Perry County, Alabama Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Perry County is located in Alabama with a total population of 8,231. It is the 66th most populous county out of 67 in Alabama.

Age Demographics

The median age in Perry County is 42.5 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 39.3 years. 10.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Perry County is $34,368. This is 45% lower than the state median of $62,027. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 56% lower. The poverty rate stands at 31.2%. This is 100% 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 15.8%. This is 227% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $87,700. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $195,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Perry County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Perry County is Black or African American, making up 71.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 28.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (28.0%) is well below the state average of 63.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (71.0% vs 25.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.4%.

Education

16.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 82.2%.