Sylacauga, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sylacauga, Alabama had a total population of 12,309, the 60th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $50,017, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Sylacauga Quick Facts
How Sylacauga 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 | 12,388 | 12,309 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $46,384 | $50,017 | +7.8% |
| Median home value | $156,800 | $161,200 | +2.8% |
How Sylacauga 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+)
Sylacauga Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Talladega County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talladega | 14,760 | $44,198 | 25.6% | $121,900 |
| Lincoln | 7,305 | $57,145 | 15.6% | $187,200 |
| Childersburg | 4,655 | $52,338 | 20.6% | $133,500 |
| Munford | 1,508 | $42,284 | 19.8% | $78,200 |
| Fayetteville | 1,154 | $100,255 | 7.3% | $298,500 |
| Mignon | 865 | $32,818 | 31.6% | $37,500 |
| Oak Grove | 856 | $47,857 | 7.2% | $165,900 |
| Waldo | 239 | $29,000 | 25.1% | $61,700 |
| Talladega Springs | 166 | $73,125 | 15.1% | $153,900 |
| Bon Air | 141 | $38,000 | 30.7% | $73,000 |
Cities Similar to Sylacauga
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eufaula | 12,584 | $47,392 | $139,900 | 15.1% | 20.4% |
| Boaz | 10,814 | $49,846 | $199,200 | 15.8% | 19.4% |
| Saks | 10,681 | $49,753 | $116,400 | 17.9% | 20.0% |
| Ozark | 14,327 | $48,944 | $148,900 | 18.4% | 28.1% |
| Jacksonville | 14,437 | $51,814 | $185,500 | 31.2% | 23.1% |
Population Overview
Sylacauga is a small city located in Alabama, within Talladega County. The total population is 12,309. It ranks as the 60th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sylacauga is 37.4 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sylacauga is $50,017. This is 22% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.0%. This is 34% 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 41% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $161,200. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 55.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sylacauga is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 33.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 5.6%.
Education
17.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% 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 85.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sylacauga, 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 Sylacauga, Alabama?
Sylacauga, Alabama has a population of 12,309 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sylacauga, AL?
The median household income in Sylacauga is $50,017, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sylacauga, AL?
The poverty rate in Sylacauga is 21.0%. This means approximately 2,524 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sylacauga, Alabama?
Sylacauga's population is 61.3% White, 33.7% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sylacauga, AL?
The median home value in Sylacauga is $161,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Sylacauga, Alabama?
17.9% of adults (25+) in Sylacauga hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.