Rainbow City, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rainbow City, Alabama had a total population of 10,284, the 68th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $56,398, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 10.3% is notably above the national average.
Rainbow City Quick Facts
How Rainbow City 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 | 10,213 | 10,284 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $59,659 | $56,398 | -5.5% |
| Median home value | $203,600 | $223,000 | +9.5% |
How Rainbow 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
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rainbow City Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Etowah County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gadsden | 33,374 | $40,345 | 28.1% | $116,800 |
| Boaz | 10,814 | $49,846 | 19.4% | $199,200 |
| Attalla | 5,775 | $59,215 | 11.3% | $126,100 |
| Hokes Bluff | 4,547 | $74,968 | 4.0% | $196,400 |
| Sardis City | 2,046 | $67,721 | 12.1% | $225,700 |
| Carlisle-Rockledge | 1,993 | $60,360 | 21.7% | $115,900 |
| Whitesboro | 1,918 | $67,188 | 3.9% | $154,400 |
| Coats Bend | 1,630 | $70,409 | 18.0% | $149,600 |
| Altoona | 1,252 | $43,056 | 23.2% | $114,100 |
| Tidmore Bend | 1,192 | $60,729 | 14.6% | $162,500 |
Cities Similar to Rainbow City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley | 10,277 | $51,661 | $140,800 | 17.1% | 14.9% |
| Russellville | 10,799 | $58,231 | $123,800 | 15.2% | 20.0% |
| Saks | 10,681 | $49,753 | $116,400 | 17.9% | 20.0% |
| Boaz | 10,814 | $49,846 | $199,200 | 15.8% | 19.4% |
| Fairfield | 9,728 | $48,456 | $129,300 | 25.4% | 32.4% |
Population Overview
Rainbow City is a small city located in Alabama, within Etowah County. The total population is 10,284. It ranks as the 68th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rainbow City is 41.7 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rainbow City is $56,398. This is 12% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.0%. This is 36% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. The unemployment rate is 10.3%. This is 120% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $223,000. Housing costs are 6% higher than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 65.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rainbow City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 11.8%. The Black or African American population (11.8%) is well below the state average of 25.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 5.6%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.4% vs 1.4%).
Education
20.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 83.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rainbow 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 Rainbow City, Alabama?
Rainbow City, Alabama has a population of 10,284 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rainbow City, AL?
The median household income in Rainbow City is $56,398, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rainbow City, AL?
The poverty rate in Rainbow City is 10.0%. This means approximately 1,028 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rainbow City, Alabama?
Rainbow City's population is 79.1% White, 11.8% Black, 2.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rainbow City, AL?
The median home value in Rainbow City is $223,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Rainbow City, Alabama?
20.8% of adults (25+) in Rainbow City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.