Vernon, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Vernon, Alabama had a total population of 1,714, the 243rd largest town in Alabama, with a median household income of $27,967, which is 56% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 56% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.1% is notably above the national average.
Vernon Quick Facts
How Vernon 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 | 1,819 | 1,714 | -5.8% |
| Median household income | $27,174 | $27,967 | +2.9% |
| Median home value | $112,500 | $103,800 | -7.7% |
How Vernon 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Vernon Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Lamar County
Cities Similar to Vernon
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florala | 1,822 | N/A | $91,600 | 7.8% | 16.5% |
| Midland City | 1,603 | $28,438 | $150,400 | 7.8% | 30.6% |
| Collinsville | 1,781 | $31,652 | $59,000 | 6.7% | 26.0% |
| Samson | 1,669 | $33,424 | $91,100 | 7.2% | 37.4% |
| Uniontown | 1,798 | $33,750 | $67,300 | 11.7% | 43.7% |
Population Overview
Vernon is a small community located in Alabama, within Lamar County. The total population is 1,714. It ranks as the 243rd most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Vernon is 38.3 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Vernon is $27,967. This is 56% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 65% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.8%. This is 123% 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 12.1%. This is 158% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $103,800. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 46.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Vernon is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 18.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 5.6%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
9.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% 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 90.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Vernon, 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 Vernon, Alabama?
Vernon, Alabama has a population of 1,714 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Vernon, AL?
The median household income in Vernon is $27,967, which is 65% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Vernon, AL?
The poverty rate in Vernon is 34.8%. This means approximately 596 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Vernon, Alabama?
Vernon's population is 76.5% White, 18.9% Black, 2.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Vernon, AL?
The median home value in Vernon is $103,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Vernon, Alabama?
9.7% of adults (25+) in Vernon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.