Pickens County, Alabama Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Pickens County is located in Alabama with a total population of 18,843. It is the 49th most populous county out of 67 in Alabama.

Age Demographics

The median age in Pickens County is 42.5 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 39.3 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Pickens County is $47,014. This is 24% lower than the state median of $62,027. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 40% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.6%. This is 44% 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 6.5%. This is 35% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $123,300. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $195,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Pickens County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 69.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Pickens County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 39.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (39.1% vs 25.9%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.

Education

13.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% 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 83.9%.