67,863 | $192,200 | 29.3% | 12.6% |
| Saraland city | 16,304 | $60,577 | $210,500 | 24.2% | 9.3% |
Population Overview
Muscle Shoals city is a small city located in Alabama. The total population is 16,670. It ranks as the 40th most populous out of 589 cities and towns in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Muscle Shoals city is 37.2 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Muscle Shoals city is $70,927. 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 10.4%. This is 34% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $198,300. Housing costs are 2% higher than the state median of $195,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Muscle Shoals city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 69.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Muscle Shoals city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.4%.
Education
24.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% 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 90.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Muscle Shoals 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 Muscle Shoals city, Alabama?
Muscle Shoals city, Alabama has a population of 16,670 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Muscle Shoals city, AL?
The median household income in Muscle Shoals city is $70,927, which is 10% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Muscle Shoals city, AL?
The poverty rate in Muscle Shoals city is 10.4%. This means approximately 1,704 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Muscle Shoals city, Alabama?
Muscle Shoals city's population is 77.1% White, 13.4% Black, 4.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Muscle Shoals city, AL?
The median home value in Muscle Shoals city is $198,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Muscle Shoals city, Alabama?
24.4% of adults (25+) in Muscle Shoals city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.