Sheffield, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sheffield, Alabama had a total population of 9,340, the 76th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $39,733, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Sheffield Quick Facts
How Sheffield 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 | 9,334 | 9,340 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $42,097 | $39,733 | -5.6% |
| Median home value | $127,100 | $133,800 | +5.3% |
How Sheffield 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+)
Sheffield Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Colbert County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle Shoals | 16,951 | $75,894 | 12.8% | $199,700 |
| Tuscumbia | 9,115 | $59,143 | 18.6% | $196,700 |
| Cherokee | 1,120 | $50,815 | 20.7% | $102,300 |
| Littleville | 932 | $55,817 | 11.4% | $142,400 |
| Leighton | 893 | $33,894 | 24.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Sheffield
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuskegee | 8,938 | $38,000 | $104,800 | 29.2% | 29.0% |
| Andalusia | 8,766 | $42,611 | $153,200 | 20.2% | 25.4% |
| Atmore | 8,334 | $38,862 | $157,800 | 10.4% | 25.0% |
| Clanton | 8,958 | $47,520 | $166,300 | 18.3% | 18.1% |
| Fairfield | 9,728 | $48,456 | $129,300 | 25.4% | 32.4% |
Population Overview
Sheffield is a small city located in Alabama, within Colbert County. The total population is 9,340. It ranks as the 76th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sheffield is 45.8 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sheffield is $39,733. This is 38% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 51% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.6%. This is 70% 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 5.2%. This is 11% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $133,800. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 60.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sheffield is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 23.7%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
18.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 87.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sheffield, 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.
Free data download: Get all Alabama city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Sheffield, Alabama?
Sheffield, Alabama has a population of 9,340 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sheffield, AL?
The median household income in Sheffield is $39,733, which is 51% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sheffield, AL?
The poverty rate in Sheffield is 26.6%. This means approximately 2,483 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sheffield, Alabama?
Sheffield's population is 67.8% White, 23.7% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sheffield, AL?
The median home value in Sheffield is $133,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Sheffield, Alabama?
18.4% of adults (25+) in Sheffield hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.