Pelham, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pelham, Alabama had a total population of 24,827, the 25th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $101,094, which is 58% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 58% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Alabama.
- 47.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Alabama.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.0%.
Pelham Quick Facts
How Pelham 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 | 24,510 | 24,827 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $91,904 | $101,094 | +10.0% |
| Median home value | $278,900 | $299,800 | +7.5% |
How Pelham 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Pelham Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Shelby County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabaster | 33,917 | $91,357 | 7.1% | $261,700 |
| Calera | 17,714 | $87,194 | 7.3% | $235,300 |
| Chelsea | 16,260 | $115,337 | 2.7% | $360,000 |
| Meadowbrook | 9,117 | $141,862 | 5.5% | $423,700 |
| Brook Highland | 8,146 | $79,904 | 4.6% | $427,400 |
| Montevallo | 7,556 | $56,626 | 17.7% | $220,700 |
| Highland Lakes | 5,866 | $169,361 | 4.1% | $599,200 |
| Columbiana | 4,725 | $80,546 | 9.8% | $259,500 |
| Eagle Point | 3,110 | $151,842 | 3.2% | $493,800 |
| Indian Springs Village | 2,537 | $136,836 | 3.4% | $555,800 |
Cities Similar to Pelham
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairhope | 24,190 | $94,274 | $430,900 | 53.5% | 8.2% |
| Homewood | 27,829 | $94,485 | $558,500 | 70.9% | 8.9% |
| Trussville | 26,673 | $123,275 | $370,300 | 45.6% | 1.1% |
| Helena | 21,769 | $115,139 | $330,700 | 51.4% | 3.2% |
| Foley | 24,026 | $66,336 | $289,300 | 24.6% | 11.0% |
Population Overview
Pelham is a small city located in Alabama, within Shelby County. The total population is 24,827. It ranks as the 25th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pelham is 40.0 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pelham is $101,094. This is 58% higher than the state median of $63,999. It is also 25% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.7%. This is 57% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.0%. This is 57% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $299,800. Housing costs are 43% higher than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 83.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Pelham is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.9%. The Black or African American population (11.3%) is well below the state average of 25.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (13.9% vs 5.6%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.1% vs 1.4%).
Education
47.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Pelham in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 67% 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 96.9%. Notably, 17.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pelham, 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 Pelham, Alabama?
Pelham, Alabama has a population of 24,827 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pelham, AL?
The median household income in Pelham is $101,094, which is 25% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pelham, AL?
The poverty rate in Pelham is 6.7%. This means approximately 1,665 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pelham, Alabama?
Pelham's population is 67.2% White, 11.3% Black, 13.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pelham, AL?
The median home value in Pelham is $299,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Pelham, Alabama?
47.2% of adults (25+) in Pelham hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.