Talladega, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Talladega, Alabama had a total population of 14,760, the 50th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $44,198, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.6% is notably above the national average.
Talladega Quick Facts
How Talladega 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 | 15,041 | 14,760 | -1.9% |
| Median household income | $46,820 | $44,198 | -5.6% |
| Median home value | $116,600 | $121,900 | +4.5% |
How Talladega 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Talladega Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Talladega County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sylacauga | 12,309 | $50,017 | 21.0% | $161,200 |
| 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 Talladega
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander City | 14,606 | $47,022 | $155,000 | 20.2% | 25.7% |
| Fort Payne | 14,927 | $47,479 | $157,000 | 17.3% | 32.5% |
| Ozark | 14,327 | $48,944 | $148,900 | 18.4% | 28.1% |
| Jacksonville | 14,437 | $51,814 | $185,500 | 31.2% | 23.1% |
| Scottsboro | 15,712 | $53,929 | $190,400 | 22.6% | 18.6% |
Population Overview
Talladega is a small city located in Alabama, within Talladega County. The total population is 14,760. It ranks as the 50th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Talladega is 40.9 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Talladega is $44,198. This is 31% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.6%. This is 64% 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 12.6%. This is 169% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $121,900. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $209,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Talladega is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 55.4% 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 Talladega is Black or African American, making up 50.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 41.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (50.0% vs 25.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 5.6%.
Education
13.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 77.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Talladega, 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 Talladega, Alabama?
Talladega, Alabama has a population of 14,760 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Talladega, AL?
The median household income in Talladega is $44,198, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Talladega, AL?
The poverty rate in Talladega is 25.6%. This means approximately 3,083 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Talladega, Alabama?
Talladega's population is 41.1% White, 50.0% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Talladega, AL?
The median home value in Talladega is $121,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Talladega, Alabama?
13.6% of adults (25+) in Talladega hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.