Wadley, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wadley, Alabama had a total population of 753, the 374th largest town in Alabama. The poverty rate is 27.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Wadley Quick Facts
How Wadley 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 | 837 | 753 | -10.0% |
| Median home value | $191,100 | $198,600 | +3.9% |
How Wadley 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+)
Wadley Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Randolph County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke | 5,336 | $47,105 | 12.5% | $154,300 |
| Wedowee | 899 | $41,875 | 20.0% | $179,700 |
| Woodland | 682 | $170,223 | 7.3% | $416,700 |
| Rock Mills | 387 | $25,071 | 34.1% | $74,100 |
| Morrison Crossroads | 151 | N/A | 17.9% | $151,800 |
| Graham | 41 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Wadley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Site | 750 | $61,250 | $171,900 | 21.1% | 17.1% |
| Allgood | 759 | $73,750 | $104,600 | 7.8% | 29.2% |
| Minor | 762 | $42,321 | $94,900 | 5.9% | 1.2% |
| Gilbertown | 770 | $70,156 | $160,400 | 10.6% | 11.7% |
| Belle Fontaine | 772 | $107,857 | $227,800 | 8.1% | 8.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 753, Wadley's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Wadley is a small community located in Alabama, within Randolph County. The total population is 753. It ranks as the 374th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wadley is 21.5 years. This is 45% lower than the state median of 39.3 years. Only 14.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 27.2%. This is 74% 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 6.3%. This is 34% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $198,600. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $209,900. 56.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wadley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 20.7%.
Education
27.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% 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 89.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wadley, 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 Wadley, Alabama?
Wadley, Alabama has a population of 753 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wadley, AL?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Wadley — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wadley, AL?
The poverty rate in Wadley is 27.2%. This means approximately 122 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wadley, Alabama?
Wadley's population is 59.4% White, 20.7% Black, 6.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wadley, AL?
The median home value in Wadley is $198,600.
How educated is Wadley, Alabama?
27.9% of adults (25+) in Wadley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.