Russell County, Alabama Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Russell County is located in Alabama with a total population of 58,858. It is the 24th most populous county out of 67 in Alabama.

Age Demographics

The median age in Russell County is 37.2 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Russell County is $50,046. This is 19% lower than the state median of $62,027. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 36% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.3%. This is 42% 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 6.7%. This is 38% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $152,300. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $195,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 60.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 69.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Russell County is Black or African American, making up 45.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 44.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (45.1% vs 25.9%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.

Education

16.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 85.8%.