Muscle Shoals, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Muscle Shoals, Alabama had a total population of 16,951, the 40th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $75,894, which is 19% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
Muscle Shoals Quick Facts
How Muscle Shoals 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 | 16,670 | 16,951 | +1.7% |
| Median household income | $70,927 | $75,894 | +7.0% |
| Median home value | $198,300 | $199,700 | +0.7% |
How Muscle Shoals 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Muscle Shoals Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Colbert County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Leighton | 893 | $33,894 | 24.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Muscle Shoals
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf Shores | 16,401 | $78,188 | $382,700 | 39.9% | 11.5% |
| Millbrook | 17,189 | $70,313 | $207,100 | 30.9% | 7.8% |
| Gardendale | 16,534 | $82,192 | $252,600 | 31.2% | 4.3% |
| Hartselle | 15,847 | $76,290 | $203,800 | 27.9% | 13.3% |
| Calera | 17,714 | $87,194 | $235,300 | 37.1% | 7.3% |
Population Overview
Muscle Shoals is a small city located in Alabama, within Colbert County. The total population is 16,951. It ranks as the 40th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Muscle Shoals is 38.0 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Muscle Shoals is $75,894. This is 19% higher than the state median of $63,999. It is also 6% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.8%. This is 18% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.3%. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $199,700. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $209,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Muscle Shoals is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Muscle Shoals is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.3%.
Education
24.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% 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 90.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Muscle Shoals, 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 Muscle Shoals, Alabama?
Muscle Shoals, Alabama has a population of 16,951 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Muscle Shoals, AL?
The median household income in Muscle Shoals is $75,894, which is 6% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Muscle Shoals, AL?
The poverty rate in Muscle Shoals is 12.8%. This means approximately 2,129 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Muscle Shoals, Alabama?
Muscle Shoals's population is 77.3% White, 15.3% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Muscle Shoals, AL?
The median home value in Muscle Shoals is $199,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Muscle Shoals, Alabama?
24.0% of adults (25+) in Muscle Shoals hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.