Opelika, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Opelika, Alabama had a total population of 32,820, the 17th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $65,004, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.0%.
Key Takeaways
- 36.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Alabama.
Opelika Quick Facts
How Opelika 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 | 30,232 | 32,820 | +8.6% |
| Median household income | $59,639 | $65,004 | No clear change (+9.0%) |
| Median home value¹ | $186,206 | $241,800 | +29.9% |
| Median gross rent | $927 | $950 | No clear change (+2.5%) |
How Opelika 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: 51.3%
- Black: 37.7%
- Hispanic: 7.2%
- Asian: 1.8%
- Other: 0.3%
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+)
- < High School: 10.8%
- HS Diploma: 23.5%
- Some College: 20.1%
- Associate's: 9.3%
- Bachelor's: 22.2%
- Graduate+: 14.2%
Opelika Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Lee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 80,594 | $63,668 | 25.4% | $364,800 |
| Phenix City | 38,499 | $50,053 | 24.5% | $170,300 |
| Smiths Station | 5,496 | $64,669 | 14.1% | $203,300 |
| Notasulga | 1,050 | $42,411 | 37.3% | $137,500 |
| Waverly | 315 | $81,953 | 0.6% | $377,800 |
| Loachapoka | 223 | $41,985 | 21.5% | $220,200 |
Cities Similar to Opelika
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northport | 31,218 | $80,913 | $282,600 | 38.2% | 12.3% |
| Athens | 29,002 | $69,922 | $270,000 | 31.4% | 12.2% |
| Enterprise | 29,505 | $73,125 | $202,900 | 25.1% | 16.5% |
| Alabaster | 33,917 | $91,357 | $261,700 | 41.1% | 7.1% |
| Gadsden | 33,374 | $40,345 | $116,800 | 15.5% | 28.1% |
Population Overview
Opelika is a mid-sized community located in Alabama, within Lee County. The total population is 32,820. It ranks as the 17th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Opelika is 39.9 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Opelika is $65,004. This is 2% higher than the state median of $63,999. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.0%. This is 3% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $241,800. Housing costs are 15% higher than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 69.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Opelika is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 37.7%.
Education
36.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Opelika in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 28% higher 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 89.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Opelika, 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 Opelika, Alabama?
Opelika, Alabama has a population of 32,820 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Opelika, AL?
The median household income in Opelika is $65,004, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Opelika, AL?
The poverty rate in Opelika is 16.0%. This means approximately 5,169 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Opelika, Alabama?
Opelika's population is 51.3% White, 37.7% Black, 7.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Opelika, AL?
The median home value in Opelika is $241,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Opelika, Alabama?
36.4% of adults (25+) in Opelika hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.