Phenix City city, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Phenix City city is a mid-sized community located in Alabama. The total population is 38,477. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 589 cities and towns in Alabama.

Age Demographics

The median age in Phenix City city is 35.8 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Phenix City city is $49,715. This is 20% lower than the state median of $62,027. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 37% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.8%. This is 52% 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 5.9%. This is 23% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $160,000. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $195,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 51.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 69.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Phenix City city is Black or African American, making up 45.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 41.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (45.6% vs 25.9%).

Education

23.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% 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 88.6%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Phenix City 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.