Phenix City, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Phenix City, Alabama had a total population of 38,499, the 14th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $50,053, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.5%.
Phenix City Quick Facts
How Phenix City 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 | 36,516 | 38,499 | +5.4% |
| Median household income | $51,799 | $50,053 | No clear change (-3.4%) |
| Median home value¹ | $158,761 | $170,300 | No clear change (+7.3%) |
| Median gross rent | $1,025 | $967 | No clear change (-5.7%) |
How Phenix City 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: 40.3%
- Black: 47.6%
- Hispanic: 5.7%
- Asian: 1.2%
- Other: 0.1%
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: 10.2%
- HS Diploma: 29.3%
- Some College: 25.6%
- Associate's: 11.7%
- Bachelor's: 15.3%
- Graduate+: 7.9%
Phenix City 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 |
| Opelika | 32,820 | $65,004 | 16.0% | $241,800 |
| 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 Phenix City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | 41,701 | $52,174 | $196,300 | 34.5% | 17.9% |
| Gadsden | 33,374 | $40,345 | $116,800 | 15.5% | 28.1% |
| Prattville | 39,482 | $81,337 | $214,600 | 36.6% | 10.7% |
| Opelika | 32,820 | $65,004 | $241,800 | 36.4% | 16.0% |
| Alabaster | 33,917 | $91,357 | $261,700 | 41.1% | 7.1% |
Population Overview
Phenix City is a mid-sized community located in Alabama, within Lee County. The total population is 38,499. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Phenix City is 35.6 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Phenix City is $50,053. This is 22% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.5%. This is 57% 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 5.4%. This is 14% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $170,300. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 52.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Phenix City is Black or African American, making up 47.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 40.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (47.6% vs 25.6%).
Education
23.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 89.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Phenix City, 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 Phenix City, Alabama?
Phenix City, Alabama has a population of 38,499 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Phenix City, AL?
The median household income in Phenix City is $50,053, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Phenix City, AL?
The poverty rate in Phenix City is 24.5%. This means approximately 9,287 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Phenix City, Alabama?
Phenix City's population is 40.3% White, 47.6% Black, 5.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Phenix City, AL?
The median home value in Phenix City is $170,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Phenix City, Alabama?
23.2% of adults (25+) in Phenix City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.