Ray, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ray, Alabama had a total population of 548, the 410th largest community in Alabama, with a median household income of $77,951, which is 22% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Unemployment rate of 28.9% is notably above the national average.
Ray Quick Facts
How Ray 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 | 488 | 548 | +12.3% |
| Median household income | $68,487 | $77,951 | +13.8% |
| Median home value | $142,800 | $137,500 | -3.7% |
How Ray 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ray Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Coosa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stewartville | 1,629 | $87,574 | 11.0% | $94,100 |
| Goodwater | 1,445 | $39,511 | 36.4% | $58,900 |
| Rockford | 622 | $43,125 | 8.7% | $93,000 |
| Nixburg | 256 | $52,621 | 11.3% | N/A |
| Hanover | 248 | $108,929 | 0.0% | $9,999 |
| Mount Olive (Coosa County) | 208 | N/A | 11.5% | N/A |
| Hissop | 206 | $65,592 | 26.7% | N/A |
| Weogufka | 184 | $67,917 | 9.2% | N/A |
| Kellyton | 106 | $60,625 | 9.4% | $108,900 |
| Equality | 93 | N/A | 0.0% | $295,000 |
Cities Similar to Ray
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranburne | 556 | $81,625 | $238,300 | 31.6% | 3.6% |
| West Point | 543 | $68,365 | $221,600 | 11.6% | 10.1% |
| Arley | 523 | $71,818 | $98,600 | 21.5% | 30.4% |
| Silas | 559 | $66,250 | $87,600 | 7.5% | 10.3% |
| Highland Lake | 503 | $71,563 | $285,500 | 29.7% | 10.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 548, Ray's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Ray is a small community located in Alabama, within Coosa County. The total population is 548. It ranks as the 410th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ray is 41.9 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 39.3 years. Only 8.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ray is $77,951. This is 22% higher than the state median of $63,999. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.5%. This is 52% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. The unemployment rate is 28.9%. This is 514% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $137,500. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $209,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Ray is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ray is Black or African American, making up 54.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 43.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (54.0% vs 25.6%).
Education
18.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 83.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ray, 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 Ray, Alabama?
Ray, Alabama has a population of 548 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ray, AL?
The median household income in Ray is $77,951, which is 3% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ray, AL?
The poverty rate in Ray is 7.5%. This means approximately 41 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ray, Alabama?
Ray's population is 43.6% White, 54.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ray, AL?
The median home value in Ray is $137,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Ray, Alabama?
18.1% of adults (25+) in Ray hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.